Director, Global Mechanical Engineering & Prototyping - JBL Professional Loudspeakers

Harman International; California (MO); Hybrid; USD 200,000 - 293,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid vacation and holidays

Medical coverage

Dental and vision plans

Retirement savings with employer match

Life insurance

Employee discounts

Job summary

HARMAN is seeking a Director of Mechanical Engineering & Prototyping to lead the mechanical engineering, enclosure design, and rapid prototyping across the JBL Professional loudspeaker portfolio, ensuring robust architectures, manufacturability, and high reliability.

You will manage global teams, collaborate with product, acoustics, quality, and manufacturing, and drive design, analysis, simulation, and validation from concept to production. Travel 5-10% and office on Northridge, CA.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• 12+ years in product development engineering.
• 5+ years in leadership of engineering teams.
• Strong background in mechanical design, materials, manufacturing processes.
• Experience leading global engineering organizations.

Responsibilities

• Lead global Mechanical Engineering and Prototyping teams.
• Own mechanical design of enclosures, structural components, rigging interfaces, mounting hardware, transportation accessories and related systems.
• Drive design, analysis, simulation, prototyping, and engineering validation activities.
• Collaborate with cross-functional partners (Product, Acoustics, Quality, Manufacturing).
• Oversee rapid prototyping capabilities and manufacturing readiness.

Skills

Leadership

Mechanical Design

Prototyping

Cross-functional Collaboration

Resource Planning

Technical Leadership

Education

Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering

Master's in Mechanical Engineering (bonus)

Tools

SolidWorks

PDM

FEA

COMSOL

MATLAB

Python

Job description

Introduction: 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 the high-end, esteemed JBL brand

Unite your passion for audio innovation with high-tech product development

Creating c utting-edge technology that elevates listening experience

What You’ll Be Part Of

The Director of Mechanical Engineering & Prototyping is responsible for leading the mechanical engineering, enclosure design, structural systems, manufacturing solutions, and rapid prototyping functions across the JBL Professional loudspeaker portfolio.

This role ensures products are developed with robust mechanical architectures, innovative engineering solutions, advanced prototyping capabilities, and optimized manufacturing approaches that deliver industry-leading performance, reliability, quality, manufacturability, sustainability, and customer satisfaction.

The Director leads global Mechanical Engineering and Prototyping teams and partners closely with Product Management, Systems Engineering, Acoustics & Transducer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Firmware, Quality, Manufacturing Engineering, and Program Management throughout the product development lifecycle.

How You’ll Make an Impact

Leadership & Organizational Development

Lead global Mechanical Engineering and Prototyping teams across JBL Professional loudspeakers.

Build and develop a high-performing organization of engineering leaders and technical specialists.

Recruit, mentor, and retain top engineering talent.

Plan and execute resource loading and allocation to deliver the strategic roadmap.

Foster a culture of accountability, technical excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement.

Own mechanical design of loudspeaker enclosures, structural components, rigging interfaces, mounting hardware, transportation accessories and related mechanical systems.

Lead mechanical development activities from concept through production.

Drive design, analysis, simulation, prototyping, and engineering validation activities.

Ensure solutions m eet performance, reliability, manufacturability, quality, sustainability, and cost objectives.

Provide technical leadership for complex product development and engineering reviews.

Ensure structural designs meet applicable safety, load, transportation, environmental and field-use requirements.

Lead the development and operation of world-class rapid prototyping capabilities to accelerate innovation and reduce technical risk.

Support development of the Strategic Roadmap and innovation initiatives.

Lead advanced technology development and research programs.

Evaluate emerging materials, manufacturing processes, simulation methods, and design technologies.

Provide technical feasibility assessments and engineering effort estimates for future platforms and products.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Partner with Systems Engineering on system integration, and product-level design , while owning mechanical requirements, verification, and validation f or mechanical systems and components.

Collaborate with Acoustics & Transducer Engineering to develop integrated loudspeaker systems.

Work closely with Quality, Manufacturing , Supply Chain, and Operations throughout the product lifecycle.

