---
title: 'QC Technician - PCBA Firmware Flashing and Functional Test at Atoms'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/qc-technician-pcba-firmware-flashing-and-functional-test-atoms-san-francisco-54nf8myvcwcv'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-10-29'
---

# QC Technician - PCBA Firmware Flashing and Functional Test at Atoms

- **Company:** Atoms
- **Location:** San Francisco, CA
- **Posted:** 2026-10-27
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-10-29
- **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/cssmerge/jobs/8920487002

## 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.

## About the role

The QC Technician is the last check between our electronics and the field. You will flash firmware onto circuit boards every day, run functional tests, and make sure every board that leaves the bench is correctly programmed, traceable, and working.

This is a hands-on, bench-based role on the hardware production team. You will work closely with hardware and firmware engineers, follow documented procedures, and flag anything that looks off before it reaches a vehicle.

## What you'll do

- Flash bootloaders, firmware, and configuration files onto PCBs and modules using programming fixtures, JTAG/SWD debuggers, USB/serial tools, and in-house scripts.
- Confirm the correct firmware version and configuration is loaded on every board, matched to the build order, and run batch flashing efficiently while keeping error rates near zero.
- Run functional and power-on tests after flashing, following test procedures and checklists; visually inspect boards for physical defects such as damaged components, solder issues, bent pins, and connector damage.
- Use multimeters, power supplies, and basic test equipment to check voltages and continuity.
- Separate passing and failing units, and tag failures clearly for engineering review. Write clear failure reports with symptoms, steps taken, and photos where useful.
- Log serial numbers, firmware versions, test results, and failures in our tracking system or spreadsheets, label boards and keep inventory of programmed, tested, and failed units accurate.
- Do first-level troubleshooting on failed flashes and tests: re-seat connections, check cables, retry, and swap fixtures–escalate recurring or unexplained failures to hardware and firmware engineers with enough detail to act on.
- Follow ESD-safe handling and keep the bench, fixtures, and tools clean, calibrated, and organized, suggest improvements to procedures, fixtures, and scripts that cut cycle time or errors.
- Help keep work instructions and checklists up to date as firmware and hardware change, and support new product introductions and engineering builds when needed.

## What we're looking for

- High school diploma or equivalent; technical certificate or associate degree in electronics or a related field is a plus.
- 3+ year of hands-on experience in electronics manufacturing, test, QC, or a similar bench role.
- Comfortable handling PCBs and small components with ESD-safe practices.
- Basic use of a multimeter and bench power supply.
- Comfortable on a linux computer: running programs or scripts from instructions, using a command line at an intermediate level, and entering data accurately in spreadsheets or tracking tools.
- Able to follow written procedures exactly and recognize when something doesn't match them, clear written and verbal communication for logging results and reporting failures.
- Reliable, consistent, and comfortable with repetitive, high-volume work.
- Background in automotive, robotics, or heavy equipment electronics preferred.
- IPC-A-610 or IPC J-STD-001 certification, or working knowledge of PCB workmanship standards preferred.
- Experience flashing microcontrollers (STM32, ESP32, NXP, or similar) with tools such as ST-Link, J-Link, or OpenOCD preferred.
- Familiarity with Linux and running Python or shell scripts preferred.
- Experience with oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, or serial terminals (UART, CAN), basic soldering and rework skills, and experience with test fixtures, bed-of-nails testers, or production test stations preferred.

Physical Requirements

- Bench work in a lab or production environment, standing or seated for long periods.
- Lift and move boxes and equipment up to 25 lb.
- Close-up visual work with small components; magnification provided.
- Use of ESD protective equipment required.

## 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 starting rate for this role is $40.00 - $60.00 per hour.

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

Benefits Summary:

- Medical, dental, and vision insurance (multiple plans, incl. HSA options)
- Company-paid life and disability insurance (short- and long-term)
- Voluntary insurance: accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity
- Optional supplemental life insurance for self, spouse, and children
- Pet insurance discount (Fetch)
- 401(k)
- Health Savings Account (HSA)
- Flexible Spending Accounts (Healthcare, Dependent Care, Commuter)
- Time Off policies
- Paid Vacation Time (1h for every 26h worked)
- 8 paid holidays per year
- Paid sick time
- Paid Bereavement leave
- Paid Parental Leave.

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?

#LI-Onsite

## About Atoms

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Atoms builds physical automation systems—robotics, AI, software, and infrastructure—for mining, transport, and food industries to automate the physical world.
- **Entity Type**: Private (formerly City Storage Systems; rebranded from CloudKitchens/ProFood parent)
- **Headquarters**: Los Angeles, California, United States
- **Founded**: Rebranded as Atoms in March 2026; predecessor City Storage Systems founded earlier (~2018)
- **Founders**: Travis Kalanick (CEO)

## Core Business
- Primary industry: Physical AI, Robotics, Automation Machinery Manufacturing, Industrial Infrastructure
- Target customers: Mining/quarry operators, transportation & logistics companies, food service brands and kitchens (B2B, heavy industrial)
- Mission or purpose statement: “We build progress machines.” / “The constraint on human progress is our ability to automate the physical world.”

