Principal Engineer, System Validation Concept (ADAS) (m/f/d)

HARMAN’s engineers and designers are creative, purposeful and agile. As part of this team, you’ll combine your technical expertise with innovative ideas to help drive cutting-edge solutions in the car, enterprise and connected ecosystem. Every day, you will push the boundaries of creative design, and HARMAN is committed to providing you with the opportunities, innovative technologies and resources to build a successful career.

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 everyday.

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

You are a passionate System Validation professional, who is enthusiastic about Automotive Electronics and wants to define future ADAS/AD systems and in-cabin user experience.

As Principal Engineer, System Validation Concept within the ADAS LAB, you are an expert on the ADAS/AD system validation and have a proficient high-level understanding of all relevant neighboring domains. In our ADAS Lab, you will develop concepts to integrate, verify and validate systems, derive system tests, and execute impact & system analyses. With your peers within the Design, Architecture & Validation Concepts team, you will design scalable, market- and segment-specific ADAS integration concepts for Central Compute Units comprising the full spectrum from system definition to manufacturing impact. This role combines deep technical understanding with strong operational ownership. You will lead the development and upkeep of the validation ecosystem - not just validating what works, but by building and maintaining the systems, processes, and vehicles that make validation possible.

What You Will Do

• Develop strategies and concepts to integrate, verify and validate selected ADAS/AD systems as per industry standards and best practices, derive system tests, execute impact analyses, and jointly execute system level analyses with relevant SMEs hazard analysis, risk assessment, system performance, bus load estimations, etc.).
• Ensure definition and decision of necessary ecosystems to enable the execution of system integration, verification, and validation activities up to a prototypical level (Hardware-in-the-Loop, simulation environments, vehicle level integration & testing, data logging, test tracks, reference measurement systems, etc.).
• Collaborate with SMEs, customers, partners, and suppliers to design ADAS/AD systems for Cockpit Domain Controller with ADAS capabilities up to central compute units.
• Derive and maintain structured test cases from system requirements, covering functional, performance, SOTIF, and safety aspects for HiL and vehicle-level testing, while identifying opportunities for automation via AI related workflows.
• Manage multi stream logistical and technical alignments with internal teams and suppliers, including test track provisioning, data logging equipment, and coordination with certification agencies to ensure readiness for system-level testing.
• Coordinate test vehicle authorization across geographies, ensuring compliance with local legal frameworks; maintain and update test vehicles as needed to support new features, resolve issues, and ensure up to date configuration and documentation.
• Support hands-on testing and provide technical guidance for integration and evaluation of ADAS features, including functional validation, performance benchmarking against industry standards, definition of key performance indicators (KPIs), vehicle-level log analysis, gateway programming, and integration ADAS-related components into development vehicles.

What You Need to Be Successful

• Master’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or comparable experience.
• 5+ years hands-on experience in system integration, verification, and validation of real-time and safety critical ADAS/AD systems (Highway Assist, Traffic Jam Pilot/Highway Pilot, Automated Parking Assist, etc.) in OEM programs as well as experience with ADAS V&V Strategies.
• Core expertise in system level testing including related ecosystems, processes, methods, and tools (CANoe, CANape, Matlab/Simulink, Python etc.).
• Good understanding of Functional Safety (ISO26262), Safety of the intended Functionality (ISO21448) and Cybersecurity (ISO21434).
• Good understanding of requirement and test management tools, such as provided by IBM Jazz platform.
• Good understanding of in-vehicle communication protocols such as CAN, Flexray, Automotive Ethernet, GMSL.
• Strong understanding of vehicle systems and their interactions (ADAS, cockpit, powertrain, chassis, electronics, etc.)
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, fostering teamwork across functions and global teams while conveying complex technical topics with clarity.
• Driven, Self-motivated, and eager to learn, with the ability to adjust to evolving challenges.
• Strong sense of ownership with an analytical, results-driven, and goal-oriented mindset.

Bonus Points if You Have

• Technical leadership skills and the ability to motivate and inspire people.
• ISTQB Certified Tester - Foundation Level or comparable certification.
• Advanced understanding of ADAS/AD sensors & actuators.
• Advanced understanding of technology and trends (e.g., scenario-based testing) inside the system validation domain.
• A valid class B driving license, high-dynamic driving certification as well as ADAS failure injection certification or equivalent certifications to support ADAS vehicle testing activities.

What Makes You Eligible

• Willingness to travel up to 20%, domestic and international travel.
• Willingness to work in a diverse, international, and continuously improving environment.
• Be willing to work in the office at Garching.

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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HARMAN is proud to be an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard torace, 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.