Contract Technical Sound Designer Jobs in Michigan

General information
Location:
Novi - Michigan, USA - Cabot Drive
Job Family:
Global Design
Worker Type Reference:
Regular - Permanent
Pay Rate Type:
Salary
Career Level:
P3
Job ID:
R-52822-2026
Description & Requirements
About HARMAN
HARMAN is a global leader in connected technologies for automotive, consumer, and enterprise markets. Our iconic audio brands - including JBL, Harman Kardon, Mark Levinson, Bang & Olufsen Automotive, AKG, Revel, and others - shape how millions of people experience sound every day.
Within automotive, HARMAN holds a unique position in the industry. Our technologies and sound brands are integrated into vehicles across a wide range of global automotive manufacturers, creating premium in-car experiences at scale.
Our award-winning Automotive Design Team works at the intersection of automotive UX/UI, branded experiences, sound innovation, and emerging technology. Together, we create next-generation interfaces and interactions that redefine how people connect with sound inside the vehicle.
Learn more about HARMAN Automotive and our branded in-car audio experiences: https://car.harman.com/solutions/car-audio
About The Role
Join HARMAN's Automotive Design Team in Novi, Michigan and help shape the future of premium in-car experiences for some of the world's most recognized audio brands.
This is not a traditional UX/UI role focused on flat mobile apps, marketing websites, or generic digital products. We are looking for a highly creative automotive experience designer who can craft emotionally engaging HMI systems, advanced touchscreen interactions, and visually sophisticated interfaces that bring our brands to life inside the vehicle.
You will create the digital face of premium automotive sound brands across OEM platforms - designing immersive experiences that combine interface design, sound interaction, motion, branding, and emerging technologies.
Working at the intersection of automotive HMI, premium branding, and future mobility, you will explore new interaction models beyond traditional lists and toggles, helping define next-generation sound experiences for millions of drivers worldwide.
This role combines high-level UX thinking with hands-on visual execution and production-ready delivery. You will collaborate with a global network of designers, developers, sound engineers, and OEM partners while maintaining strong creative ownership from concept to final integration.
If you are passionate about designing visually rich, highly polished, and emotionally resonant automotive experiences - this role offers a rare opportunity to shape products that will be publicly visible in production vehicles around the world.
What You Will Do
Design Premium Automotive Experiences

• Design visually stunning and emotionally engaging UX/UI experiences for branded automotive audio systems and sound features
• Create immersive touchscreen interfaces, interaction concepts, animations, and visual systems for in-car environments
• Develop innovative interaction models and explore alternative input mechanics beyond traditional automotive UI patterns
• Translate brand identity into highly polished digital experiences that feel premium, recognizable, and future-facing
• Design for concept vehicles, production programs, and standalone automotive applications

Bring Brands To Life On Screen

• Shape the digital identity of globally recognized audio brands across multiple OEM integrations
• Work closely with brand teams to ensure every interaction reflects the emotional character and visual language of the brand
• Create visually deep and sophisticated interfaces - balancing aesthetics, usability, motion, and technical feasibility
• Contribute to the evolution of branded HMI systems, sound interactions, and future design directions

Collaborate Across Disciplines

• Work closely with UX designers, developers, sound engineers, acoustic specialists, industrial designers, and motion designers
• Collaborate with OEM partners and understand automotive development and production workflows
• Present concepts, prototypes, and design rationale to internal stakeholders, leadership teams, and customers
• Partner with engineering teams to ensure seamless implementation and high-quality production delivery

Drive Innovation

• Research future trends in automotive UX, behavioral design, interaction systems, AI workflows, and emerging technologies
• Experiment with new tools, creative workflows, and AI-supported design approaches
• Explore future-facing experiences involving sound, motion, immersive interaction, AR/VR, and speculative UX
• Help push HARMAN's automotive experiences beyond industry standards

What We're Looking For
We are looking for a highly creative and visually driven automotive designer who combines strong conceptual thinking with exceptional execution quality.
Required Experience

• 5+ years of professional experience in Automotive UX/UI, HMI Design, or related in-vehicle experience design
• Strong portfolio demonstrating automotive touchscreen interfaces, embedded systems, or complex interaction design
• Proven experience designing visually sophisticated and production-ready digital experiences
• Understanding of OEM collaboration models and automotive software development processes
• Advanced skills in Figma and modern design workflows
• Strong understanding of interaction design, visual hierarchy, motion, and human-centered design principles
• Ability to work independently with high creative ownership and self-direction
• Strong communication and presentation skills across multidisciplinary teams

