Senior Automotive Systems Firmware Engineer

About the role:

The HW Solutions FW team at Samsara is a newly established group focused on prototyping new products and technologies that seamlessly integrate with modern vehicles. We aim to enhance vehicle diagnostics, safety, and connectivity by leveraging cutting-edge technologies. We are seeking candidates with broad system and firmware product-level hands-on development experience in vehicle diagnostics, OBD, CAN, ECUs, and ADAS, focused on embedded systems.

As part of this tight-knit group within the Samsara HW organization, you will collaborate closely with product and software teams. You will be at the forefront of technology, engaging in deep evaluations and providing fast feedback to help hardware, product, and software teams make informed choices for next-generation technologies and products, as well as improvements to existing products.

You’ll thrive here if you enjoy working in an environment with multiple, often ambiguous, projects running simultaneously. Taking full ownership of your projects and being ready to support your teammates is crucial. This role is ideal for those who value close collaboration with teammates, have a strong focus on customers, and are motivated by the direct impact of their work on meeting customer needs.

This is a remote position open to candidates residing in the US except the San Francisco Bay Area and NYC Metro Area.

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 vehicle diagnostics, OBD-II, CAN bus systems, and ECUs, focused on embedded systems (both Linux and RTOS-based).
• Work with external technology and SoC vendors to evaluate technologies, influence their roadmaps, and ensure alignment with Samsara's product vision.
• Collaborate with product teams to understand their needs and align technology exploration with product requirements.
• Develop solutions that integrate seamlessly with modern vehicle systems, enhancing diagnostic capabilities and safety features.
• Communicate, collaborate, and develop with firmware/software engineers, product managers, hardware engineers, and support teams.
• Integrate security considerations into all stages of product development, ensuring robust and secure solutions.
• Understand and apply regulatory compliance requirements relevant to automotive 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:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• 8+ years of professional experience working with firmware/software teams to develop solutions involving vehicle diagnostics, OBD-II, CAN bus systems, and ECUs on embedded systems.
• Broad hands-on development and test experience in the above technologies.
• Working experience with embedded Linux systems and RTOS systems relevant to vehicle technologies.
• Comfortable working with low-level C/C++, Linux kernel development, debugging and diagnostic tools, and development workflows using CI/CD tools.
• Experience with hardware-firmware integration and familiarity with automotive communication protocols (e.g., CAN, LIN, FlexRay).
• Knowledge of vehicle diagnostic protocols such as UDS (Unified Diagnostic Services) and J1939.
• Understanding of automotive cybersecurity practices, including secure boot and secure communications.
• Strong communication skills and ability to work cross-functionally.

An ideal candidate also has:

• Experience with V2X communication technologies, sensor integration, perception systems, and ADAS.
• Has worked on products from inception to productization involving vehicle diagnostics and safety systems.
• In-depth hands-on experience with developer boards, prototyping features, running experiments, and evaluating KPIs.
• Familiarity with automotive industry standards and regulations, such as ISO 26262 (functional safety) and ISO/SAE 21434 (vehicle cybersecurity).
• A self-starter attitude with the ability to work in a fast-paced environment and drive technology and product exploration.
• Proficiency with automotive-grade SoCs, MCUs, and experience working with external vendors and SoC vendors.
• Experience with cloud connectivity and IoT platforms, especially as they relate to vehicle data.