HARMAN International Appoints Dr. Thomas Irawan as COO and President of HARMAN Automotive
Updated: September 3, 2026
STAMFORD, Conn. — HARMAN International, a subsidiary of Samsung Electronics, has announced that Dr. Thomas Irawan will join the company as Chief Operating Officer (COO) and President Designate of HARMAN Automotive starting October 1, 2026.
In this pivotal role, Dr. Irawan will oversee the day-to-day operations and performance of the HARMAN Automotive division and will become part of the Senior Leadership Team. Christian Sobottka, HARMAN CEO, will remain as President of HARMAN Automotive, focusing on long-term strategy and major transformation initiatives.
As the automotive industry trends towards AI-enabled technologies, Dr. Irawan’s expertise will enhance HARMAN’s ability to integrate cutting-edge solutions for automakers and consumers.
Christian Sobottka expressed confidence in Dr. Irawan’s ability to drive innovation, stating, “Thomas brings a rare combination of strategic vision and operational excellence.”
Dr. Irawan joins from ETAS, a leading provider of automotive software, where he served as President and Chairman. He has extensive leadership experience in software-defined vehicle technologies and global operations.
Once in his new role, Dr. Irawan will manage the operational cadence and performance of various sectors, including Intelligent Cockpit and Automotive Engineering Services.
About Dr. Thomas Irawan:
- Begins on October 1, 2026, as COO.
- Former President and Chairman of ETAS.
- Holds extensive experience in automotive technologies and operations.
- Will be part of the Senior Leadership Team.
About HARMAN:
HARMAN is known for enhancing experiences through automotive and lifestyle audio technology, with over 50 million vehicles relying on its solutions. As a subsidiary of Samsung, HARMAN employs around 27,000 people globally.
For further details, visit the full release here.
