Senior Mechanical Engineer

ATOMS Careers page; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 182,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance

401(k)

Unlimited Flexible Time Off

Team lunch in the office

Job summary

ATOMS Careers page in San Francisco is seeking an experienced Mechanical Engineer to design next-generation autonomous transport platforms. You will be responsible for bridging industrial design and vehicle production, ensuring the mechanical safety of systems. Ideal candidates will have over 5 years of experience in Mechanical Design Engineering, proficient in using CAD software such as SolidWorks, and possess deep knowledge of manufacturing processes.

This position offers a competitive salary of $182,000 - $230,000 per year along with benefits including medical, dental, equity awards, and unlimited flexible time off.

Qualifications

• 5+ years professional experience in Mechanical Design Engineering.
• Hands-on design experience with 3D CAD software.
• Knowledge of CNC machining and injection molding processes.

Responsibilities

• Design and integrate autonomous vehicle sensor suites.
• Create engineering documentation and CAD models.
• Establish testing and validation protocols for electromechanical systems.

Skills

3D CAD modeling software (SolidWorks, Catia, NX)

Mechanical Design Engineering

Manufacturing processes

Prototyping methods

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field

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

We are seeking a Mechanical Engineer to help design the physical architecture of our next‑generation autonomous transport platforms. In this role, you will bridge the gap between industrial design and vehicle production, transforming complex prototypes into scalable realities. You will own the mechanical packaging of safety‑critical systems, including structural sensor mounts, ruggedized compute housings, and drive‑by‑wire integrations. By developing robust engineering documentation and validation procedures, you will ensure our fleet operates safely and reliably in urban environments.

• Sensor & Compute Packaging: Design, package, and integrate advanced autonomous vehicle sensor suites and ruggedized compute housings onto on‑road passenger vehicle platforms.
• Drive‑by‑Wire Integration: Design the electromechanical packaging of drive‑by‑wire (DBW) actuation systems, custom PCB enclosures, and low‑voltage routing.
• Ensure all PCB enclosures meet thermal performance requirements.
• Prototype to Production Scaling: Transform early‑stage prototype hardware components into refined, scalable designs optimized for high‑volume manufacturing assembly.
• Cross‑Functional Collaboration: Partner directly with industrial designers, in‑house manufacturing technicians, external vendors, and manufacturing engineering to execute rapid prototype part runs.
• Engineering Documentation: Create and maintain highly disciplined engineering documentation, including complex CAD models, production‑ready drawings, Bills of Materials (BOMs), and clear installation manuals.
• Rapid Prototyping Execution: Fabricate and iterate physical mockups using a diverse suite of rapid prototyping methods, ensuring designs are optimized for CNC machining, sheet metal fabrication, and 3D printing.
• Testing & System Validation: Establish and run rigorous physical testing and validation protocols for electromechanical systems to guarantee environmental durability, shock absorption, and long‑term reliability.

What we’re looking for

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, or a closely related field.
• 5+ years of non‑internship professional Mechanical Design Engineering experience.
• Proficient hands‑on design experience utilizing 3D CAD modeling software such as SolidWorks, Catia or NX.
• Proven background building, assembling, and troubleshooting complex mechanical, electrical, or structural assemblies.
• Strong knowledge of manufacturing processes, with direct experience designing for CNC machining, sheet metal stamping, and injection molding.
• Prior experience or deep familiarity with the structural integration of hardware onto automotive platforms, mobile robotics, or heavy mechatronic equipment.
• Demonstrated ability to create accurate, production‑level engineering drawings and meticulous component documentation using GD&T where applicable.
• Exceptional aptitude for navigating ambiguity and collaborating dynamically within a fast‑paced, hardware‑in‑the‑loop startup environment.

The base salary range for this role is $182,000 - $230,000 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
• 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.

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.