Manager, Software Localization Engineering

Manager, Software Localization Engineering
- Hybrid, Based in Madrid

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If you're looking for a dynamic, fulfilling career with flexibility and a world-class employee experience, you'll find it here. We're recognized around the world for our inclusive, meaningful culture and innovative technologies by organizations like Fast Company, Forbes, Newsweek and more.

About the job

The Localization team is looking for a Manager, Software Localization Engineering reporting to the Globalization Director to architect, scale and operate an intelligence-driven localization system that continuously evaluates, adapts, and improves multilingual product experiences for our international customers. This role presents an outstanding opportunity to combine expertise in AI-driven translation technologies with strong backend engineering and localization workflow knowledge. You will serve as the technical authority, designing advanced localization pipelines integrating TMS, NMT, and LLM capabilities into production-ready systems.

You will lead all localization engineering activities in close partnership with Localization Project Management, Localization QA, product engineering teams and internationalization stakeholders, while acting as a go-to resource across the organization.

The ideal candidate is Madrid-based with the flexibility to collaborate across time zones to deliver world-class, multilingual software

As a Manager, Software Localization Engineering, you will:

• Lead a functional team of localization engineers, driving efficiency through intelligent automation while collaborating across geographies and functions.
• Set the strategic direction of the department, provide guidance to direct reports on achieving goals, and recommend improvements to operating procedures.
• Manage all aspects of the department including teamwork, performance management and professional growth through collaboration with SAS human resources and leadership.
• Lead the team to build and improve the Continuous Localization infrastructure and services that support localization of SAS software and documentation.
• Guide the team in architecting next-generation localization workflows combining NMT and LLM-based frameworks.
• Direct the development of scalable backend services, APIs, and microservices to support automated localization workflows.
• Oversee the design of integrations between product systems, TMS platforms, content repositories, and CI/CD pipelines.
• Partner with Localization QA team to drive automation frameworks for validation and linguistic QA.
• Partner with Localization Project Managers to align engineering execution with localization strategy.
• Provide guidance to development teams on tooling, automation, and AI-enabled localization practices.
• Contribute to the evolution of shared localization tools, frameworks, and technical standards.
• Develop metrics related to localization quality, throughput, and delivery.
• Ensure all applicable security policies and processes are followed to support the organization's secure software development goals.
• Embrace curiosity, passion, authenticity and accountability. These are our values and influence everything we do.

Work Location:

based in Madrid, with 2 or 3 days per week in-office work

Required qualifications

• Minimum 6 years of experience in a technical localization management role, and 3 years of people management.
• Bachelor's degree in computer science, Business or related field;
  Master's degree preferred.
• Solid track record of leading engineering teams, setting goals, and overseeing technical projects.
• Ability to work across product teams and influence workflow adoption through clear communication and technical leadership.
• Demonstrated expertise in AI/ML technologies, especially as applied to developer tools or localization workflows.
• Solid experience with Type Script, JavaScript, Python, or similar languages.
• Experience with Translation Management Systems (TMS) tools, workflows and metrics
• Experience with Neural Machine Translation
• Experience with Git Hub Enterprise, Git Hub Actions, JIRA and Confluence
• Experience with Automated Localization testing frameworks, such as:
  Robot Framework and Playwright
• Experience developing AI/ML based tools, services, or plug-ins that support developer efficiency and global readiness.
• Ability to adjust working hours to accommodate a variety of time zones
• Equivalent combination of related education, training and experience may be considered in place of the above qualifications.

Additional competencies, knowledge and skills

• Global Perspective. Demonstrating awareness of and sensitivity to the international market, cultural, technological, political, and legal factors that impact individual and work group priorities and results; leveraging own understanding of the organization's global strategy, global business trends, and regional differences to enhance…