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General information

Location:
Garching - Bavaria, Germany - Parking 1-5 Business Campus
Job Family:
Engineering
Worker Type Reference:
Regular - Permanent
Pay Rate Type:
Salary
Career Level:
M4
Job ID:
R-53058-2026

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

About the Role

The Director, Cost & Sustainability Engineering defines and executes cost and sustainability engineering strategy across HARMAN's Automotive division considering all regions, business units and customers. The created strategy is used to define overall profitability, sustainability and growth goals for HARMAN Automotive. The role is responsible for reaching the defined goals with driving cross-functional implementation of Technical and Commercial measures in collaboration with, mainly but not exclusively, Procurement, Engineering, Customer Account Management, Manufacturing and Suppliers. The role is also responsible for optimizing a multibillion-dollar spend and expected to deliver benchmark performance and defined sustainability goals over multiple years to enable divisional level growth results. The role reports into Best Cost Analytics in the Strategic Procurement and Partnering Function of our global Operations.


Your Team

This position will report to the VP, Best Cost Analytics and will have a global team of ~ 15 team direct reports and leading cost improvement strategy and execution from multiple stakeholder groups.

What You Will Do

  • Establish the vision, goal, framework, processes and methods needed to enable profitability, sustainability and growth goals with highly accurate cost/CO2e modeling (TCO) across entire HARMAN Automotive division (all products, regions and customers).

  • Establish the vision for Lifecycle Assessment of emissions (CO2e) and build capabilities to achieve carbon neutrality per HARMAN Automotive sustainability objectives.

  • Define divisional profitability, sustainability goal and execution strategy on respective areas (see above) with senior leadership of the division.

  • Develop, align and execute divisional wide strategy to assemble and enable highly effective cross-functional teams (including Procurement/Engineering/Manufacturing/Account Management), which create overarching profitability, sustainability strategies and deliver commercial and technical measures.

  • Build and enroll strategy with the executive leadership team of HARMAN and suppliers to identify framework of reaching cost transparency and best cost which ensures HARMAN's overall competitiveness on the market.

  • Support Make versus Buy analysis process to Controlling, Category and Operation organization.

  • Define and deliver advanced sourcing, design to cost, CO2e reduction and manufacturing and sourcing strategy of current and new HARMAN products in close collaboration with state of the art supply chain partners.

  • Create and execute supplier and customer cost negotiation strategy with Procurement and Customer Account teams.

  • Ensure day-to-day development and delivery of cost and CO2e models by establishing required processes and methods to drive consistent practices within the cost engineering team and reflecting industry best practices. This includes the processes necessary to keep the cost & CO2e models up to date with current information and best known methods.

  • Develop synergy programs within Samsung Group to leverage scale in business.

  • Lead Component Engineering effort across the Division to create component library which meets HARMAN Automotive’s long term product strategy, profitability, sustainability and growth.

  • Build development strategy of internal teams to reach a cost-conscious mindset across all teams of Automotive division.

  • Lead, coach and develop staff through training and succession planning processes to maximize their potential for the benefit of the individual and company.

What You Need to Be Successful

  • Minimum 15+ years of experience in Cost Engineering /Sustainability/VM/Procurement or Manufacturing/Engineering, preferably in the Automotive industry.

  • Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Business Administration or Economy.

  • Minimum 10+ years of experience in cost engineering/VM/design to cost/manufacturing.

  • Minimum 10+ years of experience and ability to lead diverse global teams to improve profitability, sustainability growth, innovation, and time to market commitments.

  • Proven experience with scientifical expertise in semiconductor as its related to chip, device, modem, memory device; more than 10 years in semiconductor industry

  • Proven track record of outstanding engaging skills in diverse, cross-functional teams including executive stakeholders to embrace continuous improvement in a highly competitive environment.

  • Strong negotiation and relationship building skills.

Bonus Points if You Have

  • Master’s degree.

  • Experience with automotive electronics is highly desirable.

  • Demonstrated ability to build cross-functional collaboration models which identify and implement improvements in the area of sourcing, design and manufacturing in automotive electronics.

  • Experience in corporate level design to cost/manufacturing programs.

  • Proven team player with excellent communication, collaboration and interpersonal skills.

  • Change Orientation: able to adapt to changing demands and conditions.

  • German, Chinese and/or Hungarian language skills are a plus.

What Makes You Eligible

  • Be willing to travel up to 20%, domestic and international travel.

  • Be willing to work in our office in Garching in a hybrid setup.

What We Offer

  • Flexible work environment with a culture encouraging work-life integration and collaboration in a global environment.

  • Access to employee discounts on world-class HARMAN/Samsung products (JBL, Harman Kardon, AKG etc.).

  • Extensive training opportunities through our own HARMAN University.

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

  • “Be Brilliant” employee recognition and rewards program.

  • Work on best-in-class emerging technologies and an atmosphere that motivates you to give your best.

#LI-Hybrid

#LI-AJ1

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: harmancareers@harman.com.

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 harmancareers@harman.com. Requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis in accordance with applicable law.