Sr. RF Hardware Systems Engineer

Sr. RF Hardware Systems Engineer

Samsara (NYSE: IOT) is the pioneer of the Connected Operations™ Cloud, a platform that leverages Internet of Things (IoT) data to provide actionable insights and improve operations for organizations reliant on physical infrastructure. We are dedicated to enhancing the safety, efficiency, and sustainability of the global economy's foundational industries, including agriculture, construction, field services, transportation, and manufacturing.

As part of our mission, you will contribute to shaping the future of physical operations and developing innovative product solutions such as Video-Based Safety, Vehicle Telematics, Apps and Driver Workflows, and Equipment Monitoring. As a recently public company, Samsara offers the autonomy and support needed to make a significant impact while building for the long term.

About the Role

We are seeking a Senior Hardware Engineer, RF Systems to take ownership of critical RF subsystems and contribute to defining platform-level RF architectures for Samsara’s connected hardware portfolio. This role requires a blend of deep RF expertise and strong product intuition, collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver robust, high-volume hardware.

The Hardware Engineering team is responsible for the end-to-end product development of Samsara’s AI & Connected devices, from architecture and component selection through validation and mass production. Within this team, you will lead RF and wireless architectures and reusable reference designs across multiple product lines. This includes chipset and antenna selection for cellular LTE/5G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GNSS, UWB, satellite, NFC, and more.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and test RF circuits, modules, and antennas through all phases of the development process, creating RF subsystem architectures.
• 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 RF performance, margins, and sensitivities at both board-level and system-level in the lab.
• Perform root-cause analysis for field failures and drive design changes and corrective actions.
• Stay current with 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 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.
• Collaborate closely with product teams and Joint Development Manufacturers (JDMs) to design, validate, certify, and manufacture high-quality products at scale.
• Champion and role-model Samsara’s values and leadership principles, uplifting the cross-functional team.
• Mentor other engineers in RF best practices, design reviews, and lab methodology.

Requirements

• 5+ years of professional industry experience in RF circuit and module development.
• Proficiency in board-level schematic design and PCB layout of RF circuits, with familiarity with RF layout guidelines.
• Hands-on experience with 4G/5G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GNSS, UWB, or satellite communications in shipped products.
• Experience working with RF chipset/module vendors, test instrument suppliers, and JDM/ODM partners, and a track record of shipping high-quality hardware at volume.
• Proficiency with RF simulation tools (e.g., CST, ADS) and EDA tools (e.g., Altium, Cadence).
• Experience using RF lab instruments such as network analyzers, spectrum analyzers, signal generators, and oscilloscopes.
• Ability to navigate 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.
• Experience in environments requiring 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 subject matter expert for RF-related technical issues.
• Experience with system engineering best practices and product compliance and certification (e.g., FCC, PTCRB, CTIA, ET