Senior Robotics Test Engineer

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision, Disability, &

Flexible Spending Account / Health SAV

401(k)

Equity

Sick Time, Unlimited Flexible Time Off

Paid Parental Leave

Pre-Tax Commuter Benefit Plan

Team lunch in our SoMa office every

Benefits are subject to change at the

Job summary

Atoms in San Francisco is seeking a hardware-software engineer to build and test devices, develop hardware-in-the-loop tests, and collaborate with technicians and PCB engineers.

You’ll work with Linux, C++, Python, and autonomy components, with a base salary range and equity as part of total rewards; this office-based role requires five days on site in SoMa.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years of relevant non-internship work experience.
• Demonstrated ability to solve complex hardware and software issues through methodical investigation and creative problem-solving.
• Experience writing software that interacts with hardware systems.
• Strong communication skills and ability to explain complex technical issues clearly to engineers and technicians.
• Experience with Linux systems, debugging tools, C++, Python.
• Deeper experience working with at least one piece of an autonomy stack: sensors/actuators, networking/comms, electrical systems.
• Track record of building processes that scale.
• History of building tools that help others debug more effectively.

Responsibilities

• Create processes and write software for flashing, bring-up, and testing devices
• Build hardware-in-the-loop tests for actuation, burn-in, and bench testing
• Work with technicians to iterate on processes and SOPs
• Debug tricky software/hardware integration issues with technicians, electrical engineers, and other robotics engineers
• Build tools for technicians: visualization for status, test deployment, test results, test result tracking
• Advise on and iterate on device issue tracking to manage issues over time
• Work closely with manufacturing and PCB engineers
• Work with contract manufacturers to build out process and scripts

Skills

C++

Python

Linux

Hardware-interfacing

Autonomy stack experience

Communication skills

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

• Create processes and write software for flashing, bring-up, and testing devices
• Build hardware-in-the-loop tests for actuation, burn-in, and bench testing
• Work with technicians to iterate on processes and SOPs
• Debug tricky software/hardware integration issues with technicians, electrical engineers, and other robotics engineers
• Build tools for technicians: visualization for status, test deployment, test results, test result tracking
• Advise on and iterate on device issue tracking to manage issues over time
• Work closely with manufacturing and PCB engineers
• Work with contract manufacturers to build out process and scripts

What we’re looking for

• Minimum of 3 years of relevant non-internship work experience
• Demonstrated ability to solve complex hardware and software issues through methodical investigation and creative problem-solving
• Experience writing software that interacts with hardware systems
• Strong communication skills and ability to explain complex technical issues clearly to engineers and technicians
• Experience with Linux systems, debugging tools, C++, Python
• Deeper experience working with at least one piece of an autonomy stack: sensors/actuators, networking/comms, electrical systems
• Track record of building processes that scale
• History of building tools that help others debug more effectively

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 $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.

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.