Manager, Global Mechanical Engineering - JBL Professional Loudspeakers

Description & Requirements

Manager, Global Mechanical Engineering - JBL Professional Loudspeakers

Introduction: A Career at HARMAN Lifestyle

We're a global, multi-disciplinary team that's putting the innovative power of technology to work and transforming tomorrow. As a member of HARMAN Lifestyle, you connect consumers with the power of superior sound.

• Contribute your talents to the high-end, esteemed JBL brand
• Unite your passion for audio innovation with high-tech product development
• Creating cutting-edge technology that elevates the listening experience

About the Role

At HARMAN, our legacy innovation and market leadership is built on delivering the most advanced loudspeaker technologies in the world. This is your opportunity to join an elite team shaping the next generation of JBL Professional loudspeaker systems-trusted by artists, engineers, and audiences across the globe.

We are seeking a Manager, Global Mechanical Engineering, to lead our global mechanical design and engineering teams. Based in Northridge, California, you will oversee and mentor mechanical engineers both in North America and China. Reporting to the Director, Head of Acoustics, you will be responsible for guiding the mechanical engineering of complete products and components, ensuring seamless translation from design to manufacturing. You'll also drive technology and platform development initiatives that will keep JBL Professional products at the cutting edge of innovation, performance, and reliability.

What You Will Do

• Lead all mechanical engineering efforts for new product development and platform programs across JBL Professional loudspeakers North America and China.
• Partner cross-functionally with global teams in Product Management, Project Management, Quality, Manufacturing, and Supply Chain to execute programs from concept through production.
• Oversee product designs for manufacturability (DFM) and drive implementation across in-house and contract manufacturing sites.
• Allocate and manage engineering resources efficiently across projects to achieve quality, schedule, and cost goals.
• Mentor, develop, and inspire engineers-cultivating technical mastery, collaboration, and innovation aligned with long-term technology strategies.
• Ensure compliance with life safety standards for mechanical engineering, including load-bearing structures, materials safety, and environmental compliance.
• Champion mechanical engineering best practices for performance, sustainability, sourcing, documentation, and validation.
• Lead platform and advanced technology research that feeds into new product development and long-term innovation pipelines.
• Contribute visionary insights that elevate JBL Professional's reputation for excellence in sound and design.

What You Need to Succeed

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Mechanical or Structural Engineering.
• Minimum 10 years of experience in product development engineering, plus at least 4 years in a leadership role.
• Proven success building and managing high-performing engineering teams in a fast-paced, results-oriented environment.
• Strong collaboration skills across interdisciplinary teams, including systems, transducers, quality, purchasing, and manufacturing.
• Thorough technical expertise in materials and manufacturing processes: plastic molding, aluminum die casting, extrusion, machining, steel fabrication, wood assembly, magnetics, and advanced materials.
• Experience with coating and finishing methods for wood, metal, and plastics (painting, galvanizing, powder coating, etc.).
• Experience with plastic part design, molding, texture, finish and support during tooling design and adjustment
• Proficiency in SolidWorks, PDM systems, FEA, and DFMEA methodologies.
• Strong organizational, communication, and analytical skills extended with a global mindset.
• Familiarity with standard collaboration and productivity tools (Microsoft Office Suite).

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in loudspeaker or audio product design and manufacturing.
• Experience designing suspension and rigging systems for stage handling spaces.
• Proficiency in COMSOL, MATLAB, Python, Confluence, Jira, and requirements-tracking tools.
• Knowledge of ISO 12100, EU Machine Regulation, Eurocode, and equivalent North American standards.
• Experience designing to IEC 62368, UL1480A, EN-54, UL1480, and UL2043.
• Understanding of long-term material performance (aging, fatigue, corrosion) under vibrational loads.
• Track record of granted patents or technical publications.
• A genuine passion for music, live performance, and sound innovation.

What Makes You Eligible

• Willingness to travel 10 to 20% of the time (Mexico, China and other global locations)
• Willingness to work in an office in Northridge, CA
• Successfully completing a background investigation and drug screen as a condition of employment.

What We Offer

• A flexible work environment, primarily onsite, with remote work as needed.
• Access to employee discounts on world-class Harman and Samsung products (JBL, HARMAN Kardon, AKG, B&W, Dennon etc.)
• Extensive training opportunities through our own HARMAN University
• Competitive wellness benefits
• Tuition reimbursement
• "Be Brilliant" employee recognition and rewards program
• An inclusive and diverse work environment that fosters and encourages professional and personal development.

#LI-NP1

Pay Transparency

$ 134,250 - $ 196,900

Dependent on the position offered, other forms of compensation are also available, such as bonuses or commission.
Pay is based on a wide range of factors, including, without limitation, skill set, experience, training, location, and business need. While the above range is a reasonable estimate of the wage range for this position, please note the disclosed range estimate has not been adjusted for the applicable geographical differential associated with the location where the position may be filled.

Benefits HARMAN is interested in the health and wellbeing of you and your family and offers a range of benefits designed to support your needs for holistic wellbeing. Benefits and perks may vary depending on the nature of your employment with HARMAN, and may include paid vacation and holidays, paid sick leave, volunteer leave, and paid bonding and care giver leave. Employees may also be eligible to participate in comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans, fertility support and adoption assistance, Health Savings and Flexible Spending Accounts, retirement savings plan with employer match, short and long term disability coverage, life insurance, and more.

About HARMAN: Where Innovation Unleashes Next-Level Technology Ever since the 1920s, we've been amplifying the sense of sound. Today, that legacy endures, with integrated technology platforms that make the world smarter, safer, and more connected.
Across automotive, lifestyle, and digital transformation solutions, we create innovative technologies that turn ordinary moments into extraordinary experiences. Our renowned automotive and lifestyle solutions can be found everywhere, from the music we play in our cars and homes to venues that feature today's most sought-after performers, while our digital transformation solutions serve humanity by addressing the world's ever-evolving needs and demands. Marketing our award-winning portfolio under 16 iconic brands, such as JBL, Mark Levinson, and Revel, we set ourselves apart by exceeding the highest engineering and design standards for our customers, our partners and each other.
If you're ready to innovate and do work that makes a lasting impact, join our talent community today!

Important Notice: Recruitment Scams
Please be aware that HARMAN recruiters will always communicate with you from an '@harman.com', '@careers.harman.com' or '@harmanglobal.avature.net' email address. We will never ask for payments, banking, credit card, personal financial information or access to your LinkedIn/email account during the screening, interview, or recruitment process. If you are asked for such information or receive communication from an email address not ending in one of the above email domains about a job with HARMAN, please cease communication immediately and report the incident to us through: View email address on click.appcast.io.

You Belong Here HARMAN is committed to making every employee feel welcomed, valued, and empowered. No matter what role you play, we encourage you to share your ideas, voice your distinct perspective, and bring your whole self with you - all within a support-minded culture that celebrates what makes each of us unique. We also recognize that learning is a lifelong pursuit and want you to flourish. We proudly offer added opportunities for training, development, and continuing education, further empowering you to live the career you want.
HARMAN is proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer. HARMAN strives to hire the best qualified candidates and is committed to building a workforce representative of the diverse marketplaces and communities of our global colleagues and customers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. HARMAN attracts, hires, and develops employees based on merit, qualifications and job-related performance.(
HARMAN is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation during the application process, please contact us at View email address on click.appcast.io. Requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis in accordance with applicable law.

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