HARMAN

Software Project Leader

Bucharest - Bucharest, Romania Full time

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

As a Software Project Lead at HARMAN, you will be responsible for driving the successful delivery of the Stratus NAD (Network Access Device) software platform into global Telematics Control Unit (TCU) programs. You will lead and coordinate all software‑related activities throughout the lifecycle, ensuring delivery in accordance with schedule, budget, and quality targets.

You will serve as the primary interface between the Stratus platform engineering organization and customer program teams on all software topics. This is a global, cross‑functional orchestration role with no direct reports but substantial responsibility for leading virtual teams across regions and disciplines.

What You Will Do

Customer & Program Leadership

  • Serve as the face of the Stratus NAD software team for internal programs and OEM customers.

  • Support delivery of next‑generation telematics platforms with strong alignment to customer expectations, carrier requirements, and global telecom regulations.

  • Represent the software program in executive reviews, quality milestones, and operational meetings.

Software Project Planning & Delivery

  • Plan, monitor, and control all activities across the NAD software development lifecycle, including:

    • Integration of 4G/5G/RedCap/NB‑NTN modem technologies

    • Telephony and data services compliant with 3GPP standards

    • SIM/eSIM management (eUICC, RSP profiles)

    • Linux‑based NAD platform services and middleware

    • GNSS and positioning service integration

    • FOTA/LOTA update framework and secure OTA workflows

    • Diagnostics (UDS/DoIP), logging, and system health monitoring

    • Cybersecurity modules, secure boot, encryption & PKI

  • Coordinate software maturity gate readiness, ensuring all work products (requirements, design, code releases, test evidence, release notes) meet HARMAN and customer quality standards.

  • Drive cross‑domain integration activities, defect triaging, prioritization, and closure.

Cross‑Functional Coordination

  • Orchestrate global virtual teams across software, platform, modem vendors, systems engineering, validation, certification, and DevOps.

  • Ensure strong alignment between requirements, design decisions, technical dependencies, and release deliverables.

  • Collaborate with chipset suppliers (Qualcomm, Samsung, MediaTek) and partner engineering teams to ensure stable and timely software integration.

Process & Quality Management

  • Define and deploy project-specific software processes aligned with HARMAN’s global PLM300 process and Automotive SPICE® practices.

  • Track compliance with development lifecycle processes, audits, and quality gate criteria.

  • Ensure risks and issues are proactively identified, escalated, and mitigated.

Status Reporting & Governance

  • Create and maintain the NAD software milestone schedule, synchronized with overall program planning, customer timelines, and supplier deliveries.

  • Provide recurring, transparent program status updates covering progress, risks, dependencies, and next steps.

  • Lead software readiness reviews for program, operations, carrier certification, and customer releases.

What You Need to Be Successful

  • Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Information Technology, or Business Administration.

  • Strong software project management experience in globally distributed development environments using Waterfall and Agile methodologies.

  • Experience with complex embedded systems, ideally in connectivity modules or telematics ECUs.

  • Ability to break down complex systems into manageable components with clear dependencies.

  • Proven leadership in matrix environments with 10+ team members directly or indirectly involved.

  • Strong analytical, problem‑solving, communication, and decision‑making skills.

  • Knowledge of Automotive SPICE® or CMMI process frameworks.

Bonus Points if You Have

  • Certified Project Management Professional (PMP, PMI‑ACP).

  • Automotive industry experience, especially in connectivity, telematics, or embedded platforms.

  • Experience delivering programs at Automotive SPICE Level 2 or higher.

  • Background in embedded Linux, modem integration, mobile telecommunications, or RF systems.

What Makes You Eligible

  • Be willing to travel up to 30%, domestic and international travel.

  • Be willing to work in a Harman office in Germany or Romania.

  • Successfully complete a background investigation and drug screen as a condition of employment (post-offer).

  • This position requires the use of a HARMAN or customer-owned vehicle. As such, any offer of employment will be contingent upon having a clean driving record, which will be evaluated and determined in HARMAN’s sole discretion, no more than four (4) active points for moving violations (issued by any motor vehicle agency), and no references to operating a vehicle under the influence of controlled substances within the last 10 years.

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

#LI-AB3

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.