Electrical Engineering Intern

ATOMS Careers page; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 58,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Atoms is building real‑world robotics for industrial automation. This role focuses on PCB design, vehicle integration, and hardware validation, enabling reliable sensor and compute systems in on‑site projects.

You will collaborate with engineers to bring up fleets, validate boards, and troubleshoot edge cases, working in a fast‑paced startup environment that values proactive problem solving.

Qualifications

• Pursuing a Bachelor’s or Master’s in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Robotics, or related field.
• Foundational circuit design knowledge and analog/digital basics.
• Hands-on PCB tool experience via labs or projects.
• Familiarity with CAN, SPI, I2C, UART protocols.

Responsibilities

• Design and revise custom PCBs and carrier boards for vehicle compute and sensors.
• Analyze and debug automotive communication protocols on real test platforms.
• Design and execute hardware test procedures and fixtures.
• Collaborate with hardware and software engineers on vehicle bring‑up and installations.

Skills

Circuit design

Embedded systems basics

CAN/SPI/I2C/UART protocols

Proactive problem solving

Education

EE/CE/Robotics degree

Tools

Altium

KiCad

Eagle

Oscilloscopes

Multimeters

Logic analyzers

Job description

Atoms is building the machines that power the next era of progress.

Over the last decade, software has transformed the digital world. But the physical world, where food is made, minerals are mined, goods are moved, and industries are run, remains far less intelligent, far less efficient, and far more constrained. We’re changing that.

Atoms builds Physical AI— real-world robots for the industries that move civilization forward, starting with food, mining, and transport. Our systems are designed to understand, predict, and control the real world with precision, turning complex physical operations into something more reliable, more scalable, and more productive.

This work requires more than robotics. It requires deep integration across hardware, software, AI, operations, manufacturing, and real estate. We don’t just build machines in a lab. We deploy them into real environments, operate them, learn from them, and improve them until they work at scale.

We are roboticists, engineers, operators, and builders. We believe the next great technology companies will not only transform information, but the physical systems that shape everyday life.

If you want to work on hard problems with real-world impact, join us.

What you’ll do

• PCB & Carrier Board Design: Support the design and revision of custom circuit boards and carrier boards for vehicle compute, sensors (camera, radar, lidar), GPS, and actuation systems.
• Vehicle & Protocol Integration: Assist with analyzing and debugging automotive communication protocols (CAN, CAN FD, Ethernet) on real vehicle test platforms.
• Hardware Validation & Testing: Help design, assemble, and execute test procedures and hardware test fixtures to validate board designs and troubleshoot edge cases.
• Fleet Support: Work directly with hardware and software engineers on vehicle bring-up, fleet installations, and physical hardware troubleshooting on-site.

What we’re looking for

• Education: Currently pursuing a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Robotics, or a related technical field.
• Core Technical Knowledge: Solid foundation in circuit design, analog/digital fundamentals, and basic embedded systems logic.
• Hands-on Experience: Practical experience with PCB design tools (e.g., Altium, KiCad, Eagle) and bench equipment (oscilloscopes, multimeters, logic analyzers) through lab work, student design teams (e.g., Formula SAE, Robotics Club), or personal projects.
• Protocols & Hardware: Familiarity or coursework covering common hardware communication protocols (CAN, SPI, I2C, UART).
• Mindset: Proactive problem solver who thrives in a fast-paced, highly collaborative startup environment and is excited to work with physical hardware.

At Atoms, you’ll work on one of the defining challenges of our time—bringing automation into the physical world to drive real, lasting impact. We exist to uncover valuable unknown truths and turn them into progress, which means constantly pushing beyond what’s known and building what doesn’t yet exist. The work is ambitious and often challenging, but it’s grounded in a shared sense of purpose and a team committed to seeing it through together. Our work only matters if it serves others, and we know that meaningful progress depends on the trust of the people we serve and the strength of our team—so we invest in both, creating an environment where you can do your best work and grow.

What else you need to know

This role is based in our San Franciscooffice. Atoms is a company driven by invention and continuous change - we are constantly reimagining our industries, building new products, and refining how we operate. We do our best work together. That’s why all of our office-based teams work onsite, five days a week.

Program Dates

• Winter 2027: January – April
• Summer 2027: Late May – September

The base salary range for this role is $50.00 per hour.

Actual compensation will be determined on an individual basis and may vary depending on experience, skills, and qualifications.

Ready to join us as we serve those who serve others?

#LI-Onsite

Voluntary Self-Identification

As set forth in ATOMS Careers page’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy,we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection.As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measurethe effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categoriesis as follows:

A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

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