Senior Automation Engineer (HIL)

Who we are

Samsara (NYSE: IOT) is the pioneer of the Connected Operations™ Cloud, which is a platform that enables organizations that depend on physical operations to harness Internet of Things (IoT) data to develop actionable insights and improve their operations. At Samsara, we are helping improve the safety, efficiency and sustainability of the physical operations that power our global economy. Representing more than 40% of global GDP, these industries are the infrastructure of our planet, including agriculture, construction, field services, transportation, and manufacturing - and we are excited to help digitally transform their operations at scale.

Working at Samsara means you'll help define the future of physical operations and be on a team that's shaping an exciting array of product solutions, including Video-Based Safety, Vehicle Telematics, Apps and Driver Workflows, and Equipment Monitoring. As part of a recently public company, you'll have the autonomy and support to make an impact as we build for the long term.

*This is a hybrid work role based in our San Francisco office with three days per week required in the office.

About the role:

Most "automation" roles are stuck in the browser. At Samsara, we operate where the code meets the cold, hard steel. We aren't just validating features; we are orchestrating high-performance Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) environments that keep the world's critical infrastructure moving.

Samsara's Automation Engineering team uses cutting-edge engineering processes and data analysis to drive product excellence, ensuring our customers realize the full potential of our platform. Beyond system validation, the team seeks to cultivate anautomation-first culture that produces best-in-class reliability, usability, and performance across all of our product development teams.

We're looking for a self-driven Senior Automation Engineer to join our fast-growing Smart Trailers and Connected Equipment team. You will be the architect responsible for the automated systems ensuring the integrity of our asset gateway and sensor product lines.

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-caliber team that will encourage you to do your best.

In this role, you will:

• Partner with firmware development and product teams to define automation goals, expand coverage, and ensure high-velocity, high-integrity firmware releases.
• Develop and execute comprehensive automated suites targeting RTOS-based embedded systems, including the programmatic validation of connectivity stacks (Cellular, GPS, BLE, WiFi, CAN).
• Scale automation infrastructure, CI/CD pipelines, and reporting tools to accelerate release cycles and maximize autonomous coverage.
• Perform in-depth root cause analysis on failures identified through automated frameworks and system stress testing.
• Support field validation through automated log analysis and issue triage to ensure firmware resilience in real-world industrial deployments.
• Champion and embed Samsara's cultural principles as we scale our automation capabilities globally.

Minimum requirements for the role:

• 5+ years of experience in embedded systems or firmware automation engineering.
• Hands-on expertise building and maintaining HIL environments and custom automated frameworks for physical devices.
• Solid experience automating RTOS-based embedded systems (Zephyr, FreeRTOS, or similar).
• High proficiency in Python for sophisticated framework architecture and test development.
• Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines (Buildkite, Jenkins), version control (Git), and scalable automation architectures.
• Proven ability to perform low-level troubleshooting and root cause analysis on complex embedded hardware.

An ideal candidate also has:

• A Product & Owner Mindset: You are obsessed with the "why." You possess deep customer empathy, take full accountability for end-to-end outcomes, and proactively adapt based on feedback to ensure long-term success.
• Experience with Agentic workflows to enable rapid automation prototyping and autonomous development.
• Strong knowledge of Cellular, GPS, BLE, WiFi, and CAN technologies and their associated automation and debug practices.
• Experience with Unix/Linux system network automation and reliability engineering.
• Experience with hardware debugging tools (logic analyzers, oscilloscopes, J-Link) to assist in automation development.
• Bachelor's degree or higher in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical field.
• A track record of thriving in high-growth, fast-paced technology organizations.

The range of annual base salary for full-time employees for this position is below. Please note that base pay offered may vary depending on factors including your city of residence, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. This role is also eligible for an initial RSU grant with no vesting cliff, and ongoing refresh opportunities tied to performance, subject to plan terms and conditions. Learn more about our total rewards and benefits below.

Annual Base Salary

$187,000-$260,000 USD

Total Rewards

At Samsara, we build for the people who keep the global economy moving. We want owners, not passengers, which is why our rewards are designed to fuel high-impact builders. Our compensation program delivers above-market total compensation through a combination of base salary, performance-based bonus/variable pay, and equity (for eligible roles) in a high-growth public company. We meaningfully differentiate pay for our top performers, who have the opportunity to earn above-market compensation that can outpace the broader market over time.

Beyond compensation, we provide the foundations that enable long-term success: a flexible, employee-led remote model, a professional development stipend, comprehensive health and parental leave plans, and more. If you're ready to build for the long term and own the outcome, your journey starts here.

Flexible Working

At Samsara, we embrace a flexible working model that caters to the diverse needs of our teams. Our offices are open for those who prefer to work in-person and we also support remote work where it aligns with our operational requirements. For certain positions, being close to one of our offices or within a specific geographic area is important to facilitate collaboration, access to resources, or alignment with our service regions. In these cases, the job description will clearly indicate any working location requirements. Our goal is to ensure that all members of our team can contribute effectively, whether they are working on-site, in a hybrid model, or fully remotely. All offers of employment are contingent upon an individual's ability to secure and maintain the legal right to work at the company and in the specified work location, if applicable.

Belonging at Samsara

At Samsara, we welcome everyone regardless of their background. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability, age, and other characteristics protected by law. We depend on the unique approaches of our team members to help us solve complex problems and want to ensure that Samsara is a place where people from all backgrounds can make an impact.

Accommodations

Samsara is an inclusive work environment, and we are committed to ensuring equal opportunity in employment for qualified persons with disabilities. Please email View email address on click.appcast.io or click here if you require any reasonable accommodations throughout the recruiting process.

Our Commitment to Authenticity

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Fraudulent Employment Offers

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