Technical Program Manager

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 a Customer Program Manager, you will be responsible for organizing and executing product development tasks. You will lead a dynamic global cross functional technical team by planning, organizing, facilitating and executing product development tasks to bring branded audio amplifiers to our customer. 

What You Will Do 

• Manage multiple audio system programs for amplifier product development and release, requiring both applications and international development engineering. 

• Define tasks to be performed by the cross-functional team in developing amplifiers for supporting audio systems. Use a task list to create a work breakdown structure. Use work breakdown structure to establish program schedule. 

• Serve as the lead program interface with customers, enhancing communication and project alignment, negotiating deliverables and schedule, and ensuring customer milestones are met. 

• Set and lead team goals for timeliness, resolving customer issues, and maintaining quality. 

• Monitor development tasks, tracking completion, and report high-level status updates to management. 

• Support quoting, planning and facilitate task execution by a global cross-functional team in developing systems.  Global areas include China, India, Mexico, Japan and USA. 

• Adhere to and enforce the corporate product development (or applications) process, ensuring compliance among team members. 

• Facilitate prompt decision-making by promoting consensus, intervening when necessary, and making executive decisions to resolve deadlocks. 

• Establish and manage program budgets.   

• Negotiate and secure resource allocations from functional managers to resolve conflicts and optimize project outcomes. 

• Coordinate and oversee the ordering of prototype and production tooling. 

• Conduct regular product and project review sessions with cross-disciplinary teams to ensure alignment with strategic objectives and adherence to technical specifications. 

• Engage with key internal and external stakeholders to gather requirements, communicate project progress, and solicit feedback to continuously refine project direction. 

• Drive innovation and continuous improvement by identifying opportunities for process optimization, leveraging new technologies, and implementing best practices in project management. 

• Understand the technical detail of the amplifier products used in your systems, both electrical and mechanical. 

• Work with Sales, Supplier Engineering, and Design Engineering to set and meet the finished goods and system cost target. 

• Review selected suppliers and quotes and participate in supplier reviews/selection as appropriate. 

What You Need to Be Successful 

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field.  
• 0-3 years of relevant industry experience in roles such as program management, project management, quality, design, engineering management, process engineering, or manufacturing engineering. 

• Project planning, problem solving, project management skills 

•  Bonus Points if You Have  
  • Experience with Automotive Electronics and Audio systems.  
  • Background in mechatronics, specifically in integrating electronic, mechanical, and computer engineering in product design and development. 
  • Knowledge of embedded software in audio electronics. 
  • Familiarity with the application of artificial intelligence in automotive systems. 
  • Understanding of metal component manufacturing processes. 
  • PMP Project management certification (e.g., PMP, PRINCE2, Agile PM). 
  • Advanced degree in engineering (Master's preferred) or an MBA. 
  • Experience working with Japanese OEMs. 
•  What Makes You Eligible 
  • Be willing to travel up to 10% domestic and internationally, with occasional travel to the customer location and HARMAN Plants 
  • Be willing to work in an office in Novi, Michigan (Hybrid). 
  • Successfully complete a background investigation and drug screen as a condition of employment (post-offer). 
  • Due to the nature of global infrastructure, flexibility in working hours is required. 
  • Fluent in English. 
  • Eligible to work in the United States; have a valid driver’s license. 
•  What We Offer  
  • Flexible work environment, allowing for hybrid remote work that can be performed outside a HARMAN or customer location (3 days in office, subject to change per Corporate direction). 
  • 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 
    

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.