Value Manager at Harman in Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania

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

We are seeking a driven and collaborative leader to join our Value Management (VM) organization within the Intelligent Cockpit Strategic Business Unit (SBU). This is a high-impact role at the forefront of innovation, where you will shape cost competitiveness and platform strategy for next-generation IVI/CDC solutions.

You will lead the integration of value engineering principles into IVI hardware, mechanical and system architectures, RFX processes, and product development, enabling scalable, cost-optimized platform solutions aligned with customer expectations. Working closely with cross-functional teams, you will define optimized hardware and mechanical platforms, drive reuse strategies, and elevate ideation outcomes to deliver sustainable improvements in cost, quality, and time to market.

Operating at a strategic level, this role offers a unique opportunity to influence product direction, strengthen competitive positioning, and translate value engineering insights into tangible business impact.

Your Team

Operates within a cross-functional organizational model with no direct reports. Success in the role relies on strong collaboration and influence across diverse teams and disciplines.

What You Will Do

• Lead the definition and execution of IVI/CDC platform value strategies, ensuring alignment with customer requirements and cost optimization goals
• Champion defining hardware & mechanical platforms in collaboration with system architects and engineering teams, focusing on cost-efficient HW block solutions and their roadmaps
• Establish and scale HW reuse methodologies by partnering with SMEs, product teams, and system architects to maximize cross-platform adoption
• Continuously refine and optimize existing HW blocks working with hardware and mechanical engineering teams to achieve sustained cost improvements across product lifecycles
• Guide and govern VM ideation strategy during RFQ/RFX phases to ensure competitive BOM cost positioning and strong value propositions
• Lead cross-functional VAVE workshops at a strategic level, ensuring high-quality ideation and actionable outcomes for both RFQs and awarded programs
• Monitor and drive ideation performance metrics across programs, ensuring pipeline health, implementation rate, and business impact
• Act as a key interface between engineering, product management, procurement, and program teams to embed value engineering into decision-making processes

What You Need

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field with technical background; an advanced degree is a plus.
• Minimum of 8 years of experience in Value Management or related disciplines such as VAVE, cost engineering (electronic/mechanical systems), or automotive component engineering within the automotive or technology sectors.
• Solid understanding of automotive electronics technologies and the end-to-end value chain.
• Proven ability to lead technical presentations and facilitate workshops with both internal teams and external partners.
• Strong analytical skills with proficiency in data analysis, KPI tracking, and relevant software tools.
• Excellent project management and organizational capabilities, with a track record of managing multiple priorities effectively.
• Fluent in English with strong communication skills and the ability to influence and engage stakeholders at all levels.

What is Nice to Have

• Experience with Automotive Infotainment/Intelligent-Cockpit products and projects.
• Automotive Tier1 RFQ experience
• knowledge on HW, ME, Systems

What We Offer

• 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
• “Be Brilliant” employee recognition and rewards program
• An inclusive and diverse work environment that fosters and encourages professional and personal development

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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 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.