Principal Engineer, Audio Architecture
Harman · Chengdu
HARMAN’s engineers and designers are creative, purposeful and agile. As part of this team, you’ll combine your technical expertise with innovative ideas to help drive cutting-edge solutions in the car, enterprise and connected ecosystem. Every day, you will push the boundaries of creative design, and HARMAN is committed to providing you with the opportunities, innovative technologies and resources to build a successful career.
A Career at HARMAN
As a technology leader that is rapidly on the move, HARMAN is filled with people who are focused on making life better. Innovation, inclusivity and teamwork are a part of our DNA. When you add that to the challenges we take on and solve together, you’ll discover that at HARMAN you can grow, make a difference and be proud of the work you do everyday.
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 Software System Architect is accountable for defining, governing, and driving complete software architecture solutions across Intelligent Cockpit and Central Compute products.
The Architect serves as the technical authority across platform software, middleware, audio systems, operating systems, virtualization technologies, connectivity frameworks, and application integration.
This position is responsible for translating OEM requirements into scalable and reusable software platform architectures while ensuring alignment with performance, safety, cybersecurity, cost, and product roadmap objectives.
What You Will Do
Software Architecture Leadership
- Own end-to-end software architecture for Cockpit and Central Compute products.
- Define platform software architecture, system decomposition, interface architecture, middleware frameworks, and software component allocation.
- Lead architecture reviews throughout concept, RFQ, development, DV, PV and SOP phases.
- Establish scalable software platform strategies supporting multiple OEM programs and product generations.
- Drive platform reuse and technology roadmap alignment.
- Collaborate closely with SoC Supplier engineering teams to resolve platform limitations and optimize system performance.
- Guide BSP, middleware, framework, and application integration strategies.
Audio System Architecture
- Define complete automotive audio architecture on SoC Supplier (Qualcomm and others) platforms.
- Lead architecture design for DSP processing / Amplifier integration /Audio signal routing / Audio virtualization, Voice processing solution evaluation and etc,
- Drive architecture optimization targeting latency, performance, memory footprint, and user experience.
- Support premium branded audio programs.
Cross Functional Technical Leadership
- Collaborate with:
- Product Management
- Hardware Architects
- System Architects
- Software Development Teams
- Functional Safety Teams
- Cybersecurity Teams
- OEM Engineering Teams
- Lead architecture trade-off analysis balancing:
- Product performance
- Cost
- Reusability
- Maintainability
- Certification needs
- Time-to-market
Technical Governance
- Establish software architecture guidelines, design rules, reusable assets, and best practices.
- Review software supplier architecture deliverables.
- Support technical due diligence and software supplier evaluations.
- Mentor development teams and junior architects.
What You Need to Be Successful
- Minimum bachelor degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or equivalent.
- Minimum 10+ years of experience in embedded software development experience / 5+ years of software architecture leadership experience in automotive products.
- Proven delivery experience supporting OEM production programs.
- Solid hands-on experience with Qualcomm Snapdragon platforms Gen4/4.5/5, especially automotive solution expertise in Audio framework , Audio routing, DSP processing chains, Voice architecture, Acoustic tuning concepts, multi-channel audio systems and etc.
- Strong Operating System Expertise in Android Automotive, Android Framework, QNX and Linux.
- Automotive Knowledge in Cockpit Domain Controllers, Central Compute Controller, Infotainment Systems, Connectivity Systems, Vehicle Networks/Ethernet/CAN/LIN/SOME/IP and AVB/TSN.
- Experience in cross-functional collaboration with Engineering, Procurement, Finance, Quality, and Program Management teams.
- Fluent in English, both written and spoken.
Bonus Points if You Have
- Experience with automotive OEM, Tier-1, or software platform suppliers.
- Knowledge of Functional Safety (ISO 26262) and Automotive Cybersecurity (ISO/SAE 21434).
- Experience with AI Assistant platforms and LLM integration.
- Experience with Automotive Ethernet architecture.
- Experience with Functional Safety (ISO 26262).
- Experience with Automotive Cybersecurity (ISO/SAE 21434).
- Familiarity with ASPICE processes.
What Makes You Eligible
- Willingness to travel domestically and internationally as required.
- Ability to work effectively in a highly matrixed global organization.
- Strong customer-focused mindset with the ability to balance technical, commercial, and business objectives.
- Demonstrated capability to manage complex supplier relationships and drive sustainable business outcomes.
- Fluent English communication skills, both written and verbal.
- Passion for building high-performing supplier partnerships and enabling software innovation at scale.
What We Offer
- Flexible work environment, allowing for full-time remote work globally for positions that can be performed outside a HARMAN or customer location.
- 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 / Affirmative Action employer. 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.