Principal Engineer, Lighting at Harman · Suzhou

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.

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

We are seeking an experienced Light Guide Design Engineer to lead the design and development of light guide components and illumination systems for advanced product applications. The ideal candidate will have 10+ years of hands-on experience in light guide design, LED selection, optical simulation, and illumination performance evaluation. This role requires strong technical expertise in creating robust, cost-effective, and manufacturable lighting solutions that meet both functional and aesthetic requirements.

What You Will Do

• Lead the design and development of light guide systems for product applications from concept to mass production.
• Define optical architecture, material selection, and structural design of light guide components to achieve target illumination performance.
• Perform LED selection based on optical output, color consistency, thermal performance, power consumption, reliability, and cost.
• Conduct optical simulation and analysis to optimize light distribution, uniformity, efficiency, and hotspot control.
• Evaluate and improve product performance through illumination inspection, optical testing, and design verification.
• Work closely with cross-functional teams including mechanical, electrical, industrial design, manufacturing, and suppliers to ensure design feasibility and product integration.
• Support prototype build, testing, debugging, and design refinement.
• Analyze root causes of lighting performance issues and drive corrective actions.
• Ensure designs meet customer specifications, regulatory requirements, and manufacturing capability.
• Support supplier technical reviews and tooling/manufacturing readiness for light guide related components.
• Document design guidelines, simulation reports, test results, DFMEA inputs, and technical recommendations.

What You Need to Be Successful

• Bachelor’s degree or above in Optical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Electronics, or a related field.

• 10+ years of experience in light guide design and illumination product development.

• Strong experience in:

  • Light guide design and optimization
  • LED selection and optical component matching
  • Optical simulation tools
  • Illumination inspection and performance evaluation

• Solid understanding of:

  • Light propagation, reflection, refraction, diffusion, and extraction principles
  • Optical materials and surface treatment for light guide applications
  • Illumination uniformity, luminance, chromaticity, and optical efficiency

• Experience with optical simulation software such as LucidShape, LightTools, SPEOS, Zemax, or similar tools.

• Familiarity with illumination measurement equipment and validation methods.

• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to balance performance, cost, and manufacturability.

• Good communication skills and ability to work in a cross-functional global team environment, fluent in English.

Bonus Points if You Have

• Experience in automotive ambient lighting, backlighting, decorative lighting, or related illumination products.
• Familiarity with DFM/DFA, injection molding limitations, and tolerance impact on optical performance.
• Experience in working with suppliers on optical part development, tooling, and quality improvement.
• Knowledge of relevant industry standards and validation requirements for lighting products.
• Experience with CAD tools such as CATIA, Creo, SolidWorks, or similar.
• Understanding of thermal, mechanical, and electrical interface considerations for illumination systems.

What Makes You Eligible

• Willingness to travel 10%- 20% of the time.
• Willing to work in an office in Suzhou location.

What We Offer

• Flexible work environment
• Access to employee discounts on world-class Harman (JBL, HARMAN Kardon, AKG, etc.)
• Extensive training opportunities through our own HARMAN University
• Competitive wellness benefits
• Access to HARMAN Campus Fitness Center and Cafeteria
• “Be Brilliant” employee recognition and rewards program
• An inclusive and diverse work environment that fosters and encourages professional and personal development

HARMAN is proud to be an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer. 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.