About this role
About the Role
As Program Manager, you assume overall program responsibility for delivery of complex automotive Connectivity programs within the CAM VW organization. You are accountable for timing, cost, quality, scope, risk and customer commitments from acquisition / RFQ through development, launch, SOP and post-SOP stabilization.
The role combines end-to-end program ownership with strong execution leadership, including accountability for defined customer scopes, cross-functional workstreams and supplier contributions within the Group ConMod JDM environment. You actively steer cross-functional teams and suppliers, manage changes, risks, and schedules, and serve as a direct interface to the OEM customer on program status and technical alignment.
A strong focus lies on sample and prototype management, industrialization support, change and configuration management, and structured reporting towards customer , while building broader program management depth across commercial, technical, and organizational dimensions. The role requires close collaboration with the customer within a Joint Development Model.
What You Will Do
- Lead the execution of customer programs within the VW Group portfolio and ensure delivery against agreed timing, cost, quality, scope and performance targets.
- Act as Program Manager / accountable PM for ConMod JDM scopes, including ownership of defined program workstreams, customer commitments and cross-functional deliverables.
- Take end-to-end responsibility for Change & Scope Management , including change request (CR) governance and coordination of internal and external Change Control Boards (CCBs).
- Own and maintain the Project Master Plan , including schedule definition, milestone tracking, progress monitoring, and deviation management.
- Lead and steer cross-functional teams, sub-teams, and suppliers in close alignment with Program Management and Engineering.
- Prepare, recommend and drive management and customer decisions related to cost, scope, timing, risk, claims and program trade-offs.
- Manage commercial risks and opportunities, including budget, forecast, variance, change / claim management and mitigation in alignment with Finance, Sales and Program Management leadership.
- Act as OEM customer interface for technical status, program progress, and product alignment topics.
- Own Sample and Prototype Planning as part of program execution, including PV / DV coordination, hardware availability, customer priorities and cross-site alignment
- Actively support industrialization phases , coordinating activities with manufacturing, quality, logistics, and engineering teams.
- Coordinate and support Benches and Engineering Hardware activities , ensuring alignment of hardware availability, test setups, and engineering needs.
- Prepare and maintain management and customer reporting , including dashboards, status reports, and post-SOP support (SOP +90).
- Ensure configuration management across the program lifecycle.
- Ensure PLM / Teamcenter governance for the program, including configuration discipline, data completeness, release readiness, issue follow-up and coordination of required training with the relevant tool / process owners.
- Support issue tracking, escalation preparation, and systematic follow-up of action items.
- Contribute to lessons learned and continuous improvement within the program and organization.
What You Need to Be Successful
- University degree in Engineering (Electrical, IT, Mechanical, Industrial Engineering, or related discipline) or comparable qualification.
- At least 5 years of experience in program management, project leadership or comparable automotive / technology program roles, including cross-functional coordination of complex scopes.
- 3+ years of experience in teamcenter activites and understanding of full teamcenter toolchain.
- Hands-on experience in Sample Management, Engineering Hardware, benches or industrialization support is required or strongly preferred for this JDM scope and must be demonstrated through prior program delivery experience.
- Structured, reliable, and detail-oriented working style with strong coordination skills.
- Good communication skills and the ability to work effectively in cross-functional and international teams.
- Fluent in German and English (written and spoken), Romanian is a plus
Bonus Points if You Have
- Basic knowledge of PMI methodologies, Automotive SPICE, or IATF 16949 .
- Experience with VW Group programs or customers .
- Familiarity with program management tools and reporting systems.
- Understanding of HARMAN Core Competencies (Results, Change, Customer, Team, Self-Awareness).
What Makes You Eligible
- Willingness to travel up to 25%.
- Willingness to work on-site in Karlsbad, Germany, as required
What We Offer
- HARMAN offers a diverse and inclusive work environment that fosters and encourages career development opportunities, professional training and competitive market base compensation
- You will also receive top-notch employee discounts on Harman’s Consumer Audio (JBL, AKG, HARMAN Kardon) and Samsung products
- Flexible work schedule with a culture encouraging work life integration and collaboration in a global friendly working atmosphere and good work-life-balance
- Attractive salary package based on the Metall & Elektro Tarif Baden Wurttemberg and an Employer contribution towards a company pension plan
- Professional development opportunities through HARMAN University’s business and leadership academies which also includes extensive technical trainings
- Internal talent management leadership acceleration programs
- “Be Brilliant” employee recognition and rewards program
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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! (https://harmanglobal.avature.net/talentcommunity)
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