Translator 1 - Japanese / English

Overview

Do you want to join a team that's changing the world? Do you have a strong background as a Translator? Then we're looking for you! Check out the job description and apply now! Put your skills to meaningful use, gain unique experience, and work with world-class team members with diverse backgrounds and expertise who share the same vision. Join the PECNA team today!

Responsibilities

Translator I

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Meet the Recruiter: Eric Laffey

Summary:

Join us at Panasonic Energy as we expand to De Soto, Kansas, where we’re building the world’s largest lithium-ion battery factory. This is an exciting opportunity to grow your career while contributing to the future of electric vehicles. As part of our team, you’ll help push the limits of battery technology, enhancing performance and efficiency in sustainable transportation.

Our state-of-the-art facility, just outside the Kansas City Metro, will be a hub for innovation in green energy solutions. If you're passionate about sustainability and eager to contribute to the electric vehicle revolution, we invite you to be part of our dynamic team. Join us and make a meaningful impact on the future of energy and transportation.

Job Summary: 

The Translator I is responsible for providing accurate and timely translation and interpretation services to support business operations. This role translates technical and non-technical materials, facilitates communication between Japanese and English-speaking stakeholders, and ensures documents meet company quality and style standards. The position also supports production and construction teams through effective communication, terminology management, and collaboration to ensure smooth project execution.

Essential Duties:

Functional Operations:

• Translate written materials including policies, procedures, manuals, reports, presentations, proposals, and contracts between Japanese and English
• Provide real-time interpretation for meetings, conference calls, and daily communications between Japanese expatriates and domestic staff
• Compose and translate emails, reports, and other administrative documentation
• Maintain translation accuracy, consistency, and adherence to company terminology and style guides
• Utilize translation memory tools and maintain terminology databases

Performance Optimization & Continuous Improvement:

• Conduct terminology and linguistic research to improve translation consistency and quality
• Identify opportunities to improve translation workflows, tools, and processes
• Ensure timely turnaround of translations while maintaining a high level of accuracy
• Continuously enhance language proficiency and technical knowledge related to manufacturing environments

Training & Team Support:

• Provide language support and clarification to team members as needed
• Assist in onboarding or supporting team members with communication needs involving bilingual materials
• Remain flexible in supporting both primary translation duties and secondary operational needs

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Communication:

• Collaborate closely with production, construction, and engineering teams to support communication needs
• Facilitate effective communication across departments and between global stakeholders
• Support project teams to ensure alignment, timely deliverables, and clear understanding of requirements

Quality, Safety, & Compliance:

• Ensure all translated materials meet company quality, accuracy, and compliance standards
• Adhere to company safety protocols, including the use of required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in designated areas
• Demonstrate attention to detail and strong organizational skills to support production and engineering quality standards
• Comply with all workplace policies, including confidentiality and data integrity requirements

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Requirements:

• To ensure the health and safety in the workplace and for the protection of our employees, wearing PPE is a possibility and may include equipment such as a full Tyvek suit, safety shoes, gloves, safety glasses, face mask, bump cap, and a full hazmat suit that includes a respirator.

The foregoing description is not intended and should not be construed to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills and efforts or work conditions associated with the job. It is intended to be an accurate reflection of the general nature and level of the job.

Qualifications

Requirements - Required and/or Preferred

Education, Certifications, and Licenses:

Required:

• High School Diploma or GED
• Business-level proficiency in both Japanese and English (reading, writing, and speaking)

Preferred:

• Bachelor’s degree in Japanese, Linguistics, Translation, or a related field
• Technical coursework or exposure to manufacturing, engineering, or industrial environments

Essential Qualifications:

• Strong foundational understanding of translation principles (accuracy, tone, and context)
• Business-level fluency in Japanese and English with strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to translate clearly and accurately in both directions (Japanese ↔ English)
• Exposure to interpretation in academic, internship, or professional settings
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills
• Ability to manage multiple assignments and meet deadlines
• Willingness to work outside standard hours as needed to support business demands and global teams
• Ability to work in a construction or manufacturing environment and use required PPE
• Alignment to Panasonic’s seven (7) core principles (contribution to society, fairness and honesty, cooperation and team spirit, untiring effort for improvement, courtesy and humility, adaptability, gratitude)

Preferred Qualifications:

