Internship Animation Sound Design Jobs in Detroit, MI

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.
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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Salary Ranges:
$ 78,750 - $ 115,500
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.