Hardware Solutions Firmware Engineer

About the role:

At Samsara, we're building the future of industrial IoT, and our Hardware Solutions Firmware (HW Solutions FW) team is at the heart of it all. This isn't just another firmware job; it's a chance to be on the ground floor of innovation. As a key member of our newly formed team, you'll be instrumental in prototyping groundbreaking new products and technologies, influencing the direction of core hardware components (like SoCs!) long before products even hit the drawing board.

Imagine having the power to shape Samsara's future product roadmap. You'll be working hands-on with bleeding-edge technologies in Cellular & Wireless Connectivity, Location Technologies, and IoT, all within the exciting realm of embedded systems. You'll dive deep into evaluating these technologies, working closely with external vendors and SoC manufacturers, and directly influencing their roadmaps to align with Samsara's vision.

This role offers unparalleled visibility and impact. You'll collaborate directly with product managers, software engineers, and hardware designers, providing critical feedback that drives decisions for our next-generation products and enhances existing ones. If you're a self-starter who thrives on solving ambiguous challenges, taking ownership of your projects, and directly contributing to customer success, you'll find your perfect fit here.

This is a hybrid position, offering the best of both worlds with 3 days per week in our vibrant San Francisco, CA office and 2 days working remotely.

You should apply if:

• You want to impact the industries that run our world: Your efforts will result in real-world impact – helping to keep the lights on, get food into grocery stores, reduce emissions, and most importantly, ensure workers return home safely.
• You are the architect of your own career: If you put in the work, this role won’t be your last at Samsara. We set up our employees for success and have built a culture that encourages rapid career development, countless opportunities to experiment and master your craft in a hyper growth environment.
• You’re energized by our opportunity: The vision we have to digitize large sectors of the global economy requires your full focus and best efforts to bring forth creative, ambitious ideas for our customers.
• You want to be with the best: At Samsara, we win together, celebrate together and support each other. You will be surrounded by a high-calibre team that will encourage you to do your best.

In this role, you will:

• Evaluate and prototype new technologies in Cellular Connectivity, Wireless Connectivity, and Location Technologies, focusing on both Linux and RTOS-based embedded systems.
• Work directly with external technology and SoC vendors to evaluate their offerings, influence their roadmaps, and ensure alignment with Samsara's product vision.
• Collaborate closely with product teams to understand their needs and align technology exploration with future product requirements.
• Bridge the gap between new technologies and potential Samsara products by working hand-in-hand with hardware and software teams.
• Engage in dynamic communication and collaboration with firmware/software engineers, product managers, hardware engineers, and support teams.
• Integrate robust security considerations into every stage of product development.
• Navigate and apply regulatory compliance requirements for wireless and IoT devices.
• Champion, role model, and embed Samsara’s cultural principles (Focus on Customer Success, Build for the Long Term, Adopt a Growth Mindset, Be Inclusive, Win as a Team) as we scale globally and across new offices

Minimum requirements for the role:

• A Master's Degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• Hands-on development and testing experience with embedded technologies.
• Practical experience with both embedded Linux systems and RTOS systems.
• Comfort working with low-level C, performing Linux kernel development, and utilizing debugging and diagnostic tools within modern CI/CD workflows.
• Experience with hardware-firmware integration and familiarity with common hardware communication protocols (e.g., SPI, I²C, UART, SDIO).
• Strong communication skills and a knack for cross-functional collaboration.

An ideal candidate also has:

• Experience taking products from inception through to productization.
• In-depth hands-on experience with developer boards, prototyping features, running experiments, and evaluating key performance indicators (KPIs).
• A true self-starter attitude with the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment and drive technology and product exploration independently.
• Proficiency with Linux development tools, embedded Linux systems, SoCs, MCUs, and experience working with external vendors.
• Experience with cloud connectivity and IoT platforms.

#LI-Hybrid