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Localization Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

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Localization information

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How much do localization jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 12, 2026, the average hourly pay for localization in California is $45.64, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $39.62 and $50.05 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in Localization, and why are they important?

To thrive in Localization, you need strong linguistic proficiency in at least two languages, cultural fluency, and a background in translation or localization studies. Familiarity with computer-assisted translation (CAT) tools, localization management systems, and industry-standard file formats is typically required. Attention to detail, cross-cultural communication, and adaptability are crucial soft skills for ensuring content resonates with target audiences. These abilities are essential for delivering accurate, culturally appropriate translations that maintain the integrity and effectiveness of the original content across different markets.

What is localization in the context of jobs?

Localization refers to the process of adapting content, products, or services to meet the language, cultural, and regulatory requirements of a specific target market or region. Professionals in localization work on translating text, modifying images, adjusting formats, and ensuring that everything resonates with the local audience. This process goes beyond simple translation, involving cultural adaptation and sometimes technical modifications to ensure the content is fully accessible and relevant to the intended users.

What Are Localization Jobs?

Localization jobs include translation work, anthropological study, graphic design, product and user experience testing, market research, and sales. Although translation and localization are different, translation is a key component of localization efforts, and translators are essential to the process. Cultural and sociological research is also important because product developers need to have a strong understanding of the local audience. Graphic designers play an essential role because they need to localize graphics so that they will be intelligible to distinct audiences. For example, a roadmap designed for Koreans may appear different than the same roadmap for Japanese readers.

What types of collaboration are common for localization professionals within a company?

Localization professionals frequently work closely with product managers, developers, designers, and marketing teams to ensure that content is accurately adapted for different regions. This collaborative approach helps address linguistic, cultural, and technical challenges early in the development process, ensuring a seamless user experience across markets. Effective communication and project management are key, as localization specialists often coordinate with both in-house and external translation vendors to meet tight deadlines and maintain consistency.

What is the difference between Localization vs Translation?

AspectLocalizationTranslation
DefinitionAdapting content to a specific locale, including cultural, linguistic, and functional adjustments.Converting text from one language to another without altering content for cultural context.
Skills & CertificationsLanguage proficiency, cultural knowledge, localization tools (e.g., CAT tools), sometimes certifications in localization.Language proficiency, translation certifications, familiarity with translation software.
Work EnvironmentMultilingual teams, localization projects for software, websites, products.Translation agencies, freelance, document translation for various industries.
Industry UsageCommon in software, gaming, marketing, and product localization.Used across legal, medical, technical, and general document translation.

Localization involves adapting content for a specific locale, considering cultural nuances, while translation focuses solely on converting text from one language to another. Both roles require language skills, but localization demands additional cultural and technical knowledge to ensure content resonates with the target audience.

What are the most commonly searched types of Localization jobs in California? The most popular types of Localization jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Localization jobs? Cities in California with the most Localization job openings:
Localization Translator

Localization Translator

Sony Electronics

Santa Monica, CA

$65K - $75K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 28 days ago


Job description

Aniplex of America Inc. (Santa Monica, California) is a subsidiary of Aniplex Inc. (headquartered in Tokyo, Japan), a group of Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc. and a leading provider of anime content and music production and distribution in Japan. The company's ever-growing line-up of shows include:March comes in like a lion,Blue Exorcist: Kyoto Saga, ERASED,The Asterisk War,OWARIMONOGATARI,KIZUMONOGATARI,GRANBLUE FANTASY, Eromanga Sensei, Katsugeki TOUKEN RANBU, BLEND-S, Slow Start,andRecord of Grancrest War. To learn more: http://aniplexusa.com/.

MUST BE BUSINESS PROFICIENT AND BILINGUAL IN JAPANESE

POSITION SUMMARY

The Localization Translator will work on translation and localization of Japanese games and anime titles to North America. The ideal candidate must have a passion for Japanese anime and related culture. The ideal candidate must be bilingual speaker (English and Japanese) and have strong skills in reading, writing, and communication.

