Lead Camera Systems Engineer
Samsara (View all Jobs)
San Francisco, CA
Interview Process
1. Phone interview 2. Onsite interview (technical challenges based on real problems we've faced at Samsara)
Salary
$131,040
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, Equipment Monitoring, and Site Visibility. 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 Staff Camera System Engineer to join our team. The team is responsible for product development across several Samsara product lines and new technology investigations. In the day-to-day, you will be responsible for defining camera systems and designing board-level and system-level camera circuits. You will lead the design of camera subsystems and next-generation products through feasibility, design, development, and validation encompassing image sensor selection and lens characterization. We run a collaborative process working closely with customers, PM, EE, PD, SW, EPM, Rel, and QA to make excellent decisions.
This is a hybrid position requiring 3 days per week (Tuesday-Thursday) in our San Francisco, CA office and 2 days working remotely.
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, and 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:
- Define next-generation camera hardware based on new technologies, field feedback, and customer requirements, including sensor selection and lens characterization
- Create camera subsystem specifications, analyze, model, characterize, and test the camera module’s electrical, optical, and optoelectronic components through all phases of the development process from concept to product ramp
- Define test and calibration methods for camera modules and other optical sensors, including test station hardware and algorithm development
- Work on SOC video pipeline definition, imaging ISP, IQ tuning, and objective/subjective image quality evaluation
- Review board-level schematic design and PCB layout of camera circuits and system-level integration
- Bring up camera and other optical subsystems and enable product teams to develop next-generation products or new product proof of concept
- Root cause analysis for build failures or field failures, and implement design changes accordingly
- Conduct research: stay abreast of the latest camera technologies from all the top semiconductor companies and evaluate the leading edge technologies, including sensor, lens, image SOC, and more
- Integrate EVKs to showcase new technology concepts and demos to contribute to Samsara’s product roadmap
- Actively participate in sampling customer experience and improving product performance
- Work closely with product teams to manage top JDM companies to design, validate, certify, and manufacture quality products in high-volume
- 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:
- 10+ years of professional industry experience in camera system development
- Proficient in camera system level modeling, simulation, data analysis, board-level schematic design, and PCB layout of camera circuits
- Experience working on CMOS image sensor technology, image signal processing pipelines, lens characterization, and module active alignment
- Experience working with camera sensor chipset, lens, or module vendors, image test instrument suppliers, JDM partners, and shipping high-volume products
- Proficient in simulation tools such as Zemax or Code V, as well as EDA tools such as Altium or Cadence
- Experience with lab instruments and equipment for designing and performing laboratory experiments for camera and other optical sensors testing and test automation
- Ability to deal with product requirements ambiguity and design trade-offs
- Bachelors or masters in Optical, Physics, Opto-electrical or similar
- Good written and verbal communication skills
- This role is based in the San Francisco Bay Area
An ideal candidate also has:
- Experience with lens simulation, tolerance analysis, and stray light analysis is a plus
- Experience with both analog and digital circuits, e.g. low noise power supply for camera module and high-speed interface such as MIPI or SerDes
- Knowledge of camera module layout strategies for material selection, stack-up, signal integrity, noise suppression, and EMI/EMC design and mitigation techniques
- Thrives in an environment that requires rapid deployment and product iteration based on customer feedback and field data
- Experience in building image labs for hardware development, characterization, validation, failure analysis, etc.
- Forward-thinking to build processes, identify opportunities, solve hardware technical problems, and a go-to person for any camera-related technical issues
Samsara’s Compensation Philosophy: Samsara’s compensation program is designed to deliver Total Direct Compensation (based on role, level, and geography) that is at or above market. We do this through our base salary + bonus/variable + restricted stock unit awards (RSUs) for eligible roles. For eligible roles, a new hire RSU award may be awarded at the time of hire, and additional RSU refresh grants may be awarded annually.
We pay for performance, and top performers in eligible roles may receive above-market equity refresh awards which allow employees to achieve higher market positioning.
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. We are committed to increasing diversity across our team and ensuring that Samsara is a place where people from all backgrounds can make an impact.
Benefits
Full time employees receive a competitive total compensation package along with employee-led remote and flexible working, health benefits, Samsara for Good charity fund, and much, much more. Take a look at our Benefits site to learn more.
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.
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.
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’ or ‘@us-greenhouse-mail.io’. For more information regarding fraudulent employment offers, please visit our blog post here.
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