Principal Engineer, System Engineering

HARMAN's engineers and designers are creative, purposeful and agile. As part of this team, you'll combine your technical expertise with innovative ideas to help drive cutting-edge solutions in the car, enterprise and connected ecosystem. Every day, you will push the boundaries of creative design, and HARMAN is committed to providing you with the opportunities, innovative technologies and resources to build a successful career.A Career at HARMANAs 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 everyday. A Career at HARMAN Lifestyle

We're a global, multi-disciplinary team that's putting the innovative power of technology to work and transforming tomorrow. As a member of HARMAN Lifestyle, you connect consumers with the power of superior sound.

• Contribute your talents to high-end, esteemed brands like JBL, Mark Levinson and Revel
• Unite your passion for audio innovation with high-tech product development
• Create pitch-perfect, cutting-edge technology that elevates the listening experience

About the Role

We are looking for a talented and experienced System Architect to lead the design and development of innovative audio solutions for home entertainment products. In this role, you will drive the end-to-end system architecture, from conceptual design through to product development, ensuring superior audio quality, user experience, and performance.

You will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams—including hardware, software, mechanical, acoustic and product management—to understand business requirements, identify technological opportunities, and lead the creation of scalable and high-performance architectures for audio products.

What You Will Do

• Reviews BU request and cooperate with cross function to develop new product.
• Responsible for the overall architecture including but not limited to EE component selection, Acoustic package and Software features for audio products.
• Taking lead on the new process, innovation, IP patenting and new standard development.
• Provides direct as needed on-site interface with suppliers and sub-supplier program management, engineering, and manufacturing groups.
• Covers multiple design and manufacturers as required.
• Responsible for overseeing suppliers detail design and methods to ensure compliance with our product goals and quality testing procedures.
• Carry out feasibility study on new products against requirements, assist in defining a feasible architecture/concept and create a realistic development plan.
• Work with chipset and ecosystem partners like Google, Amazon, Apple, Tencent to understand their roadmap and see how to bring them into Harman product roadmap.
• Work on platform strategy to minimize risk and maximize output and time to market.
• Proactively address architectural challenges through problem-solving session with a cross-functional team.
• Timely escalation to senior management team when there is a major issue that would significantly impact program schedule, cost and quality.
• Communicate very clearly and succinctly (in English) to internal and external stakeholders on all technical and non-technical issues to persuade and influence with the goal to help remove execution barrier for the R&D Team.
• Constantly keep assessing the Chipset Lead time and availability to mitigate the risk and make a Plan-B.

What You Need to Be Successful

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electronics, Software, Acoustics, or a related field.
• 15+ years of experience in audio system architecture and product development, preferably within consumer electronics.
• Proficiency with audio platforms, SoCs, and wireless technologies for audio systems.
• Strong sound system design experience, especially at the complicate audio chain system ( Dolby Atmos, DSP, sound bar).
• Knowing the audio streaming technology, audio synchronization, optimizing the audio chain design.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities, with the ability to interpret complex requirements and design innovative architectures, including AI-based solutions.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to explain technical concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• A strong team player with proven ability to collaborate across all levels of the organization and with cross-functional teams.
• Proficiency in both spoken and written English.
• Demonstrated success in managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

Bonus Points if You Have

• Experience in integrating and troubleshooting DSP audio is a plus.
• Open Minded and willing to work outside the box.
• Honest and understands the value in reporting both good and bad news.
• Schedule driven.
• Innovative and willing to take calculated risks.
• Able to work with aggressive goals on multiple programs.
• Self-Motivated to be the best he/she can be.

What Makes You Eligible

• Willingness to travel.
• Willingness to work in an office.
• Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a background investigation.

What We Offer

• Flexible work environment, allowing for full-time remote work one day per week for positions that can be performed outside a HARMAN or customer location.
• Access to employee discounts on world-class Harman products (JBL, HARMAN Kardon, AKG, etc.).
• Extensive training opportunities through our own HARMAN University.
• Competitive wellness benefits.
• Access to HARMAN Campus Fitness Center and Cafeteria.
• "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.

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