Lead Principal Engineer - Connectivity

About the Role

The automotive industry is undergoing a profound transformation, driven by technological advancements, shifting consumer expectations, and a heightened focus on in-cabin experiences enabled by ubiquitous connectivity.

To enhance our capability and secure new business for our Connectivity SBU, we plan to increase customer engagement, particularly with clients in North America. This involves collaborating with electric vehicle manufacturers in California as well as traditional automotive OEMs. Additionally, we work with partners such as Qualcomm, Skyworks, Qorvo, Broadcom, and mobile network operators like Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile. Therefore, we are seeking an experienced Lead Principal Engineer - Connectivity for our Sunnyvale office.

In this role, the incumbent will be responsible for supporting technology and OEM customer technical evaluations, assisting in product and feature definition, and contributing to the development of technology roadmaps, standards, and wireless/RF concepts. Additionally, the incumbent will support business development and customer RFx activities.

The incumbent will be responsible for evaluating and preparing technical proposals, conducting benchmarking activities, and collaborating with internal teams from various functions, including Antenna, Hardware, Mechanical, System and Software Architects, Product Management, Supply Chain, and Business Development.

Tasks & Expectation:

This person will be the key technical and architecture interface in NA for customer projects and products from RF & Wireless in TCU (Telematic Control Unit). Closely work with global System and SW architecture team to initiate and maintain global solutions with regional focus of NA. The person will drive innovation of new wireless design approaches for upcoming connected vehicle feature and requirements. Guide the team with skillset overlapping wireless elements and mechanical competence, accounting for vehicle architecture and mechanicals to provide optimal connectivity performance. Evaluate market and technology trends and collaborate with Hardware and Mechanical team to optimize the design of the overall solution. Collaboration with the external business partners in NA to lead the roadmap discussion and industry standards. Support business activities including battleplan sessions and product strategy with business development and CAM team Implement and facilitate PoC/ technical evals and demos with customers to showcase Harman capabilities. Drive and support customer RFI/RFQ engagements in NA area in close collaboration with Product Management, Business Development and CAMs. Driven the cost optimization ideas and concept from overall system aspect and use case aspect. Lead the product benchmarking activities including evaluation against industry standards. Provide SME view to the product management teams to address industry and market trends, as well as introduction of new technologies and features. Drive and closely collaborate with Wireless module team to work on platform approach of reusable wireless components that can be used for future programs.

Your Team

This position will report to the Director Global Customer Programs and will be an individual contributor role working with a cross-functional team. This is a unique opportunity to be at the forefront of Connectivity Technology in the automotive industry. By leading the efforts for the Connectivity Business Unit, you will play a critical role in driving positive environmental impact while shaping the future of connected automotive technology.

What You Need

• 10+ years in wireless system development for Automotive or IoT.
• 5+ years automotive program experience, ideally car marker experience who could provide OEM use case aspect.
• Master or above of Electronics or computing Engineering
• Skilled in Wireless & RF system concept inc. V2X, Cellular (LTE, 5G) and network.
• Experience in define system requirements, feature, use case for product definition.
• Strong communication and presentation skills and capabilities for OEM customer technical discussion and presentation.
• Broad technical and methodical knowledge
• Ability to engage and involve stakeholders, spread globally, for concept collaboration.
• Willing to travel to customers and business partners and other SBU locations per business need.

What is Nice to Have

• Experience leading global and virtual teams
• Experience from OEM
• Members of wireless standard (such as 3GPP, 5GAA etc.)
• Additional language skills.

What Makes You Eligible

• Be willing to travel up to 10-15%, domestic and international travel.

• Be willing to work in an office in US: Sunnyvale, CA or Novi, MI
• US Only - Successfully complete a background investigation and drug screen as a condition of employment.

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.

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