About the Role

Harman is the global leader in the design and manufacture of OEM Branded Audio systems. Headquartered in Novi, Michigan, Harman maintains a network of Product Development Centers in Germany, China, Japan, Mexico, and India.

The Project Lead, Car Audio Pre-Development will lead the execution of pre-development projects and RFQ responses to grow our entire Japan OEM business. In this role, this position will oversee cross-functional planning / communications, team building, financial analysis, and assembly / execution of pre-development / RFQ plans in support of our business growth strategy. The position will focus on expanding car audio business opportunities with our entire existing Japan OEM customer base (Toyota, Subaru, Honda/Acura), as well as acquiring new Japan based customers.

Your Team

This role will report to Director, Pre-Development.

What You Will Do

• Manage multiple global pre-development/RFQ programs ranging from branded audio systems to SaaP and noise management offerings.

• Define tasks to be performed by a global cross-functional team in developing solutions and establish pre-development program / RFQ response schedules.

• Follow corporate product development process (especially pre-development and RFQ processes). Ensure the compliance of team members.

• Ensure prompt decision-making is executed by promoting consensus decisions, intervening when consensus decision-making fails, and making unilateral decisions in a deadlock.

• Understand the technical aspects of all solutions being pre-developed or quoted on.

• Closely coordinate with CPM team to enable seamless transitions of pre-development / RFQ projects to full-scale development.

• Manage pre-development/RFQ budget.

• Work with global cross-functional team to benchmark competitor products / systems to ensure our pre-developed solutions / RFQ responses are competitive in all aspects including cost, performance, and reliability.

• Interact with all internal functions: Sales, EPIC, Product Engineering, Global Product Management, Manufacturing, Quality, Purchasing

• Negotiate resource allocations from functional managers. When a resource conflict occurs, negotiate a solution with functional managers and other program managers.

• Support pre-development/RFQ program interface with the customer.

• Identify program issues as early as possible and drive resolution at the team level. If resolutions require management intervention, escalate to appropriate management personnel with proposed alternatives.

• Review preliminary supplier quotes and pull in CPM team as needed to prepare them for eventual project implementation.

• Coordinate and oversee prototype build and tooling.

• Audit task completion and report major deviations from plan to appropriate management.

• Recommend continuous improvements to development process.

• Back up pre-development / business development team as needed.

What You Need

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering (Electrical / Computer Science / Mechanical or similar) or related field

• B.S. + ＞4 years (or M.S. + ＞2 years) related experience in program management, sales, application / resident engineering, or product design

• Equivalent industry experience will be considered.

• Problem-solving, multi-tasking, project management, communication skills

• Experience responding to RFQs including building business cases and conducting financial analysis.

• Previous work managing global teams especially in China, India, Mexico, or Japan

• Experience working with a (or as part of a) Japan OEM customer / Japan Tier 1 supplier.

• Background in Automotive Electronics, Audio systems, Embedded software, and/or noise management systems (ANC / RNC / etc.)

• Strong English language skills

What is Nice to Have

Results-Driven: Having a proactive, goal-oriented approach to decision making.

• Demonstrates a proactive and collaborative approach to troubleshooting and problem solving.

• Capable of handling multiple projects / initiatives simultaneously and executing to completion.

Language: Some knowledge of Japanese language / culture is a plus

Team Player: Having respect for colleagues; lead teams with clarity and accountability.

• Proven team player with excellent communication and interpersonal skills who can effectively work with all levels of a global matrixed organization.

• Accepts overall accountability.

• Demonstrated ability to share knowledge and best practices with teammates.

Change Orientation: Able to adapt to changing demands and conditions.

• Proven ambassador of change and relentless pursuit of results and excellence.

• Drives organizational change through designed interventions to deliver overall business goals and cultural alignment.

• Act as a change management expert and enabler on various projects and programs across the business.

Customer Focus: Providing exceptional service and quality to external and internal customer.

• Ensures Engineering function adopts a customer service philosophy for all stakeholders.

• Offers the highest level of service to Executives and other leaders.

Self-Awareness: Accepting responsibility for personal development and actions.

• Have clear objectives and strives to exceed them.

• Takes ownership for personal career and skill development.

What Makes You Eligible

• Be willing to travel up to 10%, domestic and international travel.

• Be willing to work in an office in Suzhou, China

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

• Access to HARMAN Campus Fitness Center and Cafeteria

• An inclusive and diverse work environment that fosters and encourages professional and personal development