Lead Electrical Engineer

Atoms; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 195,000 - 246,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance

401(k)

Equity

Job summary

Atoms is seeking a Lead Electrical Engineer to anchor our autonomous transport initiatives in San Francisco. The role involves owning electrical architecture for autonomous vehicles and requires strong PCB design and embedded systems experience.

You’ll work closely with cross-functional teams to drive hardware development and ensure safe, responsive operations. This position offers a competitive salary, equity options, and a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and unlimited flexible time off.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience leading complex electrical engineering projects.
• Strong experience with multi‑layer PCB design and high-speed signaling.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, collaborative startup environment.

Responsibilities

• Own the electrical architecture for next‑generation autonomous vehicles.
• Analyze and document vehicle-specific communication protocols.
• Design and implement custom circuit boards for electronic vehicle operation.
• Support hardware testing processes and troubleshooting at deployment sites.

Skills

PCB design

Embedded systems

Automotive communication protocols

Hardware testing

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

Oscilloscopes

Logic analyzers

Job description

Who we are

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

We’re seeking a Lead Electrical Engineer to join our growing team and anchor our autonomous transport initiatives. In this role, you will own the electrical architecture for next‑generation on‑road autonomous vehicles, guiding hardware development from early prototyping to high‑volume scaling. You will serve as a key technical leader, bridging the gap between physical PCB design and low‑level firmware to ensure our autonomous platforms are safe, redundant, and highly responsive.

• Technical leadership: own the overarching electrical strategy for vehicle drive‑by‑wire and carrier boards. Mentor junior engineers, drive design reviews, and establish rigorous standards for hardware development.
• Vehicle integration: analyze and document CAN bus, CAN FD, direct signaling, and vehicle‑specific communication protocols on passenger and commercial platforms.
• Drive‑by‑wire development: design and implement custom circuit boards for electronic and actuator‑based vehicle operation, collaborating cross‑team on firmware, wiring, and connectors.
• Carrier board design & firmware integration: design multi‑layer carrier boards for compute units handling real‑time control systems, including high‑speed differential signaling and mixed‑signal circuits.
• Hardware testing: design, build, and support testing processes and hardware test apparatus for validation and troubleshooting.
• Integration & deployment: support fleet installations and troubleshoot hardware/firmware issues at testing and deployment sites.

What we’re looking for

• Required Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related field.
• 3+ years of experience with a proven track record of leading complex electrical engineering projects.
• Strong PCB design experience with multi‑layer boards and high‑speed signaling.
• Deep familiarity with embedded systems, firmware architecture, and real‑time control applications.
• Familiarity with common automotive communication protocols (CAN, LIN, Ethernet).
• Hands‑on experience with hardware testing, validation, and debugging tools (oscilloscopes, logic analyzers).
• Ability to lead and thrive in a fast‑paced, collaborative startup environment.

Why join us

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.

The base salary range for this role is $195,000 - $246,000 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, Vision, Disability, and Life Insurance
• Flexible Spending Account / Health Savings Account Options
• 401(k)
• Equity
• Sick Time, Unlimited Flexible Time Off, and Paid Holidays
• Paid Parental Leave
• Pre‑Tax Commuter Benefit Plan
• Team lunch in our SoMa office every Tuesday and Thursday

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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