Engineer, Customer Quality

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 every day.

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:

• Reporting to the Manager Customer Quality, this posiiton is responsible for customer quality interfacing with customer and internal teams for Data Communication Module (DCM).

• This is a key interface role, working as part of a global cross-functional program team, driving activities that achieve benchmark levels of quality performance, customer support and satisfaction.

Your Team:

• This role has no direct subordinates or supervisory responsibilities. Supervision of third party contractors may be required.

What You Will Do:

• Have regular meetings with Japan OEM to review corrective action status for any complaints, and to report updates on quality improvement activities for both 0Km & Field Quality.
• Proactively work closely with HARMAN cross-functional teams and plants globally to ensure quality issues are closed and quality improvement activities are executed to achieve ‘Green scorecards.
• Maintain an expert knowledge of Hino’s Supplier Quality Assurance Manual (‘SQAM’), and ensure these requirements are understood and met by HARMAN.
• Maintain deep knowledge of HARMAN Business & Quality Management System (BMS), (QMS)
• Acquire deep technical knowledge of DCM (and of Car Audio) including Specs, Requirements, Past Issues for Lessons Learned and of the wider industry.
• Use Harman internal enterprise tools, i.e., ODA & JIRA for development, QLIK Sense for quality data analytics, Teamcenter enterprise software platform for Product Lifecycle Management elements.
• Be a ‘Driver” - to positively and proactively find opportunity to improve HARMAN products quality performance to our target level and also our competitor’s benchmark.
• Be the ‘customer voice and advocate’ inside HARMAN for quality. Ensure Harman quality plans and strategies are aligned to customer requirements to ensure correct focus and activities.
• Support the permanent resolution of quality issues through effective disciplined problem-solving approaches using quality tools & data analytics, mentoring and steering teams to close issues.
• Identify, prioritize and track key issues in an effective and timely manner, working with needed support. Arrange and lead needed conference call meetings as necessary.
• Maintaining appropriate databases and records in our Quality Management System, analyzing and monitoring trends, preparing summary reports for both internal and customer presentation.
• Monitor and analyze data to identify and quickly resolve trends issues and raise issues for support. Participate in the preparation of PPM reduction improvement plans and monitor their progress.
• Ensure that improvements to prevent defects are reflected in company products, processes and control systems, Design/Process FMEA, Control Plans and Best Practices - ‘Closed Loop Quality’
• Support customer audits of the company's quality systems and processes and participate in self-audits when required to identify opportunities for quality improvement.
• Involve early in product development (PLM) cycle to ensure quality requirements are met, Work with development team. Participate in internal and external Design Reviews (DR), & M-Gates as required.
• Support preparation of Safe Launch Plans of new programs with Harman Plants and Analysis Labs. This includes preparation and set up of test jigs as necessary in Japan for preliminary checks.
• Mitigate and eliminate Cost Of Poor Quality (‘COPQ’) for any inspections at OEM. Make sure to have clean points established quickly and that the customer is protected from any quality outflows.
• Ensure field support actions meets the needs of HARMAN and our customers. This includes dealership visits (‘Genchi Gembutsu’) , conducting preliminary testing bench and diagnostic analysis of field returns as required (including 0-Km), setting up and coordinating third party service providers.
• Conduct preliminary bench check tasks that include:
  • Connect DCM to confirm functionality, duplicate complaint and download SW log data.
  • Perform accurate and valid parameter measurements using industry standard test equipment.
  • Have understanding electronic circuits from schematic diagrams and blueprints.
  • Identify improvements to bench testing and troubleshooting methods.
• Identify and support the preparation of annual capital budget estimates to improve and upgrade test bench equipment capabilities to support business requirements.
• Role also requires back-up support to CAM in the pursuit of new business in telematics (DCM), and to ensure our customer quality capabilities are enhanced, scaled and in place to support growth.

What You Need:

• Bachelors or Master’s degree in Electronics, Electrical or Mechanical Engineering.

• Minimum of 7 to 10 years of experience in the Automotive or Electronics Industries working in Quality / Engineering / Project Management, working directly with Japanese vehicle makers (JOEM).
• Experience in Telematics, Car Audio, ECUs, or other electronic modules is preferable.
• Advanced business level proficiency in English & Japanese (Written & Spoken)
• Excellent positive interpersonal and communication skills.
• High skill levels in Microsoft - Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook & MS Teams.
• Be able to work independently, make good judgment, see full picture from strategic and tactical sides
• Integrity and ethical behaviors matching Harman cultural values and leadership framework (‘LSF’)
• Have a mindset based on critical thinking; ‘out of box’ thinking to find solutions and taking initiative
• Must be a co-operative team player comfortable working in a fast-paced diverse work environment
• High level ability for good planning, work prioritization and coordinating multiple activities concurrently.
• Has a passion to develop skills. to innovate, to adopt and drive change

What is Nice to Have:

• Knowledge of IATF16949:2016, VDA 6.3
• Other Certifications or Technical Licenses (Quality, Electrical, Project Management, Others)
• Interest in Sustainability, New Vehicle Technologies (‘CASE’), ‘IoT’ (Internet of Things)

What Makes You Eligible:

• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally (Up to 25%)
• Willingness to work in an office and attend meetings at customer locations.
• Clean Japanese Driving license

What We Offer

• We offer an authentic, diverse, equal, and inclusive work environment that fosters and encourages professional and personal development in a truly global organization.
• You will work on products and services that touch people’s lives and will change the industrial standards, being a part of the transformations in our industry.
• Our work environments are fast paced, challenging, empowering, collaborative, flexible and exciting.
• We offer our own HARMAN University with regular updates on the new technologies and trends by utilizing various sessions organized by Self Learning and Development Trainings to help grow and advance talent.
• We offer competitive compensation/benefit programs and recognition programs.

HARMAN is proud to be an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard torace, 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.