Executive Director, Product Trust, Functional Safety and Cybersecurity

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 HARMANAs 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 Leader of the CoE Product Trust, Functional Safety, and Cybersecurity you will lead a global team within our Centers of Excellence (CoEs) responsible for ensuring HARMAN's products meet and exceed Functional Safety and Cybersecurity requirements and expectations, from concept throughout the lifecycle.

This role reports directly to the VP Centers of Excellence, within the Divisional Product Management & Technology organization, and governs a central compliance function that intersects with all automotive and non-automotive SBUs, platforms, product lines, and central functions, as well as with key external regulators and OEM stakeholders.

What You Will Do

• Own the global strategy, governance, and operating model for Functional Safety (ISO 26262, SOTIF, ISO 8800), Cybersecurity (ISO/SAE 21434, UNECE R155/R156, CN GB/T, NHTSA), and Product Trust Assurance for AI-enabled and connected systems.

• Lead the SBU transformation towards cost effective functional safety and product cybersecurity compliance and digitalized risk governance across products and processes.

• Define enterprise-wide standards, compliance automation and AI-augmentation frameworks, and agile-ready compliance assurance architectures for internal product and project organizations.

• Institutionalize trust-by-design (including safety-by-design and security-by-design), embedding risk-aware innovation into delivery, architecture, and development workflows and processes.

• Closely collaborate with the CoE Engineering Excellence and the Divisional AI Labs to define and deploy new methods and tools to improve compliance and costs effectiveness

• Enable critical OEM programs to reach the status of ready-to-certify through collaborative and predictive trust, safety, and cyber strategies.

• Guide product teams on next-generation compliance for (Gen)AI, OTA, software-defined vehicles (SDVs), and automated driving (AD) stacks.

• Serve as the global voice of HARMAN Automotive on product trust, functional safety, and cybersecurity in customer-facing engagements  

• Drive co-creation of standards, partnerships, and certification pathways – including those for Trustworthy Automotive AI.

What You Need to Be Successful

• 15+ years of professional experience, thereof 10+ years of leadership in the Automotive or Tech sector, covering ADAS/AD, Functional Safety, Cybersecurity, and Systems Engineering

• Field-proven track record in executive-level OEM customer interaction (e.g., with VW, Mercedes, etc.) and successful OEM program launches.

• Field-tested expertise in ISO 26262, ISO/SAE 21434, UNECE WP.29, and regulatory regimes in the US, EU, and China.

• Strategic understanding of (Gen)AI, Digital Twins, OTA systems, and Connected Vehicle threat models.

• Demonstrated ability to lead large-scale teams across functional boundaries and regions.

• Experience in influencing executive stakeholders, both internally and externally.

Bonus Points if You Have

• Successfully completed Executive Education Programs at renowned universities / business schools with focus on change management, leadership of global teams, and AI.

• Experience with scaling AI in mission-critical and strongly regulated environments.

• Published contributions to international standards or industry consortia (e.g., ISO, SAE, AUTOSAR, Auto-ISAC).

What Makes You Eligible

• Bachelor's / Master's Degree in Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, or related technical field, ideally an MBA in addition.

• Be willing to travel up to 20 %, domestic and international.

What We Offer

• HARMAN offers a diverse and inclusive work environment that fosters and encourages career development opportunities, professional training and competitive market base compensation

• You will also receive top-notch employee discounts on Harman's Consumer Audio (JBL, AKG, HARMAN Kardon) and Samsung products

• Flexible work schedule with a culture encouraging work life integration and collaboration in a global friendly working atmosphere and good work-life-balance

• Attractive salary package

• Professional development opportunities through HARMAN University's business and leadership academies which also includes extensive technical trainings

• Internal talent management leadership acceleration programs

• "Be Brilliant" employee recognition and rewards program

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.

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