Independent Contractor Software Developer Jobs in Detroit, MI

General information
Location:
Novi - Michigan, USA - Cabot Drive
Job Family:
Engineering
Worker Type Reference:
Regular - Permanent
Pay Rate Type:
Salary
Career Level:
T3
Job ID:
R-52145-2026
Description & Requirements
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 Engineer, you will bridge the gap between advanced computational design, software engineering, and artificial intelligence to support the future of branded automotive experiences. Working within our Industrial and Computational Design team, you will play a key role in translating complex design logic into scalable, user-friendly products that empower our global designers to deliver cohesive, high-performance solutions. Leveraging your specialized expertise, you will independently build the digital infrastructure for design workflows, acting as a technical specialist who translates creative intent into functional, production-ready code.
In this role, you will execute the productization of our computational design assets, turning parametric prototypes into production-ready tools, including plugins, packaged workflows, and web-based interactive experiences. You will support the maintenance of our centralized creative library, ensuring our team has seamless access to the latest tools and on-brand AI models. Your work will contribute to immersive automotive experiences by scaling brand-consistent design generation, improving industrial design workflows, and enabling interactive models-helping our teams deliver cohesive, high-quality in-cabin touchpoints with speed and precision.
Your ability to integrate AI-driven generative design with traditional industrial design excellence will be essential in ensuring we stay at the forefront of automotive innovation. This is an opportunity to contribute to the evolution of how we design, supporting the move beyond manual execution toward a future of automated, intelligent, and interactive design systems that scale our brand's DNA across the entire portfolio.
What You Will Do

• Productize Computational Workflows: Independently transition internal computational design prototypes into professional-grade, version-controlled tools (plugins, packages, and shared libraries) that are stable and documented.
• Build Web-Based Design Tools: Build and maintain web applications that expose parametric and data-driven design capabilities through intuitive interfaces.
• Enable Remote/Cloud Computation: Develop services and APIs that run geometry and design logic reliably, connecting backend computation to modern web front ends.
• Develop Interactive 3D Design Models: Create lightweight, high-performance interactive 3D visualizations in the browser to communicate design intent.
• Implement AI Generative Models: Deploy and fine-tune custom AI models specifically for branded experience designs and industrial design aesthetics.
• Optimize Workflow & Automation: Identify bottlenecks in the design process and implement automated solutions and centralized plugins across active projects.
• Manage Creative Assets: Support the "single source of truth" library for scripts, plugins, and AI assets, ensuring consistency in branded design outputs.
• Collaborate Across Disciplines: Partner with Industrial Designers, UIUX Designers, and Engineers to ensure tech-driven solutions remain grounded in human-centric design.
• Communicate & Demo: Present technical systems through intuitive interfaces and models, making computational design accessible to internal stakeholders.
• Stay Informed: Research and integrate emerging technologies in WebGL, Machine Learning, and Cloud-based computation to keep our design toolkit current.

What You Need

• Educational Background: A degree in Computer Science, Computational Design (with a creative focus), Architecture, or Industrial Design with a heavy emphasis on software development.
• Strong Software Engineering Fundamentals: 5+ years of experience building and shipping applications or internal platforms with an emphasis on reliability and maintainability.
• Web Application Development: Proficiency with modern languages (e.g., JavaScript/TypeScript and/or Python), including experience across front-end and back-end layers.

• Parametric/Computational Design Exposure: Hands-on experience with computational geometry or parametric toolchains (e.g., Grasshopper/RhinoCommon API or equivalent) or demonstrated ability to ramp quickly.

• Deployment & Collaboration: Knowledge of cloud/service deployment (CI/CD, containers) and ability to partner with platform teams to ship web applications.
• Tooling Mindset: Proven track record turning prototypes into production-ready tools (packaging, documentation, and versioning).
• AI/ML Competency: Practical experience in training or fine-tuning generative models (Stable Diffusion, LoRA, or similar).
• Brand Sensibility: A sophisticated eye for design, ensuring that automated outputs and AI generations align strictly with premium brand aesthetics.

What is Nice to Have

• Full-Stack Familiarity: Experience building bespoke web dashboards or UI/UX for design tools.
• Web-Based 3D & Visualization: Experience with WebGL or browser-based 3D frameworks (e.g., Three.js, Babylon.js).
• Automotive/Industrial Design Context: Familiarity with the constraints of physical manufacturing.
• Technical Mentorship: A passion for teaching designers how to use new tools and fostering technical literacy.
• Collaborative Teamwork: A track record as a motivated team player, excelling in collaboration and supporting broader team objectives.
• Language Skills: Advanced English proficiency, with other language skills being a bonus.
• Appreciation for Music: An understanding of music's role in automotive experiences.

Apply With

• A portfolio or examples of design tools, web applications, or platforms you've built or maintained.
• (Optional) Examples involving automation-heavy systems, complex logic, or design-adjacent tooling.

What Makes You Eligible

• Travel Readiness: Willingness to travel up to 10% of the time, domestically or internationally, as required by project needs.
• Collaboration Days: Ability to work remotely, with weekly attendance in the office in Novi, Michigan on Wednesdays for collaboration days and occasional short-notice trips (minimum 24 hours' notice) to designated office locations.
• Driving Record: Possession of a clean driving record, with no more than 4 active points for moving violations and no instances of operating a vehicle under the influence of controlled substances within the last 10 years, as the role may involve the use of a HARMAN or customer-owned vehicle.
• Compliance Requirements: Successful completion of a drug screen as a condition of employment.
• Must possess unrestricted work authorization.

What We Offer

• Flexible Work Environment: Enjoy a flexible work schedule with a culture that encourages work-life integration and collaboration in a global environment.
• Exclusive Discounts: Access employee discounts on world-class Harman and Samsung products, including JBL, HARMAN Kardon, AKG, and more.
• Professional Growth: Benefit from extensive training opportunities through HARMAN University's business and leadership academies to support continuous learning and career development.
• Recognition & Rewards: Participate in the "Be Brilliant" employee recognition and rewards program to celebrate achievements and contributions.
• Wellness Benefits: Competitive benefits that promote employee well-being and work-life balance.
• Inclusive Culture: Be part of a diverse and inclusive workplace that fosters both professional and personal growth, encouraging a positive and collaborative environment.
• On-Campus Facilities: Enjoy access to the HARMAN Campus Fitness Center and Cafeteria, offering a healthy and convenient work environment.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Receive support for further education and skill development through our tuition reimbursement program.

#LI-AA1
Pay Transparency
$ 90,750 - $ 133,100
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.