Director Vehicle Engineering Ford Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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 hiring a Director of Vehicle Integration to lead the group that drives development and testing for our autonomous vehicle platforms. The group owns the hardware-in-the-loop and bench capability our software is validated against, and the bring-up and commissioning that take a vehicle from an early engineering build to a scaled fleet. When a problem cannot be resolved in the field, this group is the engineering backstop.

What you'll do

• Off-vehicle validation. Own the hardware-in-the-loop and bench capability that validates a software release against real vehicle interfaces, including where bench behavior and vehicle behavior diverge.
• Integration architecture. Own the autonomy integration on the development fleet: electrical architecture, harnesses, mounting, sensor and compute placement, power, and the drive-by-wire and actuation interface to the base vehicle, including fault handling and degraded-mode behavior.
• On-vehicle bring-up and commissioning. Own the build instructions, drawings, calibration procedures, and production scripts that development vehicle builds and retrofits run against, and make commissioning into a gate.
• Cross-functional interfaces. Work with robotics on the release interface, with vehicle operations on availability and field issues, with hardware engineering and manufacturing on build and retrofit execution, and with OEM and supplier partners.
• Team building. Hire and lead the vehicle integration engineering team. Set the technical bar and develop engineers who can handle routine bring-ups independently.
• Engineering standards. Establish and enforce conventions for schematics, circuit naming, labeling, harness documentation, and change control across internal teams and suppliers. Lead design reviews, DFMEA, and structured root-cause processes.

What we're looking for

• Required: Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Mechanical, or Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Robotics, or a related field, with 10+ years of relevant experience including 5+ leading engineers. Equivalent hands-on experience will be considered in place of the degree.
• Ownership of vehicle integration from architecture through fleet deployment, with personal accountability for how the system was installed, validated, and supported on the road.
• Hands-on experience with machine and vehicle networks (CAN, CAN FD, automotive Ethernet); drive-by-wire and actuation integration; electrical and harness architecture for harsh environments; embedded compute and sensor integration; hardware-in-the-loop and bench validation.
• Experience converting bespoke, per-vehicle bring up engineering into a repeatable process
  Experience on an L3 or L4 automated driving program, or a production ADAS program at L2+
• Ability to work onsite five days a week in San Francisco, with travel to test and deployment sites. The role requires lifting up to 50 lbs and working at roof level and under vehicles, with or without reasonable accommodation, and a valid driver's license with a clean driving record.

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 $185,000 - $254,000 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.
Pronto accepts applications on an ongoing basis.

Ready to join us as we serve those who serve others? 

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