Manager Hardware Engineering (m/f/d)

HARMAN International; Ulm; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee discounts on products

Extensive training opportunities

Competitive wellness benefits

Tuition reimbursement

Employee recognition program

Job summary

HARMAN International in Ulm, Germany is seeking a Manager of Hardware Development to lead the Connectivity Hardware Engineering/Delivery Team. This position requires a minimum of 10 years experience in automotive ECUs and involves supervising a team to oversee hardware design and development. The ideal candidate will collaborate across global departments, manage project budgets, and ensure alignment with customer specifications. Competitive benefits and an inclusive work environment are offered.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years of experience in automotive ECUs.
• Experience in technical leadership and project management.
• Structured working style with teamwork abilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead Hardware Basic Development team and projects.
• Oversee hardware design and BOM.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams for product development.

Skills

Project management

Hardware architecture

Communication skills

Team leadership

Analytical problem-solving

Negotiation skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

DOORS

DNG

Job description

About The Role

In this role as a Manager of Hardware development of global Connectivity Hardware Engineering/Delivery Team inside the SBU Connectivity to realize automotive telematics systems, she/he leads a group inside the Hardware Product Development which includes Hardware Experts and/or Hardware Architects of OEM customer projects and coordinates the support of the relevant technical expertise and/or architectural concept according to Harman BMS processes, the guidance of Hardware Development and the collaboration with all teams inside and outside her/his organization necessary for product development.

She/he also acts as a supervisor hardware interface to the customer, and reports to the Supervisor Manager Hardware Product Development or/and to Director Hardware Delivery.

What You Will Do

Position Summary & Responsibility

Lead the areas of Hardware Basic Development, including team members of Hardware Experts and/or Hardware Architects for development and supporting of integration, manufacturing, qualification and certification of Connectivity‑BU ECU (Electronic Control Unit) Products in the areas of Telematics, V2X OBU/RSU for assigned customer projects globally.

She/he is the owner of hardware design and BoM and hence absolutely key to the business case and factor to win projects, as well as important to the 5 pillar Transformation goals of SBU.

Growth

• Support the execution and control of the analysis, evaluation and feasibility of customer requirements and special OEM specifications for RFC, RFI, RFQ and CRs, BOM estimates and calculation, effort estimation and technical support for risk management.
• Develop high‑complexity Telematics Control Units (TCU) with latest technology & standards and best‑cost approach of BoM under consideration of Harman BMS Process and Guidelines, customer requirements and alignment, and industry standards.
• Collaborate globally with other departments as Construction, System Integration, Testing & Validation and Software, and support of Industrialization, Qualification and Certification.
• Support resource, project and budget planning.

Profitability

• Support the execution and analysis of cost‑down and VAVE activities to achieve HW BOM targets.
• Join customer presentations and negotiations.

Quality & Stability

• Support in HW/ME Gate‑Review for Telematics Projects globally.
• Support in deployment and implementation of Harman Automotive BMS Design Process.
• Support or/and lead in taskforce topics and report to Top Management.
• Support in failure analysis and maintenance support.

Technology & Innovation

• Support the execution of technical market and competitor product analysis, follow the latest technologies and products as well as working methodologies and judge them for improving the development and cost efficiency.
• Gather and report new customer features/innovations and support in definition/specification of new product features and technology strategies.

Team

• Formal supervisory responsibilities and technical lead of HW Basic Development Team with direct reports: 5‑10 (Germany, Romania) and indirect reports: >10 depending on projects (global).
• Close collaboration with cross‑SBU and other Harman Engineering teams.
• Recommend competence in planning and prioritization of tasks/projects of the team in alignment with the supervisor manager.
• Plan further education and training.
• Incorporate new employees.
• Execute special projects on behalf of the disciplinary superior.

Project Management

• Perform, support, delegate and/or guide: technical and functional lead of hardware engineering teams across regions (EU, APAC, NA) & functions (incl. teams & members from other organizations) for development of assigned projects in the field of automotive infotainment.
• Collect, analyze and prepare all relevant project data for status reporting to management level.
• Analyze the customer specification, generate related work packages (design and verification) and perform design reviews for each development stage.
• Provide technical support for internal and/or external staff in the industrialization of functional items in an international environment (e.g., ODM, EMS suppliers).
• Ensure requirement management with OEM customers, business units and suppliers.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Direct reports: 5‑10 (Germany, Romania)
• Indirect reports: >10 depending on projects (global).

Job Responsibility

• From ECU (TCU, V2X OBU/RSU) product perspective, HW Concept & Technology are core for all platform/customer projects from technical and commercial aspects and are always key factors to win business.
• Increase complexity of technology & definition of new product based on customer & industry trend are key for Harman’s TCU growth; this function is key to provide right technology & concept and key interface to customers, product management.
• Global & cross‑region (EU, NA, APAC) business support & collaboration with other Engineering Teams.
• Own the Hardware Design & BoM and VAVE.

What You Need To Be Successful

• Minimum of bachelor’s degree in engineering (Electrical Engineering, Telecommunications or appropriate graduation).
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in the Healthcare development of In‑vehicle Infotainment systems, telematics/ connectivity, or other automotive ECUs of similar complexity level.
• Practice in project management with more than 5 years’ experience.
• Experience in technical leading a team.
• Best‑class knowledge in Hardware architecture, development, EMC and RF Design.
• Know‑how and experience in HW‑/SW interfacing, production technology/capability, mechanical integration of Hardware components.
• High knowledge of the requirements inside the automotive area.
• Structured and target‑orientated working style with proven ability to collaborate within cross‑functional engineering teams.
• Ability to work in teamwork with big internal/external teams.
• Ability to work under pressure & difficult situations.
• High level of creativity combined with solid analytical problem‑solving capabilities.
• Effective communication skills across technical and non‑technical stakeholders.
• Strong verbal and written English skills.

Bonus Points if You Have

• Good negotiation skills.
• Experience in requirements management (e.g., DOORS, DNG, ALM) beneficial.
• Experience in ASIL / ISO 26262 compliant hardware designs.

What Makes You Eligible

• Availability to work flexibly and on‑demand both from the office and remotely.
• Willingness to travel within Germany & internationally on demand (around 10‑25%).

What We Offer

• 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 employer. HARMAN strives to hire the best qualified candidates and is committed to building a workforce representative of the diverse marketplaces and communities of our global colleagues and customers. 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.