Principal Architect - Automotive Data Architecture

About the role

As an Embedded Automotive Data Architect, you will design and lead the in-vehicle data collection architecture that enables continuous improvement and personalization of in-vehicle audio experiences, while ensuring a secure, privacy-preserving approach. You will partner closely with ML Engineers, Data Engineers, and Intelligent Cockpit engineers to define and roll out an end-to-end architecture that supports OTA delivery of edge AI/ML model updates, fully aligned with OEM specifications, constraints, and requirements. You will bridge collaboration with Intelligent Cockpit and Central Compute (HU/CCU) development teams to expand logging, telemetry, and communication mechanisms to capture and export audio system related interactions events and user preference data to enable continuous improvement of machine learning models and next-generation audio features.

Responsibilities

• Partner with Intelligent Cockpit and Central Compute (HU/CCU), Data Engineer and ML to design and roll out architecture for data collection and models updates.
• Identify HMI/UX interaction and communication messages in HU/CCU/Amplifier to reliably capture how users interact with audio features.
• Identify logging mechanisms and storage allocation on HU/CCU/Amplifier to store relevant audio system related interactions and user preferences.
• Define retention, compression, and resource budgeting (CPU/RAM/flash) for new messages and signals about audio features usage and user preferences
• Identify and establish secure OTA workflows to update ML models considering versioning, integrity checks, rollout and rollback strategies, and compatibility rules.
• Advise in-vehicle OS integration approach across HU/CCU platforms (Linux, Android Automotive, QNX, and other OEM stacks) about logging frameworks, networking messaging and UDS.
• Select and advise on vehicle networking messages (CAN / Automotive Ethernet, etc.) to safely consume necessary signals and create correlation with Audio systems events.
• Advise on privacy mechanisms including data minimization, anonymization, retention and deletion rules for data collection
• Advise on consent-aware data collection, retention and deletion strategies according to privacy standards and OEM practices.
• Partner with Data/ML/DSP teams to ensure the vehicle-side data architecture cleanly connects to cloud pipelines for training, evaluation, and continuous improvement of edge experiences.
• What You Need to Be Successful
• 12+ years of experience in automotive embedded software or systems engineering, with architecture ownership in at least one of: Head Unit/Infotainment, Cockpit/Domain Controller, Telematics/Connectivity, or Vehicle Data/Diagnostics.
• Experience designing telemetry/logging systems under constrained compute/memory/storage, including reliability strategies (buffering, persistence, loss management).
• Experience with OTA update architectures (software/component delivery), including artifact versioning, signing/integrity, staged rollout, rollback, and compatibility management.
• Working knowledge of HU/CCU operating systems (Linux, Android Automotive, QNX, or similar), including debugging/log analysis, process/service design, and performance constraints.
• Solid knowledge of automotive networking and integration constraints: CAN, Automotive Ethernet, UDS and ODB-II and ability to collaborate with cybersecurit

Additional Information

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

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