About the Role
As a cornerstone of our engineering team, the Distinguished Engineer, Acoustic Systems Engineering will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of audio technology. You will be responsible for co-defining and developing innovative audio solutions, providing expert guidance to engineering teams worldwide, and driving the strategic direction of our acoustic systems. Your expertise will be invaluable in ensuring the successful implementation of cutting-edge features in our production audio systems, including the definition of scalable signal-processing platforms, control algorithms, and engineering tools that enable consistent sound quality across multiple vehicle programs.
What You Will Do
Systems Definition: Lead the design and development of innovative audio systems, including system architectures, signal-processing concepts, control strategies, and their interaction with hardware. Collaborate closely with development teams to ensure the feasibility of systems in production, while meeting rigorous sound quality and brand standards.
Technical Expertise: Serve as a recognized authority on acoustic topics within innovation and development. Provide expert guidance and support to cross-functional teams.
Innovation and Development: Drive the maturation of innovative concepts, platforms, features, and tools through effective collaboration with stakeholders with demonstrated adoption across multiple OEMs or product lines.
Acoustical Leadership: Lead the development of cutting-edge audio features, including defining concept systems, developing underlying DSP and control algorithms, and guiding tuning strategies using scientifically grounded methods.
Knowledge Sharing: Develop and document worldwide acoustic systems features, tools, and best practices to foster knowledge transfer and standardization.
Business Support: Collaborate with business units to create effective acoustic systems strategies and drive customer acquisition.
Industry Representation: Represent HARMAN at international scientific conventions and conferences, sharing expertise through publications and active participation.
What You Need
Advanced Education: Masters or Doctorate degree in Acoustics, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
Industry Experience: Minimum 15 years of experience (20 years preferred) in automotive audio or automotive audio technology development, including algorithms, platforms, or production-deployed tools.
Technical Expertise: Deep understanding of DSP, signal flow design, psychoacoustics, and acoustic system behavior, with working knowledge of transducers and amplification sufficient for system-level optimization.
Sound Tuning Mastery: Proven track record of delivering or enabling a large number of advanced automotive audio systems through direct tuning ownership and/or scalable algorithms, platforms, tuning methodologies, or engineering tools adopted across multiple vehicle programs.
Research and Development: Demonstrated experience in research and development, evidenced by publications in top-tier journals/conferences and patents or patent applications.
System Definition: Expertise in defining complex automotive audio systems through robust requirements management, including conventional and unconventional system architectures.
Communication Skills: Excellent presentation skills and the ability to clearly explain complex technical topics to a diverse audience with varying levels of expertise.
What Makes You Eligible
Willing to travel to Harman sites internationally (up to 20% of the time)
Drivers license
What We Offer
HARMAN offers a diverse and inclusive work environment that fosters and encourages career development opportunities, professional training and competitive market base compensation.
You will also receive top-notch employee discounts on Harman’s Consumer Audio (JBL, AKG, HARMAN Kardon) and Samsung products.
Flexible work schedule with a culture encouraging work life integration and collaboration in a global friendly working atmosphere and good work-life-balance.
Attractive salary package.
Professional development opportunities through HARMAN University’s business and leadership academies which also includes extensive technical trainings.
Internal talent management leadership acceleration programs.
“Be Brilliant” employee recognition and rewards program.
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.
Skills Required
- Masters or Doctorate degree in Acoustics, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
- Minimum 15 years of experience in automotive audio or automotive audio technology development.
- Deep understanding of DSP, signal flow design, psychoacoustics, and acoustic system behavior.
- Proven track record of delivering advanced automotive audio systems through tuning methodologies.
- Demonstrated experience in research and development with publications in top-tier journals.
- Expertise in defining complex automotive audio systems through robust requirements management.
- Excellent presentation skills and communication of technical topics to diverse audiences.
Harman Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Harman and has not been reviewed or approved by Harman.
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Healthcare Strength — Healthcare coverage is described as comprehensive, often including medical, dental, and vision plans, with HSAs/FSAs and disability or life insurance also referenced. Wellbeing support such as EAP access and onsite occupational health services is also part of the package in some regions.
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Wellbeing & Lifestyle Benefits — Lifestyle-oriented benefits include employee product discounts and region-specific perks like free fruit deliveries, Cycle to Work schemes, and meal coupons or allowances. Flexible schedules and work-from-home options are also part of the overall offering where roles and projects allow.
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Fair & Transparent Compensation — Pay is repeatedly characterized as solid or market-aligned for many roles, with salary payments described as consistent and on time. Compensation is also tied to performance in some accounts, reinforcing a perception of basic fairness for a portion of employees.
Harman Insights
What We Do
Headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut, HARMAN (harman.com) designs and engineers connected products and solutions for automakers, consumers, and enterprises worldwide, including connected car systems, audio and visual products, enterprise automation solutions; and services supporting the Internet of Things. With leading brands including AKG®, Harman Kardon®, Infinity®, JBL®, Lexicon®, Mark Levinson® and Revel®, HARMAN is admired by audiophiles, musicians and the entertainment venues where they perform around the world. More than 50 million automobiles on the road today are equipped with HARMAN audio and connected car systems. Our software services power billions of mobile devices and systems that are connected, integrated and secure across all platforms, from work and home to car and mobile. HARMAN has a workforce of approximately 30,000 people across the Americas, Europe, and Asia. In March 2017, HARMAN became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. HARMAN is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action employer. Minorities, women, veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. HARMAN offers a great work environment, challenging career opportunities, professional training and competitive compensation. Looking for a challenge where your experience is valued? Come see what you can achieve as a leader with HARMAN!