## Products & Services
- **Atoms Mining**: Autonomous haulage systems for mines and quarries designed to improve productivity, safety, and efficiency in complex industrial environments.
- **Atoms Transport**: Wheelbase for robots — autonomous delivery and logistics systems for moving goods. Includes the acquired Pronto AI technology (acquisition completed April 2026).
- **Atoms Food (ProFood)**: Robotics for better food. Automated kitchen systems that deliver consistent, affordable meals at scale; kitchen infrastructure platforms (bringing orders, delivery, operations into one platform); food real estate; Lab37 (an operating system for food facilities); and a forthcoming “built” meals brand.
- **Lab37**: The operating system/software layer that connects and orchestrates Atoms’ physical automation across domains.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not publicly disclosed
- **Key Metric**: Total Funding – Not publicly disclosed; previously raised significant capital as City Storage Systems/CloudKitchens (estimated at over $1B in prior rounds); 414 employees on LinkedIn as of mid-2026
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Travis Kalanick (founder/CEO, previously co-founded Uber); partners include mining/quarry operators, food brands (specific names not public)
- **Growth Signals**: 414 employees (+13.2% monthly growth); operates in 24 countries; 26 active job postings (+160% monthly); recent acquisition of Pronto AI (April 2026); rebranding from City Storage Systems to Atoms (March 2026) signals strategic consolidation and pivot; hiring across robotics, AI, software, hardware, operations globally

## Competitive Advantages
- **Cross-stack vertical integration**: Controls sensors, compute, software, manufacturing, operations, real estate, energy, and infrastructure — a rare “full-stack” approach to physical AI.
- **Founder advantage**: Led by Travis Kalanick (Uber co-founder) who has deep experience scaling category-defining companies and attracting top engineering/operations talent.
- **Real-world deployment**: Robots with “real jobs” — not lab demos — deployed in working mines, kitchens, and transport systems today.
- **Engineering culture**: Emphasis on “cross-stack competence,” ownership, and solving problems “most companies won’t attempt.”
- **Global footprint**: Presence in 24 countries allows rapid deployment and operations at scale.

## Strategic Focus
- Consolidating formerly separate brands (CloudKitchens, ProFood, Pronto AI) under one unified “Atoms” identity to create a single physical AI platform
- Expanding autonomous mining haulage into more quarries and mines globally
- Scaling food automation from kitchen robotics to end-to-end food infrastructure (real estate, ordering, delivery, operations)
- Growing AI, ML, and autonomy capabilities (hiring Senior Software Engineer - ML Infrastructure, Backend Infrastructure, Robotics Engineer)
- International expansion with dedicated regional roles (APAC, LATAM, Europe)

## Why Work Here
- **High ownership**: “Take ownership early, and contribute from day one” — interns and new hires work on live products, not side projects.
- **Hard problems**: Solving physical-world automation challenges that most companies won’t attempt — mining, logistics, food production at scale.
- **Compensation**: “Outsized rewards for outsized performance” — competitive compensation, healthcare, benefits, and PTO.
- **Culture**: “Builders” and “hardcore engineers” who have scaled category-defining companies — a relentless, high-expectation environment focused on excellence.
- **Work policy**: Mix of in-office roles (Mountain View, CA; Los Angeles, CA; New York, NY; Austin, TX) and international locations (Vilnius, LTU; Makati, PH; Bogotá, COL; São Paulo, BRA). Remote/hybrid policy not explicitly stated but many roles list specific city locations.
- **Tech stack**: Modern — Python, TypeScript, Go, Java, Kubernetes, Docker, PostgreSQL, Redis, GraphQL, gRPC, Bazel, Google Cloud, NVIDIA, dbt, Looker, Airflow.
- **Team composition**: 25% of employees in technical roles (154 people); strong presence of HR, legal, finance, and operations supporting global scale; talent sourced from CloudKitchens, Amazon, Uber, Google, ProFood Properties, City Storage Systems.

## Sources
1. [atoms.co](https://atoms.co/)
2. [atoms.co/careers](https://atoms.co/careers)
3. [atoms.co/openroles](https://atoms.co/openroles)
4. [LinkedIn – Atoms](https://www.linkedin.com/company/atomsco)
5. [Greenhouse – Atoms Jobs](http://job-boards.greenhouse.io/cssmerge)

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