HARMAN officially appointed Dr. Thomas Irawan as Chief Operating Officer today. The executive officially assumes his operational duties starting October 1, 2026. Furthermore, HARMAN designated Dr. Irawan as President Designate for its automotive division.
This appointment strengthens corporate execution across connected mobility markets worldwide. Christian Sobottka continues serving as Chief Executive Officer of HARMAN and President of the division. Meanwhile, Dr. Irawan will manage daily execution and overall division performance.
The global auto industry is moving quickly towards software-defined vehicle architecture. As such, automobile manufacturers need to ensure there is smooth interaction between smart hardware and the cloud. HARMAN combines AI, connectivity, and cockpit solutions in one solution. In addition, Dr. Irawan is part of the senior management team.
“The next generation of automotive innovation will be defined by execution,” said Christian Sobottka, CEO of HARMAN and President, HARMAN Automotive. “Thomas brings the rare combination of strategic vision, operational excellence and deep software expertise needed to lead a business of HARMAN Automotive’s scale and ambition. Together, this leadership model strengthens our ability to execute at speed, grow with our customers and shape the next era of intelligent mobility.”
Before joining HARMAN, Dr. Irawan served as President and Chairman at ETAS. He managed advanced software development, middleware tools, and driver assistance systems. Moreover, his background spans global manufacturing, quality assurance, and operations at Bosch.
Driving Operational Excellence Across Global Mobility Sectors
Dr. Irawan will oversee key operational units starting this fall. Specifically, his portfolio includes Intelligent Cockpit, Car Audio, and Automotive Engineering Services. He will also manage Global Customer Groups and connected vehicle technologies.
Furthermore, HARMAN plans to complete its acquisition of the ZF ADAS business soon. Dr. Irawan will assume operational responsibility for that organization following closing. Ultimately, this strategic leadership transition positions HARMAN to scale software solutions effectively.
“HARMAN has a unique ability to translate rapidly evolving consumer expectations into automotive technologies with the quality, reliability and engineering excellence our customers expect,” said Dr. Irawan. “I’m excited to join the team as we expand our capabilities, deepen our customer partnerships and deliver experiences that are safer, more intuitive and more rewarding for drivers and passengers.”
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News Source: Businesswire.com
