Localization Team Lead Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Cupertino, California, United States Corporate Functions

Imagine what you could do here! The people here at Apple don’t just create products — they build the kind of wonder that’s revolutionized entire industries. It’s the diversity of those people and their ideas that inspires the innovation that runs through everything we do, from amazing technology to industry-leading environmental efforts. At Apple, inclusion is a shared responsibility, and we work together to foster a culture where everyone belongs and is inspired to do their best work.Apple’s worldwide Retail Engagement, Marketing and Merchandising (REMM) team creates and delivers programs, campaigns, initiatives, and experiences that help Apple Retail’s customers and teams discover, buy, and go further with Apple products and services. These efforts increase awareness, drive conversion, and grow affinity for Apple.In this role, you'll be responsible for leading the design, implementation and ongoing refinement of an AI-powered language technology stack, future thinking the localization production ecosystem for dynamic content generation and global immediacy. The technology ecosystem will be designed for precision and scale, seamlessly integrating across content creation, localization orchestration workflows and language assets and deployment environments.You will work hands‑on with cross-functional partners to analyze existing workflows, identify opportunities for automation and modernization, and help define how emerging language technologies (MT, LLMs, post‑editing frameworks, quality evaluation methods) can be effectively integrated into orchestration platforms and Apple Retail content systems.

This role leads the localization technology strategy and platform ecosystem supporting Apple's worldwide Retail and People organizations. You will own the architecture, implementation, and continuous improvement of scalable localization workflows — integrating translation management, machine translation, AI services, and enterprise content systems. Working across a broad set of cross-functional partners, you will drive technology modernization, operational excellence, and global readiness across a complex, high‑impact and dynamic content landscape.

• Own and evolve the end-to-end localization technology strategy, designing modern architectures that integrate TMS, CMS, machine translation, and AI services into resilient, scalable workflows
• Lead internationalization (i18n) strategy and define comprehensive quality assurance programs — including systems testing, i18n validation, and in-context LQA — embedded throughout the software development lifecycle
• Evaluate emerging localization technologies and AI capabilities, developing business cases and roadmaps that deliver measurable operational and business value
• Partner with Retail Technology, IS&T, Procurement, Legal, Information Security, and the broader Apple Localization community to align strategy, governance, and roadmap priorities across the organization
• Design and implement workflow automation solutions that streamline content intake, routing, file handling, quality assurance, and reporting at scale
• Establish and enforce technical governance, standards, and best practices across localization platforms, integrations, and operational processes
• Define and monitor platform performance metrics and operational KPIs to continuously optimize the localization technology ecosystem
• Drive continuous improvement through automation, APIs, orchestration, and systems integration to improve quality, speed, and scalability
• Lead organizational change management for new localization technologies, including adoption strategies, enablement, and success measurement
• Lead and mentor team of Localization Producers that support language technology solutionsInfluence senior cross‑functional stakeholders and executive leadership through clear technology strategy, roadmap planning, and business case development

• 15+ years of progressive experience in localization technology, language engineering, or enterprise content platforms within global consumer technology or high‑profile consumer brands, with 10+ years in a people leadership role managing and mentoring teams
• Demonstrated track record of leading multi‑million dollar enterprise localization platform implementations end‑to‑end — including TMS selection, RFP processes, vendor management, and global deployment — with hands‑on experience across TMS, CAT tools, MT/AI‑enabled workflows, APIs, and enterprise SaaS platforms
• Proven experience connecting CMS platforms (e.g., Adobe Experience Manager) to translation management systems and MT providers through APIs and orchestration layers, with a history of designing scalable, automated content workflows that reduce manual handling
• Verifiable history of delivering localization, translation management, or enterprise‑level tools — evidenced by named products, platforms, or tools delivered — including authoring business requirements, metrics, and user stories for engineering and UI/UX teams
• Experience leading large cross‑functional programs partnering with engineering, product, legal, procurement, and security, with a track record of guiding complex, multi‑phase technology projects across the full development lifecycle
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Systems, Linguistics, Localization, or a related technical discipline

• Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Systems, Localization, or related field.
• Experience managing global vendors and associated budgets
• Passion for innovation and emerging AI technologies that transform global content delivery, localization quality, and operational efficiency.
• Language skills in one or more languages other than English, with a deep understanding of the linguistic challenges posed by different language families
• Ability to navigate and incorporate cultural nuances into machine translation models, ensuring translations resonate authentically with diverse global audiences

At Apple, base pay is one part of our total compensation package and is determined within a range. This provides the opportunity to progress as you grow and develop within a role. The base pay range for this role is between $195,200 and $293,800, and your base pay will depend on your skills, qualifications, experience, and location.

Apple employees also have the opportunity to become an Apple shareholder through participation in Apple’s discretionary employee stock programs. Apple employees are eligible for discretionary restricted stock unit awards, and can purchase Apple stock at a discount if voluntarily participating in Apple’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

You’ll also receive benefits including: Comprehensive medical and dental coverage, retirement benefits, a range of discounted products and free services, and for formal education related to advancing your career at Apple, reimbursement for certain educational expenses — including tuition.

Additionally, this role might be eligible for discretionary bonuses or commission payments as well as relocation.

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Note: Apple benefit, compensation and employee stock programs are subject to eligibility requirements and other terms of the applicable plan or program.

Apple is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to inclusion and diversity. We seek to promote equal opportunity for all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics. Learn more about your EEO rights as an applicant

At Apple, we believe accessibility is a fundamental human right. You’ll find that idea reflected in everything here — in our culture, our benefits and our digital tools. By welcoming as many perspectives as possible, we help you build a career where you feel like you belong.

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Apple accepts applications to this posting on an ongoing basis.