Systems Engineer, Partnerships - Sound United in Southwater

Do you want to work for some of the world’s leading audio brands? Become a part of the HARMAN team and get to work for our Sound United Business Unit. At our Sound United Business Unit, we’re passionate about bringing joy to the world through sound. As one of the largest audio portfolio companies globally, we’re home to iconic brands like Bowers & Wilkins, Denon, Marantz, Polk Audio, Definitive Technology, Classé, and Boston Acoustics. Each brand carries its own legacy, and together, we’re shaping the future of home entertainment.

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 high-end, esteemed brands like Bowers & Wilkins, Denon, Marantz, Polk Audio, Definitive Technology, Classé, and Boston Acoustics. Unite your passion for audio innovation with high-tech product development. Create pitch-perfect, cutting-edge technology that elevates the listening experience.

About the Role: Harman’s Sound United SBU, with its core brands of Bowers & Wilkins, Marantz, Denon, Classe, Polk, Definitive Technology and Boston Acoustics is revolutionizing branded audio experiences, integrating cutting‑edge technologies and user experiences into fast‑paced consumer and automotive markets. As a Systems Engineer in the Licensing & Partnerships team you will be at the forefront of this revolution, supporting technical collaboration with OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers, and technology partners, ensuring seamless integration of Sound United’s innovative solutions into customer ecosystems. As a key technical liaison, you will drive systems engineering efforts, aligning our core products, technologies and experiences with industry requirements while fostering strong partnerships. You will work closely with internal engineering teams, product management, business development, and external partners to align system architectures, drive technical requirements and deliver high‑performance solutions for next‑generation partner products.

What You Will Do:

• Branded Experience And Solution Development And Delivery: Support the coordination and execution of Sound United branded audio experiences and solutions into key partner products, driving alignment between engineering, technology providers, and OEM partners to maximize business and technical opportunities. Provide technical leadership on system architecture, component selection, and software/hardware integration, ensuring optimal performance and scalability. Translate complex customer requirements into detailed engineering specifications, ensuring product roadmaps align with OEM partner needs whilst managing risks and dependencies. Direct system/hardware/software design and integration activities through to final acoustic tuning to ensure optimal audio performance, consistent with brand requirements holding true to the product vision. Conduct system modelling, analysis, and validation to ensure interoperability and compliance. Oversee the technical review and final acoustic sign‑off for Sound United‑branded audio systems in collaboration with suppliers and OEM partners.
• Partner and Customer Engagement: Serve as a technical interface between Sound United and external partners, managing relationships and ensuring alignment of technical objectives with customer and partner business goals. Act as a technical advocate in key business meetings, clearly communicating complex technical data and driving solutions with stakeholders. Contribute to the development of technology roadmaps and strategic partnerships, influencing licensing and next‑generation audio innovations for the consumer/automotive sector. Prepare and present detailed technical reports, whitepapers, and PoC demonstrations to clients, ensuring clear communication of progress, challenges, and technical achievements.
• Industry Research & Innovation: Stay at the forefront of emerging technologies, industry standards, and market trends, providing strategic insights that drive product and brand innovation in key markets and sectors of interest. Collaborate closely with internal R&D teams to shape and contribute to long‑term technical roadmaps, ensuring alignment with both current and future market needs. Lead efforts to prototype and evaluate new audio technologies, facilitating innovation through collaborative research with a lens on both technical and economic perspectives. Represent Sound United at industry forums, conferences, and partner events, fostering relationships and promoting the company’s vision for next‑gen automotive audio technology.

What You Need to Be Successful:

• At least 5 years of experience in the Audio industry for the related experience.
• BS or MS in Engineering, Acoustics or a related field; demonstratable experience in either consumer product or automotive systems engineering, with a focus on partnerships or cross‑company collaboration.
• Excellent leadership skills with a consistent track record of driving product delivery and operational excellence with OEMs, Tier‑1 suppliers, and technology providers.
• Proven experience of leading definition, development and integration of high‑performance audio products.
• Experience with audio test/measurement equipment and industry‑relevant tuning tools and platforms.
• Strategic problem solver and influencer with the ability to identify and exploit new opportunities and technologies.
• Dynamic, able to learn quickly; self‑starter and unafraid to ask questions.
• Good written and verbal communication skills – able to translate complex problems/issues into simple to understand form; able succinctly compile and compose written reports and presentations.
• A passion for engineering and audio.

Bonus Points If You Have:

• Experience in transducer design, utilizing common design tools and test methods.

What Makes You Eligible:

• Willingness to travel up to 20%, Domestic, European and occasionally International.

What We Offer:

• A flexible work schedule where you will be able to work from home up to 40% and the remaining days in our office in United Kingdom.
• You are going to work in an international team within a friendly global working atmosphere.
• HARMAN offers a diverse and inclusive work environment that fosters and encourages career development opportunities, professional training and competitive market base compensation.
• Professional development opportunities through HARMAN University’s business and leadership academies.
• Internal talent management leadership acceleration programs.
• "Be Brilliant" employee recognition and rewards program.
• Top‑notch employee discounts on world class HARMAN products (JBL, HARMAN Kardon, Bowers & Wilkins, AKG etc.).
• A unique opportunity to contribute to drive revenue growth and nurture strategic trust‑based relationships.

Join HARMAN and discover a world of endless possibilities!