Lead Brand Architect - Car Audio

Description & Requirements

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

#LI-Hybrid

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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 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: [email protected].

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 [email protected] . Requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis in accordance with applicable law.