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Jim Harkins is director of the Electrified Systems Engineering Division at DENSO International America, Inc. (DIAM) located in Southfield, Michigan. He is responsible for DENSO’s Electric Hybrid Vehicle (EHV) components and Engine Electrical components and systems development in North America.
Harkins joined DENSO in 1996 as an application engineer, responsible for the development of starters and alternators for the Chrysler Group. In 1999, Harkins was promoted to senior engineer, where he introduced General Motors Co. and Chrysler Group LLC to DENSO’s segment conductor alternator series. Harkins was appointed to the position of staff engineer in 2001 and later advanced to manager of the Engine Electrical Engineering Department in 2004. In 2008, Harkins was promoted to senior manager of Engine Electrical Engineering Department, where he worked with North American automakers advanced idle stop start systems and eventually on EHV components.
In 2012, Harkins established DENSO’s EHV Department at DIAM to advance development for North American customers and facilitate localization. In collaboration with laboratories in Japan and Germany, Harkins established DENSO’s high voltage laboratory at DIAM, dedicated to power electronic, electric motor and electrified system development.
Prior to joining DENSO, Harkins worked on wire harnesses for Ford Motor Co., as an intern with Alcoa Fujikura in Allen Park, Michigan.
Harkins received his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Michigan-Dearborn in Dearborn, Michigan. He also holds several certificates for Japanese studies through the University of Detroit-Mercy in Detroit, Michigan. Currently, Harkins has been awarded several patents with other applications pending.
He is a member of the Society of Automotive Engineers, Engineering Society of Detroit and the University of Michigan Alumni Affiliate.