Fictiv Exists to Enable Hardware Innovators to Build Better Products, Faster

Fictiv exists to help product innovators create.

Fictiv is a global manufacturing and supply chain company that enables organizations to scale globally across Fictiv’s four global manufacturing centers in India, Mexico, China, and the U.S.. Companies use Fictiv to access high-quality production, optimize supply chain logistics, and mitigate supply chain risk—ensuring they can move from prototype to full-scale manufacturing with speed and confidence. To date, Fictiv has delivered more than 35 million commercial and prototype parts for industries such as aerospace, robotics, automotive, climate tech, and more, helping them innovate faster, free up precious resources, and drive profitable growth.

Location: Oakland, California (On-site)
Schedule: Full-Time | Monday–Friday
Department: Founders Office
Travel: 20% (Subject to increase as business needs arise)

Role Summary

Fictiv is transforming global manufacturing through technology, precision, and collaboration. As we enter a critical phase of integration with Misumi, we are seeking a bilingual Japanese-English Executive Communications Partner to serve as a strategic cultural and communication bridge between English and Japanese-speaking leadership teams.

This role goes far beyond translation. You will support high-impact strategic initiatives, executive communication, and cross-cultural integration — ensuring alignment, clarity, and trust during a period of major business transformation. Operating within the Founders' Office, you will work directly with executives and leaders to interpret, translate, analyze, and help push forward strategic priorities.

Impact in This Role

Success in this role means:

Strengthening trust and communication between Fictiv and Misumi leaders
Preventing misunderstandings and delays caused by language or cultural gaps
Translating materials and executive documentation accurately and efficiently
Integrating cultural norms and best practices into a unified organizational culture

What You’ll Do

Interpretation & Translation

Provide simultaneous and consecutive interpretation (English ↔ Japanese) for executive meetings, board interactions, strategy sessions, and integration work-streams
Translate business-critical documents: reports, policies, manufacturing and operational content, program updates, and executive communications with precision, efficiency, and nuance
Localize materials and assist in drafting communications with cultural and business context

Cultural & Business Integration

Act as a cultural liaison to educate U.S. and Japan teams on cultural expectations and business norms
Surface risks and strategic blockers, improving cross-functional collaboration and planning
Drive trust-building initiatives across global leadership groups

Program & Project Support

Lead integration-focused projects (e.g., localization, training programs, communication workflows)
Track progress of integration initiatives, ensuring clarity and readiness on both sides
Support executive travel planning, hosting of Japanese visitors, and onsite leadership engagement

Who You Are

Native or near-native fluency in both Japanese and English
Experienced working with senior executives and/or boards, with strong executive presence and professionalism in high-stakes environments
A self-starter with business acumen to follow and interpret conversations about topics such as, but not limited to, P&L, operations, and strategy, and handle sensitive information with discretion
Deep understanding of U.S. and Japanese business practices, ideally within manufacturing or industrial sectors
Proactive, resourceful, detail-oriented, and skilled at navigating rapidly changing priorities
Based in the San Francisco Bay Area and available on-site daily in Oakland
Demonstrated project or program management capability preferred

Why You’ll Love Working Here

Partner directly with Fictiv’s founders and executive leadership on high-visibility initiatives
Drive a successful integration between Silicon Valley and one of Japan’s leading industrial companies
Shape a stronger, unified business culture with global impact
Join a mission-driven company revolutionizing how the world manufactures

Compensation & Benefits

Salary range: $120,000 – $160,000 USD annually (experience-based)
Medical, dental, vision insurance
401(k) retirement plan
Generous paid time off & holidays
Professional development and career growth opportunities

Ready to Build the Bridge?

Join Fictiv’s Founders Office and use your language mastery, cultural intelligence, and executive communication skills to accelerate our global success.

Apply now — let’s shape the future of manufacturing together.

About Fictiv

Fictiv is transforming how the next rockets, self-driving cars, and life-saving robots are designed, developed, and delivered to customers around the world. People who succeed at Fictiv are talented, creative, and driven to achieve professional excellence and support our vision to help product innovators create.

We’re actively seeking teammates who:

Bring diverse perspectives and experience to our culture and company.
Excel at being part of a strong, empathetic team.
Thrive in an environment emphasizing respect, honesty, collaboration, and growth.
Have an ‘always learning’ mindset that celebrates learning, not just wins.
Help us continue to build a world-class organization that values the contributions of all of our teammates

We encourage applications from members of underrepresented groups, including but not limited to women, members of the LGBTQ community, people of color, people with disabilities, and veterans.

Executive Communications Partner (Interpretation - Japanese / English)

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