Head of Quality

ATOMS Careers page; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 170,000 - 220,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k)

Health Savings Account (HSA)

Discretionary vacation days

8 paid holidays per year

Job summary

Atoms is scaling its autonomous vehicle program and building a dedicated quality function to own end-to-end release decisions. You will lead quality across hardware assembly, define metrics, and drive defect reduction, including oversight of third-party upfitters.

The role requires extensive experience in security‑critical hardware settings and hands‑on governance over supplier quality. You will shape the quality organization as volumes grow, build the documentation backbone (PFMEA, control

Qualifications

• 10+ years of quality leadership in complex hardware contexts (automotive/AV/robotics).
• Experience scaling quality systems from low-volume builds to serial production.
• Hands-on IPC/PPAP knowledge and supplier quality management.

Responsibilities

• Own release gates and quality systems across the full build: boards, box assembly, vehicle upfitting.
• Define the quality metric set and drive systematic defect reduction.
• Hold final QA authority over all production, including any third‑party upfitter or CM; no unit releases without your gate.
• Build root‑cause discipline: 8D, CAPA, structured failure analysis feeding back into design and process.
• Set workmanship and inspection standards and audit suppliers against them.
• Stand up the quality documentation backbone: control plans, PFMEA, incoming inspection, traceability.
• Hire and lead the quality team as volumes scale.

Skills

Quality leadership

Scaling experience

OEM/Tier 1 exposure

IPC/PPAP knowledge

Release decision authority

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.

About the role

We are scaling an autonomous vehicle fleet from prototype builds to serial production, spanning PCBA production, compute box assembly, and vehicle upfitting across in-house facilities and contract manufacturers. You will build the quality function from zero and own it end to end. You are the final authority on what ships.

What you’ll do

• Own release gates and quality systems across the full build: boards, box assembly, vehicle upfitting
• Define the quality metric set and drive systematic defect reduction
• Hold final QA authority over all production, including any third‑party upfitter or CM; no unit releases without your gate
• Build root‑cause discipline: 8D, CAPA, structured failure analysis feeding back into design and process
• Set workmanship and inspection standards and audit suppliers against them
• Stand up the quality documentation backbone: control plans, PFMEA, incoming inspection, traceability
• Hire and lead the quality team as volumes scale

What we are looking for

• 10+ years in quality leadership for complex hardware: automotive, AV, EV, space, robotics, or similar safety‑critical industries
• Scaling experience: has taken quality systems from low‑volume builds to serial production
• Knows what “really good” looks like: time inside a large OEM or Tier 1 quality organization, combined with the pragmatism to build from zero in a startup environment
• Deep hands‑on knowledge of IPC standards, APQP/PPAP or equivalent, and supplier quality management
• Willing to hold the line on release decisions under schedule pressure

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 Francisco office. 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.

Base salary range for this role is $170,000 - $220,000 per year.

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

Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package. You may also be eligible for equity awards and an annual performance‑based bonus.

Benefits Summary (USA Full‑Time Exempt Employees)

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance (multiple plans, incl. HSA options).
• Company‑paid life and disability insurance (short‑and long‑term).
• Voluntary insurance: accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity.
• Optional supplemental life insurance for self, spouse, and children.
• 401(k).
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Flexible Spending Accounts (Healthcare, Dependent Care, Commuter)
• Discretionary vacation days
• 8 paid holidays per year

Benefits are subject to change at the company's discretion.
Atoms accepts applications on an ongoing basis.

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

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