Technical Translator

About us

The International Institute of Refrigeration (IIR) is an intergovernmental organisation with 59 member countries across all world regions. The IIR fosters scientific collaboration and advances knowledge on all aspects of refrigeration and heat pumping technologies, contributing to a sustainable future for all.

Headquartered in Paris, the organisation includes a 15-person staff and a global network of more than 300 experts with unparalleled expertise in the refrigeration and heat-pump sectors.

Job Summary

The Technical Translator (EN–FR / FR–EN) will ensure high-quality translation and linguistic consistency across the IIR's scientific, technical, and institutional communications. Working closely with experts, engineers, and the editorial team, the translator will translate and proofread specialised documents related to refrigeration, heat pumps, sustainability, and thermodynamic technologies.

This role is essential to ensuring the clarity, accuracy, and international reach of the IIR's work, including but not limited to publications, scientific proceedings, reports, standards, event materials, and digital content.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities

1/ Technical Translation & Terminology Management

• Translate scientific and technical documents from English to French and French to English, including:
• IIR Publications
• STC reports, working group documents, and technical statements
• Scientific papers and conference proceedings
• Guidelines, manuals, and standards
• Website and digital content
• Communication and institutional documents
• Ensure consistency with IIR terminology, style, and scientific accuracy.
• Maintain and update a technical terminology database in collaboration with experts and editorial staff.
• Creation of glossaries when needed to support interpretation of events/conferences.
• Proofread and revise translations delivered internally or by external suppliers.

2/ Editorial & Content Support

• Collaborate with the editorial team to prepare and finalise IIR publications (journals, books, brochures).
• Review English/French texts for clarity, readability, and coherence.
• Assist in preparing bilingual content for newsletters, social media, and promotional materials.
• Support quality control for content in event materials, websites, and institutional reports.

3/ Collaboration with Scientific and Technical Council (STC)

• Work closely with STC experts to ensure accurate translation of specialised concepts such as refrigeration, cryogenics, heat pumps, cooling technologies, and related sustainability topics.
• Participate in meetings as needed to discuss terminology, context, or document specifications.
• Support bilingual communication between experts, commissions, and working groups.

4/ Support for Conferences & Events

• Translate event-related documents (programmes, abstracts, calls for papers, press releases).
• Assist in the preparation of bilingual conference materials for IIR flagship events, including and not limited to:
• International Congress of Refrigeration (ICR)
• Gustav Lorentzen Conference on Natural Refrigerants
• Cold Chain & Sustainability Conferences
• PCM & Working Group Meetings
• Ensure linguistic consistency across conference proceedings and digital platforms.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's/Master's in Translation, Linguistics, Technical Communication, Engineering, or related fields.

Experience

• Minimum 5 years of experience in technical translation (EN–FR / FR–EN).
• Experience with scientific or engineering content strongly preferred (refrigeration, energy, thermodynamics, HVAC, sustainability, or related fields).

Skills

• Excellent command of English and French (native French).
• Proven ability to understand and translate complex scientific and technical concepts.
• Strong attention to detail, consistency, and terminology accuracy.
• Ability to work with digital tools (CAT tools – specifically Trados, terminology databases, subtitling software, CMS advantageous).
• Experience working with researchers, engineers, or scientific publications is a plus.

Personal Attributes

• Rigorous, reliable, and methodical.
• Able to adapt language to expert and non-expert audiences.
• Proactive communicator, comfortable working in an international environment.
• Interest in sustainability, climate action, or cooling technologies appreciated.

Selection Process

You will be asked to complete translation and proofreading tests in both language combinations as part of the selection process, we may request these are completed in-house at our office.

How to Apply

Send your CV, a short cover letter, and a portfolio of recent translations (technical samples preferred) to

with the subject line:"Application – Technical Translator (EN–FR / FR–EN)"