Director, UX Research & Strategy

Harman; Novi (MI); Hybrid; USD 161,000 - 237,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Hybrid work model

Paid vacation and holidays

Retirement plan with employer match

Job summary

HARMAN is recruiting a Director, UX Research & Strategy in Novi, Michigan. You will lead a team shaping consumer-driven experiences across in- cabin systems, audio, and connectivity, turning insights into roadmaps and product decisions.

Open to a hybrid work arrangement, you will collaborate with Product, Design, and Engineering to deliver cohesive experiences that reinforce OEM brand identity and deliver measurable value.

Qualifications

• Leadership experience in UX Research, UX Strategy, Human-Centered Design, Product Strategy.
• Ability to translate human needs, market signals, and technology shifts into differentiated experiences.
• Deep expertise in mixed-method UX research and usability evaluation.
• Experience in automotive UX research with global OEMs.
• Strong communication and storytelling to align senior stakeholders.
• Experience in Human-Computer Interaction, Psychology or related disciplines.

Responsibilities

• Lead UX Research & Strategy for HARMAN Automotive and set the consumer-led experience vision.
• Translate consumer needs and market trends into opportunity spaces and UX targets.
• Define future product experiences across cockpit, audio, connectivity, and driver assistance.
• Ensure evidence-based decisions validated by consumers and OEMs.
• Develop scalable research methods, frameworks, and quality standards.
• Lead and coach a high-performing team.

Skills

UX Research

UX Strategy

Human-Centered Design

Product Strategy

Leadership

Communication

Job description

Description & Requirements

Introduction: A Career at HARMAN Automotive

We're a global, multi-disciplinary team that's putting the innovative power of technology to work and transforming tomorrow. At HARMAN Automotive, we give you the keys to fast-track your career.

• Engineer audio systems and integrated technology platforms that augment the driving experience
• Combine ingenuity, in-depth research, and a spirit of collaboration with design and engineering excellence
• Advance in-vehicle infotainment, safety, efficiency, and enjoyment

What You'll Be Apart Of

As Director, UX Research & Strategy, you will lead the team that turns consumer and automotive OEM understanding into experience direction for HARMAN Automotive. You will identify, shape, and validate future in-cabin experiences across our hardware and software product portfolio and translate them with Product Management, Design, and Engineering into roadmaps and product decisions.

Your mandate is to make our products better together with intuitive, immersive, and safe experiences that consumers value and that reinforce our OEM customers' brand identity.

With your team of UX Researchers and UX Strategists you will be responsible for developing scalable operating models, establishing best practices, and developing UX Research & Strategy into HARMAN Automotive's strategic experience organization.

How You'll Make An Impact

• Own UX Research & Strategy for HARMAN Automotive and set the consumer-led experience vision and research agenda across the portfolio.
• Make user evidence the starting point of our UX-first product development process. Guide the translation of consumer needs, market and technology trends, OEM brand intent, vehicle-segment targets, and automotive constraints into opportunity spaces, experience principles, UX targets, and measurable success criteria.
• Set the direction to identify and define future product experiences across cockpit, audio, connectivity, and driver assistance in and beyond the car so individual products work as one coherent in-cabin experience.
• Orchestrate evidence-based decision making across our product portfolio ensuring that desirability, usability, trust, and relevance are validated with consumers and OEMs.
• Build a closed feedback loop from research and competitive benchmarking through concepts, demonstrators, and customer engagements into product and portfolio roadmaps.
• Partner with Product and Portfolio Management, Automotive Design, and Engineering to turn validated experiences into product definitions, roadmap priorities, and differentiated OEM value propositions.
• Establish scalable research and strategy methods, experience frameworks, and quality standards.
• Lead and coach a high-performing team focusing on business value.

What Makes You A Strong Fit

• Demonstrated leadership experience in UX Research, UX Strategy, Human-Centered Design, Product Strategy, or a related discipline and a track record of influencing product and portfolio decisions.
• A proven track record translating human needs, market signals, technology shifts, and business priorities into differentiated experiences across hardware, software, AI, multimodal interaction, and connected services.
• Deep expertise in mixed-method UX research, behavioral research, human factors, strategic foresight, concept validation, and usability evaluation, with the ability to turn evidence into decisive product strategy.
• Practical experience in automotive UX research and strategy and working with global automotive OEMs aligning user experience to brand, vehicle segments, and product-development constraints.
• Strong communication and storytelling skills, with the ability to create clarity in ambiguity and align senior stakeholders across a global organization.
• Practical experience in Human-Computer Interaction, Psychology, Human Factors, Design, Engineering, Business, Strategy, or related disciplines.

Bonus Points if You Have

• Experience in mobility, consumer electronics, digital ecosystems, or another complex connected-product environments.
• Experience with AI-enabled products, ecosystem platforms, or cross-product experience orchestration.
• PhD in Human-Computer Interaction, Cognitive Psychology, Human Factors, Behavioral Science, or a related discipline.

Things To Know

• This role is based in Novi, Michigan and follows a hybrid schedule.
• Willingness to travel up to 20%, domestic and international travel.
• Successfully complete a background investigation and drug screen as a condition of employment (Post-offer).
• Ability to work in a complex, ambiguous and dynamic environment.

What You Can Expect

• A hybrid work environment that balances flexibility with in-person collaboration, with most office-based roles onsite three days a week.
• Access to employee discounts on HARMAN and Samsung products (including JBL, Harman / Kardon, AKG, and others).
• Learning and development opportunities through our award-winning HARMAN University programs.
• Wellness benefits designed to support your overall well-being.
• Tuition reimbursement support.
• Access to the HARMAN campus fitness center and cafeteria, where available.
• An inclusive and diverse work environment that supports both your professional and personal development.

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Pay Transparency

$ 161,250 - $ 236,500

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

• Paid vacation and holidays
• Paid sick leave
• Volunteer leave
• Paid bonding and caregiver leave
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and 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

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.

If you're ready to innovate and do work that makes a lasting impact, join our talent community today!

Important Notice: Recruitment Scams

Please be aware that HARMAN recruiters will always communicate with you from an '@harman.com', '@careers.harman.com' or '@harmanglobal.avature.net' email address. We will never ask for payments, banking, credit card, personal financial information or access to your LinkedIn/email account during the screening, interview, or recruitment process. If you are asked for such information or receive communication from an email address not ending in one of the above email domains about a job with HARMAN, please cease communication immediately and report the incident to us through: [e-mail].

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.