Senior Program Manager, Vehicle Configuration

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

We are seeking a Senior Program Manager to own vehicle configuration and change control: the record of what hardware and software is on every R&D vehicle we operate, and the process governing how it changes. In this role, you will define the configuration data model, the capture path that keeps the record accurate against development assets, and the change processes that enable us to test quickly and effectively. The role spans multiple vehicle platforms with different hardware, compute, and software, and requires regular time in the garage and around vehicles.

Responsibilities

• Configuration System of Record: Own the record of as-designed, as-built, and as-running configuration for every platform, covering hardware revision and serialization, harness and sensor set, compute generation, calibration state, and firmware and software versions. Define the configuration data model, including item and revision structure, effectivity rules, and the platform abstractions that hold across differing vehicle types.
• Configuration Capture: Define how configuration data is captured at the point of work, so that build, modification, service, and software update events update the record through the tools technicians and engineers already use. Own record accuracy as a measured metric, including the audit methods used, and the cadence at which it runs.
• Release and Campaign Eligibility: Establish how we determine which properties are eligible for a given software release, test campaign, or data collection mission, and the reason any vehicle is excluded.
• Configuration and Data Provenance: Define how logged data and test results are tied to the configuration that produced them. Partner with software and data teams on how provenance is used in validation and training workflows.
• Enterprise System Requirements: Define configuration requirements for PLM, ERP, MES, and inventory systems, own the integration design between those systems and the configuration record.
• Cross-Functional Ownership: Partner with vehicle integration, manufacturing and technician teams, autonomy and software release, safety, supply chain, and operations, and resolve conflicting requirements across them.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, computer science, or a related technical field is required, with 6+ years in technical program management, technical product management, engineering program management, or a comparable role. Equivalent hands-on experience will be considered in place of the degree.
• Demonstrated ownership of a technical program or internal system end to end, from requirements through delivery and sustained adoption by users who were not required to use it.
• Experience in environments where physical asset state and software state must be kept reconciled, in autonomous vehicles, automotive, EV, robotics, or aerospace.
• Working knowledge of engineering change and configuration management, including BOM structure and revision control, ECR and ECO workflow, effectivity, serialization and genealogy, and as-designed to as-built reconciliation.
• Working knowledge of software configuration and release management, including version and build identity, update and flashing paths, parameter and calibration management, and fleet-wide version reporting.
• Demonstrated experience designing an operational process and measuring adherence to it, with the ability to describe what was measured and what the results showed.
• Strong written communication across requirements, decision records, and status reporting, for technical and executive audiences.
• Ability to work onsite five days a week in San Francisco, with regular time in the garage and around machines, and some travel to deployment and test sites.

Benefits

• 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 $160,000 - $200,000 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.
• 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
• Atoms accepts applications on an ongoing basis.
• Ready to join us as we serve those who serve others?
• #LI-Onsite