Director, Experience Intelligence

Description & Requirements

Introduction: A Career at HARMAN Corporate

We’re a global, multi-disciplinary team that’s putting the innovative power of technology to work and transforming tomorrow. At HARMAN Corporate, you are integral to our company’s award-winning success.

• Enrich your managerial and organizational talents – from finance, quality, and supply chain to human resources, IT, sales, and strategy
• Augment your comprehensive skillset with expert training across decision-making, change management, leadership, and business development
• Obtain 360-degree support throughout your career life cycle, from early-stage to seasoned leader

About the Role

The Director of Experience Intelligence leads the applied research pod within Intelligent Audio, driving the fusion of perceptual audio science, machine learning, acoustics, and signal processing to create new user experiences. In this role, you will build and guide a world-class research team that invents and productizes the next generation of spatial audio, adaptive sound personalization, and context-aware features. Your focus is on the “intelligence” behind the audio experience – developing algorithms and models that make sound systems perceptually tuned, adaptive to context, and seamless across devices. You will define the research roadmap (for example, on topics like immersive spatial audio, personalized sound profiles, advanced noise management, perceptual metrics for audio quality, etc.) and ensure that breakthroughs transition into real-time implementations for product integration. This position is both technical and strategic: you will direct research projects, manage researchers and engineers, and partner with product teams to align innovations with platform needs. Success in 12–18 months would mean delivering platform-ready intelligent audio features (e.g. improved spatial rendering, perceptual tuning systems) that are integrated into flagship products, as well as establishing new evaluation frameworks that elevate how audio is tuned and measured.

What You Will Do

• Research Leadership: Define and own the Experience Intelligence research roadmap – e.g. spatial audio algorithms (upmixing, 3D rendering, beamforming), adaptive noise cancellation and hear-through enhancements for hearables, perceptual audio evaluation methods), multi-device audio coordination, etc.. Prioritize research pillars that will most enhance user experience and product differentiation.
• Project Execution: Oversee the design and execution of research projects from concept through proof-of-concept and prototype. Ensure a rigorous approach to experimentation: develop perceptual metrics and data-driven evaluation so that perception becomes the objective function in algorithm design. Guide the team in building testbeds, collecting data (e.g. listening tests), and iterating on algorithms using both objective and subjective feedback.
• Technology Transfer: Work closely with the Productization team to transition mature research into real-time implementations (C/C++/embedded DSP) and ultimately into products. Plan for scalability and predictability – for each innovation, establish clear performance benchmarks and integration requirements so product teams can adopt them with confidence.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with other divisions -e.g. consumer audio, automotive audio BUs, and Samsung/Harman ecosystem teams - to co-develop platform capabilities and ensure research outcomes fit into broader product strategies. Coordinate with internal cross-divisional teams on multi-device user experience aspects. Communicate complex technical concepts and project status to executive stakeholders and product management regularly.
• People and Thought Leadership: Recruit, mentor, and develop top talent (DSP engineers, acoustic researchers, ML scientists, etc.). Foster a culture of scientific excellence and creative problem-solving. Set technical standards (technical and code reviews, experiment design, etc.) and ensure continuous learning. Drive thought leadership by publishing research when strategic, filing patents, and representing Harman in academic or industry forums.
• KPIs & Success Metrics: Define what success looks like for Experience Intelligence innovations (e.g. an AI-driven tuning system cuts manual tuning time in half). Track these outcome metrics and adjust research directions to meet them. Ultimately ensure that the team’s work results in tangible improvements to user experience that can be quantified and are valued by the business.

What You Need to Be Successful

• Education: Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Acoustics, Signal Processing or a related field is strongly preferred (or equivalent deep R&D experience). A strong academic research background in audio DSP, acoustics, or machine learning for signal processing.
• Experience: 10+ years of hands-on R&D experience in audio technologies (DSP algorithms, acoustic systems, perceptual audio science, and/or AI for audio). Demonstrated innovation through a substantial publications and patent record , and experience delivering novel technologies into real products. Prior experience leading a research team or large research projects is required.
• Domain Expertise: Deep expertise in several of the following: acoustic fundamentals and transducer design (e.g. loudspeaker-room interaction, headphone coupling); advanced signal processing (spatial audio, beamforming, adaptive filtering, optimization, statistical signal processing); machine learning techniques applied to audio (deep learning for speech/music, AI-based noise reduction, etc.); perceptual audio evaluation and psychoacoustics; and audio system architecture (wired/wireless audio signal chains).
• Leadership & Collaboration: Proven ability to build and lead high-performing teams of scientists/engineers. Excellent mentoring skills and talent development. Strong cross-functional collaboration skills - able to work with product managers, engineering leaders, and external partners. Effective communicator able to articulate complex technical vision and inspire stakeholders at all levels.
• Technical Skills: Proficiency in algorithm development and modeling tools (MATLAB, Python, etc.) as well as implementation in C/C++ for real-time systems . Familiarity with modern AI frameworks (PyTorch/TensorFlow) for audio research. Experience with hardware and software co-design considerations (e.g. knowing how to optimize algorithms for an embedded processor or understanding limitations of microphones/speakers).
• Preferred: Experience across multiple audio domains (e.g. worked on consumer headphones as well as automotive or pro audio). Knowledge of audio industry standards (e.g. Dolby Atmos, Bluetooth LE Audio/Auracast) and emerging trends in personalized audio and hearing augmentation. Background in perceptual user studies or statistical analysis of subjective tests is a plus.
• Successfully complete a background investigation and drug screen as a condition of employment (post-offer).

What Makes You Eligible

• Successfully complete a background investigation and drug screen as a condition of employment (post-offer).
• Ability to work from an office in Northridge, CA. 3+ days per week (hybrid)

What We Offer

• Access to employee discounts on world-class products (JBL, HARMAN Kardon, AKG, and more)
• 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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Pay Transparency

$ 199,500 - $ 292,600

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 us.fitly.work.

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 us.fitly.work . Requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis in accordance with applicable law.