Technical Translator (Chinese) - Production Support
Bastrop, TX · 2+ years experience · Onsite · Posted Oct 9, 2026
At a glance
- Experience
- 2+ years experience
- Workplace
- Onsite
- Location
- Bastrop, TX
About the role
- SpaceX is seeking a permanent Technical Translator to provide high-quality interpretation and translation while building and managing a team of Mandarin translators.
- This role involves supporting Chinese-speaking equipment, installation, and process teams across advanced manufacturing programs.
Responsibilities
- Provide accurate consecutive interpretation between English-speaking SpaceX production, engineering, and leadership teams and Mandarin-speaking equipment installation, commissioning, and technical personnel
- Translate technical documents, work instructions, SOPs, manuals, specifications, and process documentation supporting equipment installation, ramp, and ongoing operations across multiple programs
- Partner directly with engineering and production teams to ensure precise communication of technical requirements, troubleshooting, process parameters, and safety information
- Own the language-support bench: source, onboard, schedule, and quality-manage both permanent staff translators and temporary/contract interpreters as needs change
- Establish and maintain translation standards, terminology glossaries, and quality expectations for manufacturing equipment, process, and production terminology
- Embed on the production floor as needed during critical installation, commissioning, training, and ramp phases, and escalate communication risks that could impact safety, quality, or schedule
- Maintain strict confidentiality of proprietary processes and equipment details while supporting continuous improvement and operational standards
- Scale interpreter coverage up or down across multi-year equipment and production activities while driving continuous improvement in language-support processes
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline (chemical, materials, mechanical, electrical, or other engineering discipline)
- Native or near-native fluency in Chinese (Mandarin) and professional fluency in English (spoken and written)
- 2+ years of professional experience in technical interpretation, technical translation, or a closely related technical communication role
Preferred qualifications
- Advanced degree (Master’s or PhD) in chemical engineering, materials science, or a related technical field
- Prior experience supporting manufacturing, chemical process, equipment installation, commissioning, or high-volume production environments
- Experience sourcing, onboarding, or quality-managing permanent staff and temporary/contract technical personnel
- Strong ability to rapidly learn complex technical processes and convey them accurately under time pressure
- Familiarity with lean manufacturing, production metrics (yield, throughput, OEE), or industrial/chemical process environments
- Demonstrated organizational skills and comfort operating in a fast-paced, multi-shift production setting
Workplace
- Ability to work on-site in an industrial manufacturing environment
