3D Character & Motion Designer

HARMAN International•Novi, MI

27d•Onsite

About The Position

We are looking for a hands-on 3D Character & Motion Designer specializing in Unity to join our award-winning Automotive Design team in Novi. You will be responsible for crafting expressive, real-time digital characters and immersive interface environments that push the boundaries of in-vehicle experience. This role combines expertise in Unity, character rigging and animation, 3D background design, and scene optimization. You will collaborate closely with UX, UI, and engineering teams while also mentoring junior designers and guiding visual execution from concept to implementation.

Requirements

5+ years of experience designing in Unity with a strong focus on 3D character animation and motion design
Expertise in real-time rigging, shading, lighting, and animation workflows
Proficiency in 3D tools such as Blender, Cinema 4D, or Maya
Strong design sensibility: composition, emotion, and storytelling
Experience in scene optimization, asset management, and Unity performance profiling
Familiarity with Adobe Creative Cloud, After Effects, and advanced motion design techniques
Experience mentoring junior team members or leading visual execution within a design team
Fluent in English and comfortable presenting to stakeholders
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

Nice To Haves

Background in the gaming industry, especially NPC or character interaction design
Experience designing for automotive HMI, IVI, or other real-time digital cockpit systems
Familiarity with Unity's URP/HDRP, Shader Graph, or embedded systems workflows
Understanding of the automotive HMI pipeline from design concept to implementation
Exposure to prototyping, usability testing, or user research
Experience working with AR/VR or immersive interaction design environments

Responsibilities

Design, animate, and implement 3D characters in Unity, including rigging, lighting, shading, and optimization for real-time automotive performance
Create visually polished, branded 3D backgrounds and UI environments aligned with project and brand guidelines
Build real-time motion sequences and interactive prototypes using Unity's animation tools (Timeline, Animator, VFX Graph, etc.)
Ensure scene and asset optimization to meet the performance constraints of embedded hardware
Collaborate across disciplines to align character animation with broader UX and HMI narratives
Mentor junior designers and support cross-functional collaboration within the product development team
Lead or contribute to internal presentations, creative reviews, and design workshops
Support and improve internal design processes, pipelines, and documentation

Benefits

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

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