Description & Requirements
About the role
As an Early Engagement Manager embedded in a CAM Pursuit management team, you drive pre‑RFI customer engagement to build trusted partnerships with OEM stakeholders and shape customer needs early. You work with CAM, Pursuit, SBU Product Management and Div Tech to translate VOC, competitive and market insights into clear business opportunities and customer-ready value propositions. You help validate new offerings with customers and support early proof points through demos/showcases. You also help teams follow standard ways of working by applying agreed methods and tools (pipeline, documentation, playbooks), keeping engagement data current and consistent.
What You Will Do
* Drive pre‑RFI customer engagement activities with OEM decision-makers to shape needs, requirements and architecture early.
* Build and nurture customer partnerships by expanding engagement beyond engineering/procurement to include planning, pre-development, tech-scouting, marketing and business leadership.
* Identify, qualify and shape new opportunities based on market trends, customer context and portfolio value propositions.
* Translate VOC, market and competitive insights into clear internal input for product positioning and roadmap discussions with SBU and Div Tech.
* Validate new product offerings from SBU and Div Tech with customers (problem fit, value, differentiators, adoption barriers) and capture actionable feedback.
* Support early opportunity enablement (e.g., demo cars, showcases, proof points) to mature concepts and validate feasibility.
* Co-create customer-facing narratives (storytelling, value proposition, content) that support early engagement and downstream pursuits.
* Contribute to innovative go‑to‑market models by working with OEM business teams and internal stakeholders on partnership and commercialization concepts.
* Apply and promote standard methods and tools for early engagement execution (common templates, pipeline tracking, documentation discipline).
* Maintain accurate pipeline and engagement documentation in the defined tools/repositories; ensure transparency for CAM and pursuit planning.
* Lead project work impacting the sub-function (P4 expectation) and coordinate external vendors supporting showcases/events as needed.
What you need
* Automotive experience in early engagement / pre-sales / business development, with confidence working with OEM stakeholders.
* Min. 10 years of working experience in Automotive (OEM, Tier-1 or Tier2)
* Strong relationship-building skills and ability to earn access and engagement with cross-functional customer influencers.
* Ability to turn VOC and market/competitive data into clear opportunity strategies and internal actions.
* Strong execution discipline: planning, prioritization, and delivery across multiple parallel initiatives in a matrix setup.
* Comfortable applying and reinforcing standard methods and tools (pipeline hygiene, documentation, playbooks).
* Specialized depth/breadth in the field; works independently with guidance only in complex situations; leads others to solve complex problems; leads projects impacting the sub-function; manages external vendors with accountability.
What We Offer
* Flexible work environment, allowing for full-time remote work globally for positions that can be performed outside a HARMAN or customer location
* Access to employee discounts on world-class Harman and Samsung products (JBL, HARMAN Kardon, AKG, etc.)
* Extensive training opportunities through our own HARMAN University
* Competitive wellness benefits
* Tuition Reimbursement
* Access to HARMAN Campus Fitness Center and Cafeteria
* An inclusive and diverse work environment that fosters and encourages professional and personal development
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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.
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.
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.()