Meet the Team

With Meet The HARMAN Luxury Team, our goal is for you to get to know us better. In each edition we feature a different member of the team, and this month it's Chris Alexander (Zander), Senior Software Engineer Manager.

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How would you describe what you do in your current role?

I work with internal and external software engineers and help define and shape software-related deliveries for the Luxury Audio team. I also work on continuous improvement (quality and ways of working).

What did you study in school? Did you always imagine yourself doing something like what you’re doing now or did the fates just take you in that direction?

I studied software engineering at University. I was always fascinated by technology and science. It was only during my A’levels that I really thought about computer science/programming - it seemed like solving mini-puzzles! However, I didn’t own a computer so I kind of went into University with limited exposure before actually studying it. I am glad I did because software powers so much of the modern world.

How did your career path lead you to HARMAN?

As a software engineer, I have always worked closely with hardware. My first role in audio was with Tymphany in Guangdong. As many will know, the audio space is full of crossed paths and so when I saw an opportunity to move back into this space, and work with people I knew, while joining such a prestigious brand, it made sense.

What is the most important thing you have learned over your career?

Assumptions get you so far but knowing your customer is vital to building something that will be loved (and used). I have had the opportunity to work across a diverse range of products and customer profiles. Working as part of the luxury team I am again listening and learning about a new set of customers.

Any other advice you would share with people just starting out in this industry?

Like most of the modern world – don’t compare yourself to everything you see on the Internet. You cannot master all forms of software at once. Find what area you like the most and focus on that. You can always move – just don’t try to do it all at once!

What are you most proud of in your life?

A few things stand out as high points but one I can easily point to was reorg’ing an engineering department and getting the first new product out of the team in five years – on time and feature complete. This was a great achievement because of the output but also because of the journey the team went on. It was highly collaborative and positive. A quite young team, I am sure the experience really helped the individuals grow and learn.

When did you realize you had a passion for music or audio? Was there any one band, song or movie that did it for you?

My passion for audio comes from what it can do beyond being a form of media. It invokes memories (good and sad), gets us moving, brings us together, helps us study and can be used for relaxation, mediation and even as a clinical form of therapy. It’s amazing what music/audio can do to/for us! Also (in a former role) I worked in hearing loss prevention – it makes you really think (and cherish) the ability to hear, listen and communicate.

What current technology impresses you the most? 

I am not sure “impresses” is the right word, but what intrigues me – hydrogen fuel and sodium batteries. Having recently worked in climate technology I see there is some exciting applications/gaps that can be filled in the renewable revolution. From an audio point of view – spatial audio is something I’d like to understand more about – both from a pure technology PoV as well as how we perceive it.

Favorite music genre?

Rock (but also anything, really.)

The desert island question, of course. If you were marooned for eternity & could listen to only 3 albums, what would they be?

Does the lofi girl youtube channel count?

The Color and the Shape – Foo fighters

Nevermind – Nirvana (reminds me at being around my friend playing GoldenEye on N64!)           

You have the floor. In closing, tell us anything else you want us to know about yourself.

I live in North London with my wife Shirley and our cat Mooncake. I enjoy most nerdy things – particularly I paint miniatures. I lived (and met my wife) in China – we are now experiencing the other half of the cultural mix by living here in Europe – we still have plenty of Europe (and China) respectively to visit however.