The position has a HYBRID schedule. Employees are expected to work onsite in the Santa Monica office at least 2 days per week.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Under the supervision of the department manager and leads, the candidate will perform the following duties:

  • Translate text from Japanese to English

  • Check translation accuracy between Japanese and English

  • Assist with communication with domestic and oversea partners

  • Assist with tracking localization progress and schedule

  • Assist with quality assurance on physical and digital releases

  • Any additional tasks as required by the department manager

  • Honesty, trustworthiness, and ethical conduct are material requirements for the responsibilities outlined above.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR POSITION

Your qualifications and experience should include:

  • Must be fluent in English and Japanese (English native speaker preferred)

  • Must have achieved JLPT N1 certification or equivalent fluency

  • Associate or Bachelor degree in related fields or equivalent skills and knowledge

  • A minimum of 1-3 years of relevant localization experience OR a minimum of 1-3 years of video game/anime/manga translation preferred

  • Familiarity with TYPE-MOON properties is a significant bonus

  • A strong enthusiasm for and passion for Anime

  • Must have strong writing, reading and communication skills

  • Computer proficiency with Microsoft Office applications; Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.

  • Be able to work under pressure of heavy workloads and tight deadlines

  • Must be a team player

  • Must be self-motivated, self-starter, confident, energetic, and creative

  • Experience with live interpretation is a plus

Benefits:

SCA offers benefits-eligible employees (generally regular employees scheduled to work 20 or more hours a week) a comprehensive benefits program that offers coverage and support for employees and their family's physical, emotional, and financial well-being.

What we offer you:

  • Comprehensive medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage with coverage for spouses/domestic partners and child dependents, including access to a Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

  • Employee assistance plan and comprehensive behavioral health benefits

  • Fertility benefits, including, surrogacy, and adoption assistance programs

  • Basic and supplemental life insurance for employees as well as supplemental life insurance coverage for their spouses/domestic partners and children

  • Voluntary benefits such as group legal, identity theft protection, accident, and hospital indemnity insurance

  • Short-term & long-term disability plans

  • Up to 12 weeks of paid parental and caregiver leave

  • 401(k) Plan with pre-tax, Roth, and after-tax options and company match with v immediate vesting

  • Education assistance and student loan programs

Other Programs:

  • Flexible Work Arrangements, including remote and hybrid work schedules

  • Time off to include vacation, paid holidays, sick leave, Summer Fridays (early release), and a winter break between Christmas and New Year's Day (based on business needs)

  • Referral bonuses (subject to eligibility)

  • Matching gift program

  • A wide variety of employee business resource groups (EBRGs)

  • Special discounts on Sony products, offered exclusively to Sony employees

  • Employee stock purchase plan (Sony covers commissions and fees for your Sony stock purchases made through after-tax payroll deductions)

The target annualized base salary range for this position is $65,000 - $75,000.In addition to the annual base salary, this role has an annual bonus target of5%.Theindividual will be paid hourly and eligible for overtime. This range does not include any other compensation components or other benefits that an individual may be eligible for. The actual base salary offered depends on a variety of factors, which may include as applicable, the qualifications of the individual applicant for the position, years of relevant experience, specific and unique skills, level of education attained, certifications or other professional licenses held, and the location in which the applicant lives and/or from which they will be performing the job.

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All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any basis protected by applicable federal, state, or local law, ordinance, or regulation.

Disability Accommodation for Applicants to Sony Corporation of America Sony Corporation of America provides reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in job application procedures. For reasonable accommodation requests, please contact us by email at careers@sonyusa.com or by mail to: Sony Corporation of America, People Experience Department, 25 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10010. Please indicate the position you are applying for.

We are aware that unauthorized individuals or organizations may attempt to solicit personal information or payments from job applicants by impersonating our company through fraudulent job postings. We take these matters seriously but cannot control third-party websites. To protect your personal information, please verify that any job posting you respond to also appears on our official Careers page:www.sonyjobs.com. Please also be advised that we never request personal identifying information (such as Social Security numbers, bank details, or copies of identification documents) during the initial stages of our application process. If you have any doubts about the authenticity of a job posting or communication, please contactcareers@sonyusa.combefore submitting any information.

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