German Language Specialist – Life Sciences & Medical Devices

Work Schedule

Environmental Conditions

Job Description

Thermo Fisher Scientific Language Services is expanding its Language Specialist team to support biotech, medical device, and product-focused clients. We are seeking an experienced German Language Specialist with a strong technical/medical background and proven language lead or quality lead experience.

This role goes beyond translation and focuses on linguistic governance, external linguist alignment, terminology oversight, and final quality validation across complex technical documentation.

Essential Functions

• Acting as linguistic lead for German life sciences and medical device content.

• Coordinating and managing the final linguistic quality of assigned projects to ensure compliance with client, regulatory, and formatting standards.

• Aligning and guiding external linguists on client-specific instructions, terminology, tone, and formatting requirements.

• Performing final QA and LSO validation of high-impact deliverables.

• Reviewing and quality checking content such as:

  • Instructions for Use (IFUs) for life sciences and diagnostic products

  • Technical documentation for laboratory instruments and reagents

  • Safety and labeling content

  • Technical data sheets and product specifications

• Developing, maintaining, and governing terminology databases and style guides.

• Running and maintaining language assets such as translation memories.

• Monitoring outsourced translations using CAT/TMS tools and ensuring consistency across suppliers.

• Analyzing linguistic quality issues and implementing continuous improvement plans in collaboration with Project Management.

• Performing occasional linguistic tasks including translation, revision, and implementation of client feedback.

Education and Experience Requirements:
• Bachelor's degree in translations, linguistics or language studies with significant translation studies from a recognized institution or higher education.
• Bachelor's degree in another field and 2 years of translation experience (preferred in medical device/biotech translation)
• If no Bachelor's degree, 5 years of translation experience (preferred in medical device/biotech translation).

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Native-level German proficiency.

• Proven experience in medical device, life sciences, or medical translation; clinical translation experience is considered an asset.

• Demonstrated experience as Language Lead, Quality Lead, or senior reviewer.

• Strong knowledge of IFUs and medical device regulatory documentation.

• Advanced CAT/TMS tool experience.

• Proven terminology and translation memory management expertise.

• Strong analytical skills and attention to detail. Scientifically curious and motivated to deepen product understanding.

• Excellent organizational, communication, and stakeholder management skills.

• Proficiency in MS Office Suite.