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.
About the role
We are seeking a Senior Harness Engineer to own the wire harnesses on our on-road autonomous vehicles, from design through fabrication and quality. In this role, you will take a harness from electrical architecture and schematic, to a released drawing package, to a built, tested, and installed assembly, working out how wire, connectors, routing, and protection come together on the vehicle. You will do this across our vehicle platforms and hardware revisions, and you will own the fabrication and inspection process every harness passes before it goes on a vehicle. This is a hands-on role based in the garage, on the build floor, and at our harness manufacturing partners.
What you’ll do
Design the wire harnesses that connect sensors, compute, power distribution, and vehicle interfaces on our on-road vehicles: circuit allocation, wire and terminal selection, connectors and seals, splices, circuit protection, grounding, and shielding.
Produce and release the complete harness package: schematics, harness and formboard drawings, pinouts, wire lists, BOMs, and manufacturing drawings, with 3D routing and length verification against the vehicle model.
Define routing, retention, protection, and service loops on the vehicle, and verify fit, bend radius, clearance, and strain relief on the first installation of each new design.
Build and test prototype harnesses in house, and run first article builds and production releases with harness manufacturing partners, including DFM and DFA review, tooling and formboard requirements, and lead time planning.
Write the work instructions, inspection criteria, and end-of-line test procedures for harness fabrication, and keep them current through engineering change.
Hold harness workmanship to IPC/WHMA-A-620: crimp validation by pull test and crimp height, incoming inspection of purchased harnesses, and continuity and hipot testing before a harness is released to the build floor.
Manage harness variants and configuration across vehicle platforms and hardware revisions, and run engineering changes through PLM with effectivity and cut-in defined for vehicles in build and in the fleet.
Own harness issues from the build floor and the fleet: reproduce the failure, establish root cause with technicians and integration engineers, and drive corrective action with design or the manufacturing partner through verification on the builds that follow.
Qualify harness components and assemblies for the vehicle environment, including connector sealing, temperature, vibration, and chemical exposure, and turn the results into design rules and an approved component list.
Support vehicle builds and bring-up in the garage, including harness installation, debug of power and network faults, and rework and repair decisions.
Standardize connectors, terminals, and harness components with electrical, mechanical, and supply chain, covering cost, availability, and serviceability. Internal customers are vehicle integration, manufacturing, and fleet operations.
What we’re looking for
Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Mechanical, Mechatronics, or Aerospace Engineering, or a related field. Equivalent hands-on experience will be considered in place of the degree.
5+ years designing and releasing wire harnesses for vehicles, aircraft, or robotic systems, in automotive, autonomous vehicle, aerospace, or commercial vehicle programs, including harnesses you took from concept through production release.
Experience producing complete, buildable harness documentation: schematics, harness and formboard drawings, pinouts, wire lists, and BOMs, in an electrical design tool such as Capital or Zuken E3.series, with 3D routing in CATIA, NX, SolidWorks, or equivalent.
Working knowledge of wire, terminal, connector, seal, and circuit protection selection, grounding and shielding practice, and the sealed automotive connector systems in common use.
Hands-on harness fabrication: cutting, stripping, crimping, soldering, splicing, shielding, loom and overbraid, labeling, and continuity testing, with the ability to build and rework a harness yourself.
Working knowledge of IPC/WHMA-A-620 and crimp validation methods, including pull testing, crimp height measurement, and cross-sectioning.
Experience working with a contract harness manufacturer on DFM, first articles, quality issues, and engineering changes.
Vehicle network and interface fundamentals as they apply to harness design: CAN and CAN FD, LIN, Automotive Ethernet, and high-speed sensor links such as GMSL or FPD-Link, including twisted pair, shield, and termination requirements.
Experience with a PLM or PDM system and an engineering change process, including effectivity and cut-in on hardware already in the field.
Working knowledge of structured problem solving on build and field failures: 8D, 5 Whys, fishbone, and FMEA.
Clear written communication for drawings, work instructions, failure reports, and supplier correspondence.
Ability to work onsite five days a week in San Francisco, with regular time in the garage and on the build floor, and travel to harness manufacturing partners and test sites. Valid driver's license with a clean driving record. The role requires lifting up to 50 lbs and working at roof level and under vehicles, with or without reasonable accommodation.
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 $139,000 - $172,000 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. Atoms accepts applications on an ongoing basis.
Ready to join us as we serve those who serve others?
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