Principal Engineer, Magnet Expert

About the Role

You will be the magnet composition, material, and process expert in the global automotive speaker engineering team. You will be responsible for defining and testing the magnet chemical compositions, material properties, and manufacturing processes necessary to meet product performance, production durability, and cost requirements.

• Optimize supplier compositions, influence supplier processes, and potentially reduce costs by providing in‑house expertise to challenge supplier claims and drive technology development.
• Evaluate new suppliers, understand material differences, and help commonize specifications across multiple sources to ensure interchangeability and quality.
• Support new product development, R&D projects, and be the lead expert for all magnet material composition and magnet manufacturing process‑related engineering activities.
• Participate in the development of common work practices, procedures, and design standards with other engineering teams, manufacturing teams, and procurement teams.
• Ensure that necessary documentation is provided that defines and verifies magnet selection and application to meet design performance and reliability requirements.
• Keep abreast of the latest developments in world‑class best practices related to magnet application, analysis, materials, and manufacturing techniques.
• Work with a team of design engineering, manufacturing, test, quality, and supplier engineering members, coordinating activities among team members with direct or indirect reporting structures.
• Foresee technology opportunities beyond specific divisional or platform spaces and develop a point of view on standards in the specific area of expertise.

• Master’s degree in Material Science.
• 10 years of overall magnet industry‑related work experience.
• Knowledge and use of various analysis methodologies.
• Understanding of world‑class best practices in magnet applications.
• Deep knowledge of magnet chemical composition and processing.

• Working knowledge of OEM customers’ expectations and requirements.
• Detail‑oriented with demonstrated ability from theoretical to implementation‑based thinking.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Proactive, anticipates issues, and makes decisions to address issues before they arise.
• Background and experience in automotive speakers.
• Thorough understanding of best‑practice laboratory procedures and the use of laboratory equipment.

• Willing to travel up to 15%, domestic and international.
• Willing to work in the R&D Center in Novi, US in a hybrid work environment.
• Successfully complete a background investigation and drug screen as a condition of employment.

$120,750 - $177,100

• Life insurance, paid vacation, paid 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.
• Learning and development opportunities; extensive training through HARMAN University.
• Extensive wellness benefits.

HARMAN is an equal‑opportunity employer and is committed to hiring the best qualified candidates. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, disability or other legally protected characteristics. Applicants are hired based on merit, qualifications and job‑related performance.