Software localization engineering
Description
Localization engineering bridges language and code. Engineers design workflows, automate tasks and ensure that localized versions of software build and function correctly. Their work covers file preparation, string extraction, encoding management, automation scripts and integration with Translation Management Systems (TMS).
They also handle pseudo-localization to test internationalization readiness, fix character-set or formatting issues, and manage version control across multiple releases. Effective localization engineering allows developers and translators to collaborate without disrupting core code – reducing rework and accelerating time to market. As software delivery becomes continuous, localization engineering now forms part of DevOps pipelines, ensuring every release can ship globally on day one.
Example use cases
- Readiness: Detect and resolve locale-sensitivity or hard-coded string issues.
- Automation: Connect translation tools to source repositories for continuous localization.
- Builds: Generate localized builds and verify compiled resources.
- Testing: Coordinate linguistic and functional testing cycles.
- Integration: Implement APIs and connectors between content, translation and development platforms.
Key benefits
RWS perspective
At RWS, software localization engineering is at the core of how we deliver complex, multilingual projects quickly and accurately. Our engineering specialists work alongside linguists and developers to automate processes, configure tools and maintain quality at scale.
We integrate Trados and Language Weaver within continuous localization environments, connecting directly to development systems for seamless updates. Our engineers also perform internationalization assessments, build custom automation scripts and support localization testing to ensure flawless delivery. This Human + Technology approach transforms localization from a manual task into an intelligent, repeatable system – helping organizations like Netgear launch software faster, with consistent quality and user experience worldwide.