What are the responsibilities and job description for the Motion Designer, Automotive HMI (Unity) position at HARMAN International?
About The Role
We are looking for a hands-on Motion Designer with strong real-time implementation skills in Unity to join our award-winning Automotive Design team in Novi. You will craft premium motion systems, micro-interactions, and real-time UI transitions that elevate in-vehicle experiences across clusters, IVI, AR HUD, and next-generation cockpit concepts.
This role blends motion craft (timing, transitions, typography, composition) with real-time execution (Unity animation systems, optimization, embedded constraints). You will collaborate closely with UX, UI, Product, and Engineering teams, mentor junior designers, and help drive motion quality from concept through implementation.
Your Team
You’ll join HARMAN Automotive Design, a global, award-winning design studio bringing together UX/UI, Product, Industrial, Communication, and Motion Designers. Our team spans Germany, the US, China, Korea, and Japan, working across time zones and disciplines with a shared commitment to design excellence, emotional storytelling, and real-world impact.
What You Will Do
HARMAN is committed to making every employee feel welcomed, valued, and empowered. No matter what role you play, we encourage you to share your ideas, voice your distinct perspective, and bring your whole self with you – all within a support-minded culture that celebrates what makes each of us unique. We also recognize that learning is a lifelong pursuit and want you to flourish. We proudly offer added opportunities for training, development, and continuing education, further empowering you to live the career you want.
About HARMAN: Where Innovation Unleashes Next-Level Technology
Ever since the 1920s, we’ve been amplifying the sense of sound. Today, that legacy endures, with integrated technology platforms that make the world smarter, safer, and more connected.
Across automotive, lifestyle, and digital transformation solutions, we create innovative technologies that turn ordinary moments into extraordinary experiences. Our renowned automotive and lifestyle solutions can be found everywhere, from the music we play in our cars and homes to venues that feature today’s most sought-after performers, while our digital transformation solutions serve humanity by addressing the world’s ever-evolving needs and demands. Marketing our award-winning portfolio under 16 iconic brands, such as JBL, Mark Levinson, and Revel, we set ourselves apart by exceeding the highest engineering and design standards for our customers, our partners and each other.
If you’re ready to innovate and do work that makes a lasting impact, join our talent community today!
HARMAN is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or Protected Veterans status. HARMAN offers a great work environment, challenging career opportunities, professional training, and competitive compensation. (www.harman.com)
We are looking for a hands-on Motion Designer with strong real-time implementation skills in Unity to join our award-winning Automotive Design team in Novi. You will craft premium motion systems, micro-interactions, and real-time UI transitions that elevate in-vehicle experiences across clusters, IVI, AR HUD, and next-generation cockpit concepts.
This role blends motion craft (timing, transitions, typography, composition) with real-time execution (Unity animation systems, optimization, embedded constraints). You will collaborate closely with UX, UI, Product, and Engineering teams, mentor junior designers, and help drive motion quality from concept through implementation.
Your Team
You’ll join HARMAN Automotive Design, a global, award-winning design studio bringing together UX/UI, Product, Industrial, Communication, and Motion Designers. Our team spans Germany, the US, China, Korea, and Japan, working across time zones and disciplines with a shared commitment to design excellence, emotional storytelling, and real-world impact.
What You Will Do
- Design and produce high-quality motion for automotive HMI: transitions, micro-interactions, UI behaviors, and motion systems
- Build and implement real-time motion in Unity using Timeline, Animator, state machines, and VFX Graph (as needed)
- Translate UX flows and UI designs into clear, premium motion that supports usability, hierarchy, and brand expression
- Create motion prototypes to validate interaction concepts and collaborate on iteration with UX/UI and engineering
- Ensure animation and VFX performance within embedded hardware constraints through optimization and profiling
- Define reusable motion patterns, guidelines, and documentation to raise consistency across programs
- Mentor junior designers and contribute to reviews, workshops, and internal presentations
- Support and improve internal pipelines, handoff practices, and asset organization
- 5 years of experience in motion design, with proven work in digital products, real-time, or interactive systems
- Strong motion fundamentals: timing, transitions, composition, typography, and visual storytelling
- Practical Unity experience implementing animation and interaction behavior (not just rendering)
- Experience optimizing motion and effects for performance constraints (mobile, embedded, real-time)
- Proficiency with After Effects and a strong understanding of modern motion workflows
- Familiarity with 2D/3D pipelines and tools (e.g., Blender, Cinema 4D) for supporting assets when needed
- Comfortable collaborating cross-functionally and presenting work to stakeholders
- Experience mentoring or leading motion execution within a team
- Automotive HMI experience (cluster, IVI, AR HUD) or other safety-critical interfaces
- Experience with design systems and creating reusable motion frameworks and libraries
- Familiarity with Unity URP/HDRP, Shader Graph, and VFX Graph
- Exposure to prototyping methods, usability testing, or user research
- Experience working with real-time 3D scenes and integrating motion with 3D content
- Based in the United States and authorized to work without visa sponsorship
- Fluent in English and comfortable collaborating across cultures and disciplines
- Able to work on-site at our Novi, MI studio as needed
- Open to occasional travel for project reviews, HARMAN offices, or global design workshops
- Flexible Work Environment: Enjoy a flexible schedule with a culture that encourages work-life integration and global collaboration
- Exclusive Discounts: Access employee discounts on world-class Harman and Samsung products (JBL, Harman Kardon, AKG, and more)
- Professional Growth: Extensive training opportunities through HARMAN University’s academies for continuous learning and career development
- Recognition & Rewards: Participate in the “Be Brilliant” program to celebrate achievements and contributions
- Wellness Benefits: Competitive packages that promote well-being and work-life balance
- Inclusive Culture: Be part of a diverse workplace that fosters professional and personal growth in a supportive, collaborative environment
- On-Campus Facilities: Access to the HARMAN Campus Fitness Center and Cafeteria for a healthy, convenient work environment
- Tuition Reimbursement: Support for further education and skill development through our tuition reimbursement program
HARMAN is committed to making every employee feel welcomed, valued, and empowered. No matter what role you play, we encourage you to share your ideas, voice your distinct perspective, and bring your whole self with you – all within a support-minded culture that celebrates what makes each of us unique. We also recognize that learning is a lifelong pursuit and want you to flourish. We proudly offer added opportunities for training, development, and continuing education, further empowering you to live the career you want.
About HARMAN: Where Innovation Unleashes Next-Level Technology
Ever since the 1920s, we’ve been amplifying the sense of sound. Today, that legacy endures, with integrated technology platforms that make the world smarter, safer, and more connected.
Across automotive, lifestyle, and digital transformation solutions, we create innovative technologies that turn ordinary moments into extraordinary experiences. Our renowned automotive and lifestyle solutions can be found everywhere, from the music we play in our cars and homes to venues that feature today’s most sought-after performers, while our digital transformation solutions serve humanity by addressing the world’s ever-evolving needs and demands. Marketing our award-winning portfolio under 16 iconic brands, such as JBL, Mark Levinson, and Revel, we set ourselves apart by exceeding the highest engineering and design standards for our customers, our partners and each other.
If you’re ready to innovate and do work that makes a lasting impact, join our talent community today!
HARMAN is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or Protected Veterans status. HARMAN offers a great work environment, challenging career opportunities, professional training, and competitive compensation. (www.harman.com)