Lead Brand Architect - Car Audio

A Career at HARMAN

As a technology leader that is rapidly on the move, HARMAN is filled with people who are focused on making life better. Innovation, inclusivity and teamwork are a part of our DNA. When you add that to the challenges we take on and solve together, you'll discover that at HARMAN you can grow, make a difference and be proud of the work you do every day.

Introduction: A Career at HARMAN Automotive

We're a global, multi-disciplinary team that's putting the innovative power of technology to work and transforming tomorrow. At HARMAN Automotive, we give you the keys to fast-track your career.

• Engineer audio systems and integrated technology platforms that augment the driving experience
• Combine ingenuity, in-depth research, and a spirit of collaboration with design and engineering excellence
• Advance in-vehicle infotainment, safety, efficiency, and enjoyment

About the Role

As the Lead Systems Architect for one of our premium brands in Car Audio, you will translate brand and customer experience vision into scalable, production-ready technical solutions.

You'll define system architecture, technical strategy, and feature pipelines that power both demo vehicles and production programs, with a strong focus on reuse, performance, and feasibility.

This role serves as the primary technical authority across hardware, software, and system integration-partnering closely with brand, product, and OEM stakeholders.

Your Team

• Reports to the Brand Owner
• Individual contributor with high cross-functional influence

What You Will Do

Technical Strategy & Architecture

• Translate experience vision into technical architecture, feature concepts, and implementation strategy
• Define system architecture, NFRs, and technical enablers across audio and infotainment systems
• Establish scalable designs supporting ~80% reuse into production programs
• Lead feasibility, risk assessment, and go/no-go decisions
• Define and maintain the architectural roadmap and runway

Product & Innovation Leadership

• Evaluate emerging audio, UI/UX, and infotainment technologies
• Drive innovation in system design, audio performance, and user experience
• Convert customer and user needs into detailed engineering requirements
• Identify and define enablers required to deliver experiences
• Leverage Enterprise AI tools to support all aspects of the product lifecycle

Customer & Stakeholder Engagement

• Act as primary technical interface with OEM customers and partners
• Align long-term architecture and integration strategies with customer roadmaps
• Collaborate across internal engineering, product, and innovation teams

Delivery & Execution

• Enable teams to deliver high-quality features with speed and reliability
• Support demo vehicle builds and feature integration
• Ensure compliance with NFRs, system performance, and stability
• Contribute to PI Planning and Agile delivery within SAFe frameworks

What You Need to Be Successful

Core Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Acoustics, or related field
• 15+ years in automotive, audio, or technology systems
• 5+ years in technical leadership or customer-facing roles
• Deep expertise in automotive audio and infotainment system architecture
• Strong understanding of hardware/software integration and system design
• Proven ability to influence OEMs, partners, and internal stakeholders

Technical Expertise

• Audio systems, acoustics, and sound tuning
• Infotainment architectures and in-vehicle systems
• Software/hardware tradeoffs and system-level design
• Feature definition and technical requirement synthesis

Leadership & Soft Skills

• Strategic thinker with strong problem-solving skills
• Excellent communication across technical and executive audiences
• Ability to operate in fast-paced, cross-functional environments

Bonus Points if You Have

• Master's or PhD degree in Electrical Engineering, Acoustics, or related field
• Experience in Luxury Audio or Premium Automotive Brands
• Specific experience in three or more of the following fields: signal flow design, UI/UX design, electronics engineering, transducer engineering, acoustic engineering, digital signal processing, psychoacoustics, and recording arts.

Success Metrics (KPI's)

• Feature and enabler delivery throughput
• System performance and NFR compliance
• Asset reuse across programs
• Integration stability and quality
• PI predictability and delivery accuracy

What Makes You Eligible

• Be willing to travel up to 25%, domestic and international travel
• Be willing to work in a hybrid office environment in our Novi, MI location
• Successfully complete a background investigation and drug screen as a condition of employment

What We Offer

• Flexible work environment, allowing for full-time remote work globally for positions that can be performed outside a HARMAN or customer location
• Access to employee discounts on world-class Harman and Samsung products (JBL, HARMAN Kardon, AKG, 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

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Salary Ranges:

$ 161,250 - $ 236,500

HARMAN is proud to be an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer. 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.