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.

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.

Click here to learn about what we value at Samsara.

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