Sr. RF Hardware Systems Engineer
Samsara · San Francisco - SF9
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- San Francisco - SF9
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Subject: Interested in the Sr. RF Hardware Systems Engineer role at Samsara
Hi Riley — I came across the Sr. RF Hardware Systems Engineer opening and wanted to reach out directly. I've spent the last few years doing exactly this kind of work, and Samsara stood out because…
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About the role
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.
About the role
We’re looking for a Senior Hardware Engineer, RF Systems to own critical RF subsystems and help define platform‑level RF architectures that power Samsara’s connected hardware portfolio. You’ll combine deep RF expertise with strong product instincts, partnering with cross‑functional teams to ship robust, high‑volume hardware.
Our hardware team owns end‑to‑end product development for Samsara’s AI & Connected devices, from architecture and component selection through validation and ramp to mass production. Within this team, you will lead RF and wireless architectures and reusable reference designs across multiple product lines, including chipset and antenna selection for cellular LTE/5G, Wi‑Fi, Bluetooth, GNSS, UWB, satellite, NFC, and more.
This role may be within Samsara’s Hardware Engineering job family based on experience and impact.
In this role, you will
- Create RF subsystem architectures and design, develop, and test RF circuits, modules, and antennas through all phases of the development process.
- Review board‑level schematics and PCB layouts of RF circuits and system‑level integration, including link budget and simulation‑based analysis.
- Bring up RF subsystems and enable product teams to develop next‑generation products and new product proofs of concept.
- Characterize and validate board‑level and system‑level RF performance, margins, and sensitivities in the lab.
- Perform root‑cause analysis for field failures and drive design changes and corrective actions.
- Stay abreast of the latest wireless technologies from leading semiconductor vendors and evaluate cutting‑edge solutions across 4G/5G, Wi‑Fi, Bluetooth, GNSS, UWB, mmWave, satellite, and related domains.
- Integrate evaluation kits (EVKs) to showcase new technology concepts and demos that inform Samsara’s product roadmap.
- Actively participate in sampling customer experience and improving RF‑related product performance.
- Work closely with product teams and JDM partners to design, validate, certify, and manufacture high‑quality products at scale.
- Champion, role model, and up-level the cross‑functional team to exhibit Samsara’s values and leadership principles (Focus on Customer Success, Build for the Long Term, Growth Mindset, Win as a Team).
- Mentor other engineers in RF best practices, design reviews, and lab methodology.
Minimum requirements for the role
- 5+ years of professional industry experience in RF circuit and module development.
- Proficiency in board‑level schematic design and PCB layout of RF circuits and familiarity with RF layout guidelines.
- Hands‑on experience with 4G/5G, Wi‑Fi, Bluetooth, GNSS, UWB, or satellite communications in shipping products.
- Experience working with RF chipset/module vendors, test instrument suppliers, and JDM/ODM partners, and shipping high‑quality hardware at volume.
- Proficiency with RF simulation tools such as CST, ADS, and with EDA tools such as Altium or Cadence.
- Experience using RF lab instruments such as network analyzers, spectrum analyzers, signal generators, and oscilloscopes.
- Ability to work through ambiguous product requirements and complex design trade‑offs.
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in RF Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain RF trade‑offs to non‑RF stakeholders.
- This role is based in the San Francisco Bay Area.
An ideal candidate also has
- Experience with antenna simulation and design.
- Knowledge of EMI/EMC design and mitigation techniques.
- Thrives in an environment that requires rapid deployment and iteration based on customer feedback.
- Practical, hands‑on experience with Wi‑Fi, BLE, LTE, 5G, satellite, UWB, GNSS, and related wireless standards.
- Experience setting up and scaling RF labs for hardware development, characterization, validation, and failure analysis.
- A forward‑looking mindset to build processes, identify opportunities, and serve as a go‑to person for RF‑related technical issues.
- Experience with system engineering best practices and product compliance and certification including FCC, PTCRB, CTIA, ETSI, TIA/EIA, and similar regulations.
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.
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 accessibleinterviewing@samsara.com or click here if you require any reasonable accommodations throughout the recruiting process.
Our Commitment to Authenticity
We use Tofu, a fraud detection tool, to validate the authenticity of applications and protect against identity fraud. This ensures we are connecting with real people and allows us to prioritize genuine candidates. Please see Samsara’s Candidate Privacy Notice for more information.
Fraudulent Employment Offers
Samsara is aware of scams involving fake job interviews and offers. Please know we do not charge fees to applicants at any stage of the hiring process. Official communication about your application will only come from emails ending in @samsara.com, @us-greenhouse-mail.io or @mail3.guide.co. For more information regarding fraudulent employment offers, please visit our blog post here.
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