Computational Designer for Car Audio

About the Role

As a Design Specialist, you will play a crucial role in crafting innovative and impactful design solutions that align with our vision and values. Leveraging your specialized expertise, you will independently tackle complex challenges and contribute to the success of projects with minimal guidance. You'll work across disciplines, acting as a resource for colleagues and guiding less experienced team members to elevate the quality of the work.
In this role, you will lead small-scale projects or manage key tasks within larger initiatives, ensuring seamless collaboration and alignment with business goals. You'll bring a fresh perspective to problem-solving, integrating creativity and analytical thinking to develop solutions that make a tangible impact. Your ability to communicate complex ideas clearly and build consensus will be essential in ensuring the success of both your team and the projects you contribute to.
This is an opportunity to make a significant impact, with room to stabilize and grow your career while contributing to a team that values creativity, collaboration, and innovation. If you thrive on solving challenges, mentoring peers, and delivering exceptional design work, this role is for you.

As a Computational Designer

As an Computational Designer at Harman Automotive, you will leverage your expertise in parametric modeling, automation, and generative design to develop cutting-edge solutions that enhance efficiency and creativity in the design process. You will work independently to solve complex computational challenges while collaborating with cross-functional teams to integrate digital workflows into broader project goals.
In this role, you will drive innovation by implementing advanced computational methodologies, optimizing design processes, and exploring new digital technologies. You will also act as a resource for junior team members, sharing your knowledge and expertise to elevate the team's technical capabilities. This position offers the opportunity to refine your skills in a dynamic and forward-thinking environment, where computational design plays a key role in shaping innovative solutions.

What You Will Do

• Design with a Computational Approach: Apply your expertise in computational design, parametric modeling, and algorithm-driven workflows to develop innovative solutions that enhance efficiency and creativity in the automotive audio design process.
• Collaborate Across Disciplines: Work closely with industrial designers, UX researchers, and engineers to integrate computational design methodologies into broader design strategies, incorporating insights from user journeys, ergonomic considerations, and functional requirements.
• Present Your Work: Deliver impactful presentations using parametric models, generative design prototypes, and high-fidelity renderings to effectively communicate your computational design concepts to stakeholders, marketing teams, and project leads.
• Develop Computational Design Assets: Create and maintain parametric design systems, digital libraries, and automation scripts to ensure scalability, efficiency, and consistency across digital and physical automotive audio components.
• Collaborate with Engineering and Development Teams: Partner with developers and engineers to integrate computational design solutions seamlessly, addressing technical constraints while maintaining design intent and manufacturability.
• Prototyping Support: Leverage digital fabrication processes to support prototyping efforts for proof-of-concepts and demo properties
• Stay Ahead of Trends: Keep up-to-date with the latest advancements in computational design, generative algorithms, machine learning for design automation, and digital fabrication techniques to deliver innovative and forward-thinking solutions.
• Contribute to Team Collaboration: Build strong working relationships with colleagues, suppliers, and customers to foster effective cross-functional collaboration, ensuring your computational designs align with the overall project vision and business objectives.

What You Need

• Educational Background: A bachelor's or master's degree in computational design, Industrial Design, Architecture, or a related field with a strong focus on parametric modeling and algorithmic design.
• Professional Experience: At least 5+ years of experience in computational design, parametric modeling, or generative design workflows, with a focus on concept development, automation, and scalable design solutions.
• Computational Design Expertise: Strong understanding of algorithmic modeling, procedural design, and data-driven design methodologies, with experience integrating computational workflows into industrial or automotive design projects.
• Technical Skills: Advanced skills in Rhino, Grasshopper, and scripting languages such as Python, C# or C++. Experience with design automation, digital fabrication processes, and simulation-based optimization techniques.
• Communication Skills: Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate complex computational design ideas through parametric models, prototypes, and visual presentations.
• Brand Understanding: A clear grasp of brand values and the ability to translate them into computationally-driven, cohesive design solutions.
• Collaboration: Experience working in cross-functional teams and distributed environments, adapting computational design solutions to diverse project needs.

What is Nice to Have

• Passion for Craft: A strong enthusiasm for computational design and a desire to push the boundaries of algorithm-driven creativity.
• Automotive Design Experience: Familiarity with automotive design challenges and an ability to contribute expertise in areas such as generative aesthetics, material optimization, or acoustics-driven parametric design.
• Collaborative Teamwork: A track record as a motivated team player, excelling in collaboration and supporting broader team objectives.
• Technical Creativity: Experience in areas like AI-driven generative design, digital fabrication, or simulation-based design approaches, design for additive manufacturing.
• Language Skills: Advanced English proficiency, with other language skills being a bonus.
• Appreciation for Music: An understanding of music's role in automotive experiences and how it informs design decisions.

What Makes You Eligible

• Travel Readiness: Willingness to travel up to 10% of the time, domestically or internationally, as required by project needs.
• Collaboration Days: Ability to work remotely, with weekly attendance in the office on Wednesdays for collaboration days and occasional short-notice trips (minimum 24 hours' notice) to designated office locations.
• Driving Record: Possession of a clean driving record, with no more than 4 active points for moving violations and no instances of operating a vehicle under the influence of controlled substances within the last 10 years, as the role may involve the use of a HARMAN or customer-owned vehicle.
• Compliance Requirements: Successful completion of a drug screen as a condition of employment.

What We Offer

• Flexible Work Environment: Enjoy a flexible work schedule with a culture that encourages work-life integration and collaboration in a global environment.
• Exclusive Discounts: Access employee discounts on world-class Harman and Samsung products, including JBL, HARMAN Kardon, AKG, and more.
• Professional Growth: Benefit from extensive training opportunities through HARMAN University's business and leadership academies to support continuous learning and career development.
• Recognition & Rewards: Participate in the "Be Brilliant" employee recognition and rewards program to celebrate achievements and contributions.
• Wellness Benefits: Competitive benefits that promote employee well-being and work-life balance.
• Inclusive Culture: Be part of a diverse and inclusive workplace that fosters both professional and personal growth, encouraging a positive and collaborative environment.
• On-Campus Facilities: Enjoy access to the HARMAN Campus Fitness Center and Cafeteria, offering a healthy and convenient work environment.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Receive support for further education and skill development through our tuition reimbursement program.