[Hiring] Program Manager Connectivity @HARMAN International

Role Description

As Program Manager Certification, you are responsible for planning, coordinating, and executing certification and regulatory activities for complex automotive customer programs within the CAM VW organization. You ensure that all products meet applicable regulatory, homologation, and OEM-specific requirements across hardware, software, and system scope. Working closely with internal stakeholders (SW, HW, components, manufacturing, quality) as well as external partners, authorities, and test houses, you protect certification milestones and program schedules while providing transparent status reporting to program leadership and management.

What You Will Do

• Own Teamcenter activities within an assigned project and ensure structured reporting and follow-up.
• Support the Lead / Senior Program Manager in the execution of customer programs within the VW Group portfolio.
• 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 and support management and customer decisions related to cost, scope, timing, and program trade-offs.
• Manage commercial risks and opportunities, including identification, tracking, and mitigation in alignment with Finance and PM.
• Act as OEM customer interface for technical status, program progress, and product alignment topics.
• Support RFI / RFQ phases, feasibility studies, and performance specification definition in close cooperation with Engineering and Sales.
• Take ownership of Sample and Prototype Planning, including coordination of PV/DV activities across functions and sites.
• 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).
• Support issue tracking, escalation preparation, and systematic follow-up of action items.
• Contribute to lessons learned and continuous improvement within the program and organization.

Qualifications

• University degree in Engineering (Electrical, IT, Mechanical, Industrial Engineering, or related discipline) or comparable qualification.
• 2-3 years of experience in program management, project coordination, or a comparable role in an automotive or technology environment.
• Hands-on experience in Sample Management, Engineering Hardware, benches, or industrialization support is highly preferred.
• Good understanding of automotive development and industrialization processes.
• 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 Romanian and English (written and spoken).

Bonus Points if You Have

• Basic knowledge of PMI methodologies, Automotive SPICE, or IATF 16949.
• Initial 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 Bucharest, Romania, as required.

Benefits

• 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 products (JBL, HARMAN Kardon, AKG, and more).
• Extensive training opportunities through our own HARMAN University.
• Competitive wellness benefits.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• “Be Brilliant” employee recognition and rewards program.
• An inclusive and diverse work environment that fosters and encourages professional and personal development.