ML PhD Software Engineer Intern

Atoms; United States; On-site; USD 83,000 - 124,000; Full time

Job summary

Atoms is building the machines powering the next era of progress. We seek an engineering intern pursuing a PhD in ML/AI, graduating 2027 or 2028, with a 3.7 GPA, and a track record in ML/Gen AI.

You’ll tackle diverse technical challenges and write clean, maintainable code in Go, Python, Java, or C/C++. You’ll join a cross-disciplinary team to build out an advanced LLM evaluation framework, develop RL techniques for real-world applications, and accelerate next‑generation LLM features.

Qualifications

• Active pursuit of a PhD in ML/AI or related field.
• Graduating in 2027 or 2028.
• Minimum 3.7 GPA.
• Strong research track in ML/Gen AI.
• Problem solver who writes clean, maintainable code.

Responsibilities

• Develop RL techniques for Atoms LLM applications.
• Contribute to evaluation framework for continuous monitoring.
• Advance LLM features for Atoms’ applications.
• Publish research findings and contribute to open-source.

Skills

PhD student in ML/AI

Graduating 2027/2028

GPA 3.7

ML/Gen AI leadership

Problem solving & ownership

Go

Python

Java

C/C++

Ruby

Tools

Go

Python

Java

C/C++

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.

Who you are

• Actively pursuing a PhD degree in Machine Learning, AI, or a related technical field
• Graduating in 2027 or 2028
• 3.7 GPA Minimum
• Leading researcher in Machine Learning and Gen AI
• A problem‑solver who thrives in tackling diverse technical challenges and demonstrates a clear track record of growth and learning
• A take‑charge individual who exhibits ownership and takes pride in writing clean, maintainable, and fun code
• Have advanced programming experience in one or more application or systems languages (Go, Python, Ruby, Java, C/C++, etc.)

What you’ll do

As an engineering intern at Atoms, you’ll be an integral part of building out the state‑of‑the‑art intelligent machine for the food industry. Your role will encompass a diverse range of responsibilities, including:

• A robust and adaptable LLM evaluation framework that enables continuous performance monitoring and identification of areas for improvement.
• Development of advanced RL techniques tailored to Atoms’s LLM applications, leading to more accurate, reliable, and user‑satisfying conversational experiences.
• Accelerated development and deployment of next‑generation LLM features for Atoms’s LLMs applications.
• Published research findings and open‑sourced code (where appropriate) contributing to the broader AI community and enhancing Atoms’s reputation.

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 can be based in Seattle, Los Angeles, Mountain View or San Francisco. 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 starting rate for this role is $70.00 per hour.

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

Voluntary Self‑Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self‑identification survey.Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiringprocess or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in aconfidential file.

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.

A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.