Lead Brand Architect - Car Audio

Introduction 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 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 (KPIs) 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 Pay Transparency $ 161,250 - $ 236,500 (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 caregiver 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. 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. #J-18808-Ljbffr HARMAN International