• 2+ years of translation experience through internships, co-ops, or entry-level roles in manufacturing environments
• Experience or exposure to manufacturing, automotive, electronics, or industrial environments
• Basic understanding of technical or production terminology
• Familiarity with translation tools (e.g., CAT tools, translation memory systems) is a plus
• Experience supporting cross-functional teams or projects

Physical Demands:

Physical Activities: Percentage of time (equaling 100%) during the normal workday the employee is required to:

• Sit: 30%
• Walk: 30%
• Stand: 40%

Required Lifting and Carrying: Rare (<1%), Occasional (1-33%), Frequent (34-66%), Continuous (67-100%)

For this position, the required frequency is:

• Up to 10 lbs.: Occasional
• Up to 20 lbs.: Occasional
• Up to 35 lbs.: Occasional
• Team-lift only (over 35 lbs.): Rare

Benefits & Perks - What's In It For You:

Panasonic Energy prioritizes total well-being and offers comprehensive benefits options to support physical, emotional, financial, social, and environmental health:

• Health Benefits – Offering medical, dental, vision, prescription plans, plus Health Savings Account and Flexible Spending Account options.
• Voluntary Benefits – Life, accident, critical illness, disability, legal, identity theft, and pet insurance.
• Panasonic Retirement Savings & Investment Plan (PRSIP) – 401(k) plan with company matching contributions and immediate vesting.
• Paid Time-Off Benefits – Vacation, holidays, personal days, sick leave, volunteer, and parental & caregiver leave.
• Educational Assistance – Tuition reimbursement for job-related courses after six months of service.
• Health Management and Wellbeing Programs –Lifestyle Spending Account, EAP, virtual health management, chronic condition, neurodiversity, tobacco cessation, substance abuse support, and life stage and fertility resources. Available to eligible employees starting the first day of the month following your start date. Eligibility for each benefit may vary based on employment status, location, and length of service.
• Employee Recognition Program - High5 employee recognition and awards platform, quarterly and annual employee recognition
• Annual Bonus Program - Opportunity for an annual performance-based bonus.
• On-site Food Options: Several on-site cafes, plentiful snack and beverage kitchens, revolving on-site vendor visits and employee events.

Where You'll Be:

For our onsite roles, Panasonic Energy is committed to fostering an ideal working environment that goes beyond the conventional. We understand the significance of moments that matter in your onsite experience, and we prioritize creating a workspace that not only promotes productivity but also ensures a fulfilling and positive work atmosphere. Join us at Panasonic Energy, where your onsite presence is valued, and we strive to make each moment count in your professional journey.

Who We Are:

Meet Panasonic Energy! At Panasonic Energy, you'll do work that matters as we are dedicated to transforming the world through the acceleration of sustainable energy. By producing safe, high-quality lithium-ion batteries, you become part of a team that plays a crucial role in creating technologies that move us.

Our journey began in 2017, and now, as the world's largest lithium-ion battery factory, we are expanding operations to De Soto, Kansas, providing you with the opportunity to experience career growth in more ways than one.

As an innovative thinker, you'll thrive here, as we continually push the boundaries of lithium-ion battery technology and production capabilities to enhance efficiency and performance in EVs.

Being part of Panasonic Energy means positively contributing to society, aligning with our commitment to building a better world through sustainable energy solutions.

We care about what you care about, fostering an environment where your contributions make a meaningful impact on the future of energy and transportation. Join us and be part of a team that values your work, encourages innovation, and actively contributes to a positive societal impact.

In addition to an environment that is as innovative as our products, we offer competitive salaries and benefits.

We Take Opportunity Seriously:

At Panasonic Energy, we are committed to a workplace that genuinely fosters inclusion and belonging. Fairness and Honesty have been part of our core values for more than 100 years and we are proud of our diverse culture as an equal opportunity employer.

We understand that your career search may look different than others and embrace the professional, personal, educational, and volunteer opportunities through which people gain experience. If you are actively looking or starting to explore new opportunities, submit your application!

Supplemental Information:

Pre-employment drug testing is required.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law. All qualified individuals are required to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation.

Due to the high volume of responses, we will only be able to respond to candidates of interest. All candidates must have valid authorization to work in the U.S. without restriction.

Thank you for your interest in Panasonic Energy Corporation of North America.

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