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Salary: USD 170,000 - 220,000 / annual
Atoms is building Physical AI—real-world robots for industries including food, mining, and transport. The company integrates hardware, software, AI, operations, and manufacturing to deploy autonomous systems at scale.
As Head of Quality, you will build and own the quality function end-to-end as Atoms scales from prototype builds to serial production. You are the final authority on what ships, with responsibility across PCBA production, compute box assembly, vehicle upfitting, in-house facilities, and contract manufacturers.
Key responsibilities:
- Own release gates and quality systems across the full build pipeline
- Define quality metrics and drive systematic defect reduction
- Hold final QA authority over all production; no unit releases without your approval
- Build root-cause discipline through 8D, CAPA, and structured failure analysis feeding back into design and process
- Set workmanship and inspection standards; audit suppliers against them
- Establish quality documentation backbone: control plans, PFMEA, incoming inspection, traceability
- Hire and lead the quality team as volumes scale
You bring 10+ years in quality leadership for complex hardware (automotive, AV, EV, space, robotics, or similar safety-critical industries). You have scaling experience taking quality systems from low-volume builds to serial production. You understand what "really good" looks like from time in large OEM or Tier 1 quality organizations, combined with pragmatism to build from zero in a startup. You have deep hands-on knowledge of IPC standards, APQP/PPAP, and supplier quality management. You are willing to hold the line on release decisions under schedule pressure.
This is a full-time, in-office role based in San Francisco with five-day-per-week onsite expectation. The role includes equity awards and performance-based bonus eligibility alongside base salary.