We Are Specifically Looking For Designers Who

• Create visually rich, emotionally engaging, and highly polished interfaces
• Understand interaction design beyond standard mobile app patterns
• Can balance conceptual exploration with production-ready execution
• Have strong visual craft and attention to detail
• Are passionate about sound, motion, branding, and future mobility experiences
• Thrive in highly creative and collaborative environments
• Are open to experimenting with AI tools and emerging creative workflows

Portfolio Expectations
Your portfolio should clearly demonstrate:

• Automotive HMI, touchscreen, or embedded UX/UI work
• Strong visual design craft and premium interface execution
• Complex interaction systems and user flows
• Branded digital experiences with emotional depth
• High-fidelity concepts and production-level thinking
• Innovation beyond standard app or web design patterns

What Makes This Role Unique
This is a rare opportunity to shape highly visible automotive experiences at global scale.
At HARMAN, your work will not remain a concept on a presentation slide - it will become part of production vehicles used by millions of people worldwide.
You will join an award-winning global design team with exceptional creative freedom, working on experiences that blend sound, technology, interaction, and premium branding in ways few companies in the industry can offer.
Our team collaborates with a wide range of leading automotive OEMs and works across more than a dozen world-class audio brands, giving you the opportunity to influence the future of automotive experiences across multiple markets and vehicle platforms.
What We Offer
Flexible Work Environment: Option for remote work globally for roles that can be performed outside a Harman or customer location.
Exclusive Discounts: Access to employee discounts on world-class Harman and Samsung products, including JBL, Harman Kardon, AKG, and more.
Continuous Learning: Extensive training opportunities through Harman University, supporting ongoing professional growth.
Wellness & Work-Life Balance: Competitive benefits designed to promote health, well-being, and balance.
Education Support: Tuition reimbursement program to encourage further education and skill development.
Inclusive Culture: A diverse and collaborative work environment that fosters professional and personal development while promoting a positive, inclusive culture.
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Pay Transparency
$ 78,750 - $ 115,500
Dependent on the position offered, other forms of compensation are also available, such as bonuses or commission.
Pay is based on a wide range of factors, including, without limitation, skill set, experience, training, location, and business need. While the above range is a reasonable estimate of the wage range for this position, please note the disclosed range estimate has not been adjusted for the applicable geographical differential associated with the location where the position may be filled.
Benefits
HARMAN is interested in the health and wellbeing of you and your family and offers a range of benefits designed to support your needs for holistic wellbeing. Benefits and perks may vary depending on the nature of your employment with HARMAN, and may include paid vacation and holidays, paid sick leave, volunteer leave, and paid bonding and care giver leave. Employees may also be eligible to participate in 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, and more.
About HARMAN: Where Innovation Unleashes Next-Level Technology
Ever since the 1920s, we've been amplifying the sense of sound. Today, that legacy endures, with integrated technology platforms that make the world smarter, safer, and more connected.
Across automotive, lifestyle, and digital transformation solutions, we create innovative technologies that turn ordinary moments into extraordinary experiences. Our renowned automotive and lifestyle solutions can be found everywhere, from the music we play in our cars and homes to venues that feature today's most sought-after performers, while our digital transformation solutions serve humanity by addressing the world's ever-evolving needs and demands. Marketing our award-winning portfolio under 16 iconic brands, such as JBL, Mark Levinson, and Revel, we set ourselves apart by exceeding the highest engineering and design standards for our customers, our partners and each other.
If you're ready to innovate and do work that makes a lasting impact, join our talent community today!
Important Notice: Recruitment Scams
Please be aware that HARMAN recruiters will always communicate with you from an '@harman.com', '@careers.harman.com' or '@harmanglobal.avature.net' email address. We will never ask for payments, banking, credit card, personal financial information or access to your LinkedIn/email account during the screening, interview, or recruitment process. If you are asked for such information or receive communication from an email address not ending in one of the above email domains about a job with HARMAN, please cease communication immediately and report the incident to us through: harmancareers@harman.com.
You Belong Here
HARMAN is committed to making every employee feel welcomed, valued, and empowered. No matter what role you play, we encourage you to share your ideas, voice your distinct perspective, and bring your whole self with you - all within a support-minded culture that celebrates what makes each of us unique. We also recognize that learning is a lifelong pursuit and want you to flourish. We proudly offer added opportunities for training, development, and continuing education, further empowering you to live the career you want.
HARMAN is proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer. HARMAN strives to hire the best qualified candidates and is committed to building a workforce representative of the diverse marketplaces and communities of our global colleagues and customers. 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. HARMAN attracts, hires, and develops employees based on merit, qualifications and job-related performance.(www.harman.com)
HARMAN is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation during the application process, please contact us at harmancareers@harman.com. Requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis in accordance with applicable law.