It doesn’t sync to homeassistant, but I use a Xiaomi scale with openScale off of F-Droid. There’s a few different scales supported: https://github.com/oliexdev/openScale/wiki/Supported-scales-in-openScale

Nothing near that impressive. I don’t make the fancy sand, I just move electrons around with fancy sand that someone else made, aka programming.

I organize electrons in ways that make fancy sand organize more electrons.

I’d personally look for a used Prusa i3 MK3[S[+]]. Part of that is personal bias, it’s what I still print with (specifically the MK3S variant, I haven’t bothered to upgrade it to +), but in all the years I’ve had it it’s been an absolute workhorse and has very much thrived on the copious amount of neglect I’ve given it. The only things I’ve ever done to it are install firmware updates and occasionally smear some grease on the smooth rods with a finger. Still, every time I print with it, it just works.

Prusa just announced a new printer so there might be a little wave of them being put up for sale.

Edit: You mentioned that you want to print ASA, which AFAIK requires an enclosure. The MK3 is annoying to put in an enclosure because you have to move the power supply outside the enclosure. Though the printer that Prusa just announced is enclosed and is < $1000 (just) if that puts it in the “low-cost” category for you. https://www.prusa3d.com/product/prusa-core-one-kit-2/

As someone who is currently hiring: Anything

Beyond that it depends on what you know and what kind of work you want to do.