Manager, Firmware Engineering

Samsara; Oakland (CA); Remote; USD 155,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Samsara seeks an Engineering Manager to lead a small team of firmware and ML engineers, delivering edge AI features across our fleet and industrial devices. You’ll drive architecture and deployment from model to firmware, ensuring low latency and high reliability in real-world environments.

You’ll mentor engineers, shape the edge ML strategy, partner with Product and Hardware, and scale programs with an emphasis on safety, performance, and customer impact for a remote-first US team.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of hands-on technical management experience.
• 8+ years of embedded systems and edge ML development.
• Proven track record shipping mass production products.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Experience deploying CV/ML models on edge devices.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of firmware and ML engineers (~5).
• Provide hands-on technical leadership across design and implementation.
• Set architecture for edge ML and embedded systems.
• Turn AI capabilities into shipped products on devices.
• Shape roadmap with leadership and stakeholders.
• Scale culture and focus on customer impact.

Skills

Embedded systems

Edge ML deployment

Team management

Cross-functional collaboration

C/C++ proficiency

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS, Electrical Engineering, or related field

Tools

GStreamer

Google MediaPipe

Job description

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:

Samsara's AI has helped prevent accidents that would have harmed an estimated 380,000 people per year. Every model we ship runs in the real world, on real roads, protecting real drivers.

Every Samsara dash cam, gateway, and industrial sensor runs AI at the edge. These models detect distracted driving, prevent collisions, and keep workers safe, all in real time on constrained hardware. As Engineering Manager, you'll own how AI moves from a trained model to firmware running reliably on devices in the field across Samsara's customer fleet.

You will drive Samsara’s edge AI strategy while mentoring engineers and delivering high-impact solutions. You will oversee the deployment of next-generation intelligent safety features and video processing by integrating high-performance camera systems and real-time edge computing into Samsara’s fleet and industrial products. In addition, you will establish the technical strategy, cross-functional relationships, and operational cadence required to launch low-latency, high-quality hardware programs at scale.

This is a remote position open to candidates residing in the US. Relocation assistance will not be provided for this role.

Scale: Millions of AI dash cams, 100B+ miles/year (~99% of U.S. roads), 25T+ data points.

You should apply if:

• You want to impact the industries that run our world: The software, firmware, and hardware you build will result in real-world impact – helping to keep the lights on, get food into grocery stores, and most importantly, ensure workers return home safely.
• You are a life-long learner: We have ambitious goals. Every Samsarian has a growth mindset as we work with a wide range of technologies, challenges, and customers that push us to learn on the go.
• You believe customers are more than a number: Samsara engineers enjoy a rare closeness to the end user and you will have the opportunity to participate in customer interviews, collaborate with customer success and product managers, and use metrics to ensure our work is translating into better customer outcomes.
• You are a team player: Working on our Samsara Engineering teams requires a mix of independent effort and collaboration. Motivated by our mission, we’re all racing toward our connected operations vision, and we intend to win – together.

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:

Samsara's AI has helped prevent accidents that would have harmed an estimated 380,000 people per year. Every model we ship runs in the real world, on real roads, protecting real drivers.

Every Samsara dash cam, gateway, and industrial sensor runs AI at the edge. These models detect distracted driving, prevent collisions, and keep workers safe, all in real time on constrained hardware. As Engineering Manager, you'll own how AI moves from a trained model to firmware running reliably on devices in the field across Samsara's customer fleet.

You will drive Samsara’s edge AI strategy while mentoring engineers and delivering high-impact solutions. You will oversee the deployment of next-generation intelligent safety features and video processing by integrating high-performance camera systems and real‑time edge computing into Samsara’s fleet and industrial products. In addition, you will establish the technical strategy, cross‑functional relationships, and operational cadence required to launch low‑latency, high‑quality hardware programs at scale.

This is a remote position open to candidates residing in the US. Relocation assistance will not be provided for this role.

Scale: Millions of AI dash cams, 100B+ miles/year (~99% of U.S. roads), 25T+ data points.

You should apply if:

• You want to impact the industries that run our world: The software, firmware, and hardware you build will result in real-world impact – helping to keep the lights on, get food into grocery stores, and most importantly, ensure workers return home safely.
• You are a life‑long learner: We have ambitious goals. Every Samsarian has a growth mindset as we work with a wide range of technologies, challenges, and customers that push us to learn on the go.
• You believe customers are more than a number: Samsara engineers enjoy a rare closeness to the end user and you will have the opportunity to participate in customer interviews, collaborate with customer success and product managers, and use metrics to ensure our work is translating into better customer outcomes.
• You are a team player: Working on our Samsara Engineering teams requires a mix of independent effort and collaboration. Motivated by our mission, we’re all racing toward our connected operations vision, and we intend to win – together.

In this role, you will:

• Lead a team of ~5 firmware and ML engineers. Your team builds, optimizes, and deploys AI models on Samsara's fleet and industrial devices. Your work directly affects whether a driver gets a warning before a collision, not after.
• Provide hands‑on technical leadership. Lead from the front technically, contributing directly to the design, implementation, and optimization of high‑performance production systems.
• Set the technical bar for edge ML and embedded systems. You'll guide architecture decisions on latency, power, memory, and model performance, and mentor engineers to go deep on problems most teams never touch.
• Turn new AI capabilities into shipped products. You'll partner with Product, Hardware, and Full‑stack teams to take features from concept to deployment on devices. You'll also keep improving the ones customers rely on every day.
• Shape the roadmap. You'll work with leadership on quarterly plans that balance product ambition with engineering health, and make the tradeoffs that deliver the most customer impact.
• Build a team people want to join and stay on. You'll create a culture of ownership, accountability, and continuous improvement, with a high bar for execution quality and room for people to grow.
• Scale Samsara's culture as we grow globally. You'll champion and role model our principles as the team expands across new offices: Focus on Customer Success, Build for the Long Term, Adopt a Growth Mindset, Be Inclusive, and Win as a Team.
• Hire and develop top talent. You'll grow an inclusive, engaged, high-performing team, and help define what great edge AI engineering looks like at Samsara.

Minimum requirements for the role:

• 3+ years of hands‑on execution‑oriented technical management experience.
• 8+ years of experience in embedded systems and edge machine learning development.
• Proven track record managing a team of engineers that has shipped a mass production product.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work well in a diverse fast paced customer‑focused environment.
• Experience deploying CV/ML models on edge devices in real‑world applications.

An ideal candidate also has:

• Experience working on products from concept to mass production.
• Proficiency in C/C++, Rust, or similar programming languages.
• Proficiency in gstreamer, Google MediaPipe, or similar edge AI/Media frameworks.
• Experience with data analysis using tools such as Databricks, SQL queries, Tableau.
• Bachelors or Masters degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering or equivalent field.

The compensation range shown spans approved pay zones for this role. Your primary work location determines the range applicable to you, which may be narrower than the full range displayed.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: $154,700 USD - $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 [e-mail] or click here if you require any reasonable accommodations throughout the recruiting process.