WhatMakes You a Strong Fit

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Structural Engineering, or related technical discipline.

1 2 + years of product development engineering experience.

5 + years of leadership experience managing engineering teams and technical leaders.

Strong technical background in mechanical design, materials, manufacturing processes, structural analysis, and product development.

Proven ability to lead global engineering organizations and influence cross-functional teams.

Bonus Points if You Have

Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Management, or related discipline.

Experience designing and manufacturing professional loudspeaker systems.

Expertise with SolidWorks, PDM systems, FEA, COMSOL, MATLAB, Python, and related engineering tools.

Experience with suspension systems, rigging, life-safety requirements, and structural compliance.

Experience establishing rapid prototyping, model shop, and advanced manufacturing capabilities.

Passion for music, live sound, and engineering innovation.

Success Measures

• Product quality, reliability, and customer satisfaction On-time delivery of mechanical designs and prototypes.
• Manufacturing readiness, cost, and design robustness Execution of the strategic roadmap through effective resource planning Strong cross-functional collaboration Continuous improvement of engineering processes, tools, and prototyping capabilities.

The Director serves as the engineering authority for mechanical design, enclosure technologies, structural systems, manufacturing solutions, and rapid prototyping, delivering the engineering solutions and component technologies that enable JBL Professional to create industry-leading products and platforms.

Things To Know

Willingness to travel 5% - 10% of the time (Mexico, China and other global locations)

Willingness to work in an office in Northridge, CA

Successfully completing a background investigation and drug screen as a condition of employment

What You Can Expect

• Access to employee discounts on HARMAN and Samsung products (including JBL, Harman/Kardon, AKG, and others)
• Learning and development opportunities throughour award-winningHARMAN Universityprograms
• Wellness benefits designed to support your overall well-being
• Access to the HARMANcampusfitnesscenter andcafeteria, where available

Pay Transparency

$ 199,500 - $ 292,600

Dependent on the position offered, other forms of compensation are also available, such as bonuses or commission.

Pay is based on a wide range of factors, including, without limitation, skill set, experience, training, location, and business need. While the above range is a reasonable estimate of the wage range for this position, please note the disclosed range estimate has not been adjusted for the applicable geographical differential associated with the location where the position may be filled.

Benefits

HARMAN is interested in the health and wellbeing of you and your family and offers a range of benefits designed to support your needs for holistic wellbeing.

• paid vacation and holidays
• paid sick leave
• volunteer leave
• paid bonding and care giver leave
• comprehensive medical
• dental
• vision plans
• fertility support and adoption assistance
• Health Savings and Flexible Spending Accounts
• retirement savings plan with employer match
• short and long term disability coverage
• life insurance
• and more

About HARMAN: Where Innovation Unleashes Next-Level Technology

Ever since the 1920s, we’ve been amplifying the sense of sound. Today, that legacy endures, with integrated technology platforms that make the world smarter, safer, and more connected.

Across automotive, lifestyle, and digital transformation solutions, we create innovative technologies that turn ordinary moments into extraordinary experiences. Our renowned automotive and lifestyle solutions can be found everywhere, from the music we play in our cars and homes to venues that feature today’s most sought-after performers, while our digital transformation solutions serve humanity by addressing the world’s ever-evolving needs and demands. Marketing our award-winning portfolio under 16 iconic brands, such as JBL, Mark Levinson, and Revel, we set ourselves apart by exceeding the highest engineering and design standards for our customers, our partners and each other.

You Belong Here

HARMAN is committed to making every employee feel welcomed, valued, and empowered. No matter what role you play, we encourage you to share your ideas, voice your distinct perspective, and bring your whole self with you – all within a support-minded culture that celebrates what makes each of us unique. We also recognize that learning is a lifelong pursuit and want you to flourish. We proudly offer added opportunities for training, development, and continuing education, further empowering you to live the career you want.

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. HARMAN attracts, hires, and develops employees based on merit, qualifications and job-related performance.( www.harman.com )

HARMAN is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation during the application process, please contact us at [e-mail] . Requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis in accordance with applicable law.