Robotics Controls Engineer - San Francisco, CA

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.

We’re looking for a Robotics Controls Engineer to develop and maintain the core control systems that enable autonomous haul trucks to operate safely in mining environments. You’ll work on localization, path following, longitudinal control, and steering systems that run on 200+ ton vehicles.

• Design, implement, and tune control algorithms for autonomous vehicle systems
• Develop state estimation pipelines that fuse multiple sensor modalities
• Analyze system performance through simulation and field testing
• Debug control issues using logged data and identify root causes
• Collaborate with perception, planning, and hardware teams to integrate control systems
• Write production-quality Python code that runs reliably and efficiently
• Travel note: This role requires periodic travel to customer sites (up to 15%)
• Schedule note: Some schedule flexibility may be required during deployments

• BS/MS/PhD in Robotics, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering or related field is required
• 3+ years of professional (non-internship) software development experience
• Strong foundation in classical control theory (PID, lead/lag compensation, stability analysis)
• Experience with state estimation (Kalman filters, EKF/UKF)
• Proficiency in Python and Num Py/Sci Py for numerical computing
• Understanding of vehicle dynamics and kinematics
• Ability to read and debug real-time control code
• Experience deploying localization and controls algorithms on real-world systems

• Experience with Model Predictive Control (MPC)
• Familiarity with path following algorithms (Stanley, Pure Pursuit)
• Background in signal processing and filter design
• Knowledge of system identification techniques
• Experience with heavy equipment or off-highway vehicles
• Knowledge of CAN bus and vehicle interfaces
• ROS or similar robotics middleware experience
• Familiarity with modern ML techniques for controls problems

• Languages:
  
  Python (primary), C++ (optimization-critical paths)
• Libraries:
  Num Py, Sci Py
• Hardware: NVIDIA Jetson, GPS/RTK, IMUs, CAN interfaces
• Testing:
  Field testing on haul trucks, log replay, simulation

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.

This role is based in our San Francisco office.…