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 Akarsh Makam, Product Test Engineer.

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

As a Product Test Engineer (mainly for ARCAM products), I design test cases and execute test strategies, analyze system behavior, verify user experience and collaborate with hardware and software teams to identify issues and improve product robustness before release.

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 graduated with a degree in Mechanical & Automotive Engineering but soon realized that Verification & Validation is just as important as development for any product. This realization led me toward the testing domain and a career path that I truly enjoy today.

How did your career path lead you to HARMAN? 

I began my career as a Test Engineer, where I quickly recognized that testing is a domain-agnostic skill. My previous experience with testing firmware for consumer products at Bosch, combined with my natural curiosity and tester mindset, helped open the opportunity for me to join HARMAN. 

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

The most valuable lesson in my career has been to give your best in the role you have today, while continuously preparing yourself for the role you aspire to tomorrow.

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

For anyone starting out in this industry, my advice would be to stay curious and ask questions.

What are you most proud of in your life?

I am proud that I have had the opportunity and been able to meet different people, live in different countries, learn different languages, try different food, and travel to different places gathering experiences and making memories. 

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? 

I have had a passion for music and audio from a young age. Growing up, I learnt to play Mrudanga (an Indian percussion instrument), which gave me an appreciation for rhythm and timing. Through this, I was also exposed to a variety of Indian music genres from classical Carnatic and Hindustani traditions to devotional and instrumental styles which deepened my appreciation for music.

As a child, I also remember how much of a fashion statement it was to own a wireless speaker. 

What current technology impresses you the most? 

Hands down, AI has been the most impressive technology to me. The ability to have such powerful tool at your fingertips that can access, process, and generate information from virtually any corner of the world is remarkable. What stands out even more is how AI is transforming the way we work, the way we live, makes it exciting, scary and inspiring all at once.

Favorite music genre?

Its difficult to choose a favorite genre. It really depends on what I’m doing. Traveling, cooking, relaxing all need different kind of music to suit the mood and style. As I began traveling more, I was exposed to music from different cultures, which helped me appreciate their unique styles, instruments, and creative approaches. That said, Indian instrumental music continues to be my all-time favorite.

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

Modifying the question to choose 3 artists/bands: 😉

• R Rahaman
• Shreya Ghoshal
• Imagine Dragons & Arctic Monkeys

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

Over time, I’ve come to realize that experiences matter more than anything else. While achievements and milestones are important, it’s the experiences we invest in that truly shape who we are. They challenge us, help us grow, and offer new perspectives that we carry forward in both our personal and professional lives.