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 an Early Engagement Lead embedded in a CAM Pursuit management team, you drive pre-RFI customer engagement to build trusted partnerships with OEM stakeholders and shape customer needs early. You work with CAM, Pursuit, SBU Product Management and Div Tech to translate VOC, competitive and market insights into clear business opportunities and customer-ready value propositions. You help validate new offerings with customers and support early proof points through demos/showcases. You also help teams follow standard ways of working by applying agreed methods and tools (pipeline, documentation, playbooks), keeping engagement data current and consistent.
What You Will Do
- Drive pre‑RFI customer engagement activities with OEM decision-makers to shape needs, requirements and architecture early.
- Build and nurture customer partnerships by expanding engagement beyond engineering/procurement to include planning, pre-development, tech scouting, marketing, and business leadership.
- Identify, qualify and shape new opportunities based on market trends, customer context and portfolio value propositions.
- Translate VOC, market and competitive insights into clear internal input for product positioning and roadmap discussions with SBU and Div Tech.
- Validate new product offerings from SBU and Div Tech with customers (problem fit, value, differentiators, adoption barriers) and capture actionable feedback.
- Support early opportunity enablement (e.g., demo cars, showcases, proof points) to mature concepts and validate feasibility.
- Co-create customer-facing narratives (storytelling, value proposition, content) that support early engagement and downstream pursuits.
- Contribute to innovative go-to-market models by working with OEM business teams and internal stakeholders on partnership and commercialisation concepts.
- Apply and promote standard methods and tools for early engagement execution (common templates, pipeline tracking, documentation discipline).
- Maintain accurate pipeline and engagement documentation in the defined tools/repositories; ensure transparency for CAM and pursuit planning.
- Lead project work impacting the sub-function and coordinate external vendors supporting showcases/events as needed.
What You Need to Be Successful:
- Bachelor's degree (master’s preferred) in business, engineering, or related field.
- 15+ years of Automotive experience in early engagement / pre-sales / business development, with confidence working with OEM stakeholders.
- Strong relationship-building skills and ability to earn access and engagement with cross-functional customer influencers.
- Ability to turn VOC and market/competitive data into clear opportunity strategies and internal actions.
- Strong execution discipline: planning, prioritisation, and delivery across multiple parallel initiatives in a matrix setup.
- Comfortable applying and reinforcing standard methods and tools (pipeline hygiene, documentation, playbooks).
- Specialised depth/breadth in the field; works independently with guidance only in complex situations; leads others to solve complex problems; leads projects impacting the sub-function; manages external vendors with accountability.
What Makes You Eligible
- Be willing to travel up to 25%, domestic and international travel.
- Be willing to work in an office 2+ days a week and at the customer's on-site location.
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
#LI-MK1
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
- Bachelor's degree in business, engineering, or related field
- Master's degree
- 15+ years automotive experience in early engagement / pre-sales / business development
- Experience working confidently with OEM stakeholders
- Strong relationship-building and cross-functional engagement skills
- Ability to translate VOC, market and competitive insights into opportunity strategies
- Execution discipline: planning, prioritisation, and delivery across multiple initiatives in a matrix setup
- Comfortable applying and reinforcing standard methods and tools (pipeline hygiene, documentation, playbooks)
- P4 level expectations: leads projects impacting the sub-function and manages external vendors
- Willingness to travel up to 25% domestic and international
- Willingness to work in an office 2+ days per week and onsite at customer locations as needed
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!
