Manufacturing Intern

Atoms; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 69,000 - 83,000; Full time

Job summary

Atoms builds Physical AI—real-world robots powering the industries that move civilization forward. The Manufacturing Engineering Intern role is on our San Francisco floor, where you’ll own real projects alongside experienced engineers and technicians.

You’ll conduct time-and-motion studies, design fixtures, optimize layouts, and draft SOPs while collaborating across engineering and technician teams on hands-on manufacturing improvements. This 12-week program emphasizes growth and concrete impact.

Qualifications

• Education: pursuing a Bachelor’s or Master’s in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Industrial, or Mechatronics Engineering (or related field).
• Hands-on mindset: comfortable on the shop floor with technicians and hardware.
• Technical fundamentals: basic proficiency with 3D CAD software for fixtures or layouts.
• Analytical skills: familiarity with data analysis tools (Excel, Python) and Lean methods (5S, Kaizen).
• Communication: strong ability to collaborate across engineering and technician teams.

Responsibilities

• Conduct time-and-motion studies, line balancing, and cycle time analyses to identify bottlenecks in custom builds and retrofit kits.
• Design and fabricate production tooling, jigs, and fixtures to improve build quality and floor ergonomics.
• Assist in optimizing station layouts and material kitting flows across the San Francisco facility.
• Collaborate daily with build technicians to translate floor feedback into improvements.
• Draft and update SOPs and work instructions in partnership with Hardware Engineering.
• Collect and analyze key manufacturing metrics to help prioritize engineering fixes.

Skills

Hands-on Mindset

CAD basics

Data analysis

Lean principles

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s in Mechanical/Manufacturing/Industrial/Mechatronics Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

NX

Onshape

Job description

Who we are

At Atoms, we are 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

As a Manufacturing Engineering Intern, you won't just shadow-you'll own real projects alongside experienced engineers and technicians on our production floor.

• Process & Line Optimization: Conduct time-and-motion studies, line balancing, and cycle time analyses to identify bottlenecks in custom computer builds and retrofit kit manufacturing.
• Tooling & Fixtures: Design and fabricate production tooling, jigs, and fixtures to improve build quality, repeatability, and floor ergonomics.
• Layout & Material Flow: Assist in optimizing station layouts and material kitting flows across our San Francisco facility.
• Floor Collaboration: Work daily with build technicians to capture hands-on process knowledge and translate floor feedback into implemented physical or procedural improvements.
• Standardization: Draft and update version-controlled Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and work instructions in partnership with Hardware Engineering.
• Data Tracking: Collect and analyze key manufacturing metrics (cycle time, first-pass yield, defect rates) to help prioritize engineering fixes.

What we’re looking for

• Education: Currently pursuing a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Industrial, or Mechatronics Engineering (or a related field).
• Hands-on Mindset: Comfortable spending time on the shop floor working directly with technicians, tools, and hardware.
• Technical Fundamentals: Basic proficiency with 3D CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks, NX, or Onshape) for designing fixtures or workstation layouts.
• Analytical Skills: Familiarity with data analysis tools (Excel, Python, or similar) and an interest in Lean principles (5S, Root Cause Analysis, Kaizen).
• Communication: Strong communication skills and an eagerness to collaborate across engineering and technician teams.

Preferred qualifications

• Prior internship or project experience in a hands-on manufacturing, robotics, automotive, or hardware environment.
• Experience running time-and-motion studies or drafting assembly instructions.
• Student team participation (e.g., Formula SAE, FIRST Robotics, Hyperloop, or similar hardware clubs).

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.

Program Dates: Our internship is a 12-weeks program. Cohort sessions run as follows:

• 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?

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