Director, Global Mechanical Engineering & Prototyping - JBL Professional Loudspeakers

Introduction: A Career at HARMAN Lifestyle 

We’re a global, multi-disciplinary team that’s putting the innovative power of technology to work and transforming tomorrow. As a member of HARMAN Lifestyle, you connect consumers with the power of superior sound.  

• Contribute your talents to the high-end, esteemed JBL brand 

• Unite your passion for audio innovation with high-tech product development 

• Creating cutting-edge technology that elevates listening experience 

What You’ll Be Part Of 

The Director of Mechanical Engineering & Prototyping is responsible for leading the mechanical engineering, enclosure design, structural systems, manufacturing solutions, and rapid prototyping functions across the JBL Professional loudspeaker portfolio.  

This role ensures products are developed with robust mechanical architectures, innovative engineering solutions, advanced prototyping capabilities, and optimized manufacturing approaches that deliver industry-leading performance, reliability, quality, manufacturability, sustainability, and customer satisfaction.  

The Director leads global Mechanical Engineering and Prototyping teams and partners closely with Product Management, Systems Engineering, Acoustics & Transducer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Firmware, Quality, Manufacturing Engineering, and Program Management throughout the product development lifecycle. 

How You’ll Make an Impact 

Leadership & Organizational Development 

• Lead global Mechanical Engineering and Prototyping teams across JBL Professional loudspeakers. 

• Build and develop a high-performing organization of engineering leaders and technical specialists. 

• Recruit, mentor, and retain top engineering talent. 

• Plan and execute resource loading and allocation to deliver the strategic roadmap. 

• Foster a culture of accountability, technical excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement. 

Product Development & Engineering Execution 

• Own mechanical design of loudspeaker enclosures, structural components, rigging interfaces, mounting hardware, transportation accessories and related mechanical systems. 

• Lead mechanical development activities from concept through production. 

• Drive design, analysis, simulation, prototyping, and engineering validation activities. 

• Ensure solutions meet performance, reliability, manufacturability, quality, sustainability, and cost objectives. 

• Provide technical leadership for complex product development and engineering reviews. 

• Ensure structural designs meet applicable safety, load, transportation, environmental and field-use requirements. 

• Lead the development and operation of world-class rapid prototyping capabilities to accelerate innovation and reduce technical risk. 

Technology & Platform Strategy  

• Support development of the Strategic Roadmap and innovation initiatives. 

• Lead advanced technology development and research programs. 

• Evaluate emerging materials, manufacturing processes, simulation methods, and design technologies. 

• Provide technical feasibility assessments and engineering effort estimates for future platforms and products. 

Cross-Functional Collaboration 

• Partner with Systems Engineering on system integration, and product-level design, while owning mechanical requirements, verification, and validation for mechanical systems and components. 

• Collaborate with Acoustics & Transducer Engineering to develop integrated loudspeaker systems. 

• Work closely with Quality, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, and Operations throughout the product lifecycle. 

What Makes You a Strong Fit 

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Structural Engineering, or related technical discipline. 

• 12+ years of product development engineering experience. 

• 5+ years of leadership experience managing engineering teams and technical leaders. 

• Strong technical background in mechanical design, materials, manufacturing processes, structural analysis, and product development. 

• Proven ability to lead global engineering organizations and influence cross-functional teams. 

Bonus Points if You Have 

• Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Management, or related discipline. 

• Experience designing and manufacturing professional loudspeaker systems. 

• Expertise with SolidWorks, PDM systems, FEA, COMSOL, MATLAB, Python, and related engineering tools. 

• Experience with suspension systems, rigging, life-safety requirements, and structural compliance. 

• Experience establishing rapid prototyping, model shop, and advanced manufacturing capabilities. 

• Passion for music, live sound, and engineering innovation. 

Leadership Competencies 

Strategic Thinking • Technical Leadership • Innovation Management • Executive Communication • Talent Development • Cross-Functional Influence • Customer Focus • Continuous Improvement • Lead Leaders 

Success Measures 

Product quality, reliability, and customer satisfaction • On-time delivery of mechanical designs and prototypes. 

Manufacturing readiness, cost, and design robustness • Execution of the strategic roadmap through effective resource planning • Strong cross-functional collaboration • Continuous improvement of engineering processes, tools, and prototyping capabilities. 

The Director serves as the engineering authority for mechanical design, enclosure technologies, structural systems, manufacturing solutions, and rapid prototyping, delivering the engineering solutions and component technologies that enable JBL Professional to create industry-leading products and platforms. 

Things To Know 

• Willingness to travel 5% -10% of the time (Mexico, China and other global locations) 

• Willingness to work in an office in Northridge, CA 

• Successfully completing a background investigation and drug screen as a condition of employment 

What You Can Expect  

• Access to employee discounts on HARMAN and Samsung products (including JBL, Harman / Kardon, AKG, and others)  

• Learning and development opportunities through our award-winning HARMAN University programs  

• Wellness benefits designed to support your overall well-being  

• Tuition reimbursement support  

• Access to the HARMAN campus fitness center and cafeteria, where available