Atoms
Autonomous robots for industrial automation
Mechanical Design Engineer
+ Equity Awards + Annual Bonus
On-site at Pittsburgh, PA office; five days per week.
About the job
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Mechanical Engineering or a related field
- Proficiency in SolidWorks CAD software
- Practical experience in building and testing mechanical systems; hands-on fabrication skills
- A genuine enthusiasm for actuation, mechanisms, and robotics
- Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment and communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical team members
- Strong problem-solving skills and an innovative approach to mechanical design challenges
- Design and develop mechanical systems for robotic applications, ensuring functionality, cost-effectiveness, and manufacturability
- Create detailed 3D CAD models, engineering drawings, and assembly instructions
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including electrical engineers, software developers, and product managers, to integrate mechanical designs with electronic and software components
- Conduct hands-on prototype building and testing, analyzing performance data to iterate on designs
- Utilize a variety of manufacturing processes and materials to optimize designs for performance and efficiency
- Participate in design reviews, presenting design concepts and demonstrating prototypes to stakeholders
- Manage documentation related to project plans, design specifications, and testing procedures
- A strong portfolio showcasing past projects and designs
About the company
Atoms builds specialized autonomous machines for industrial work, focusing on driving labor productivity in sectors like logistics, food operations, mining, and industrial transport. It develops an integrated robotics stack that includes autonomous mobility systems, sensors, and fleet management software to enable robots to navigate facilities, move goods, and execute operational workflows while gathering data to improve efficiency over time. Unlike many firms that sell generic robots, Atoms targets structured environments with “gainfully employed robots”—task-specific, economically valuable automation that can be deployed across multiple facilities through a shared hardware-software-infrastructure platform, ensuring consistent performance and scalability. The company’s goal is to replace repetitive manual labor with continuous, autonomous systems, helping industries address labor shortages and rising costs by making robotics a core infrastructure for physical work.
Company Size
N/A
Company Stage
Late Stage VC
Total Funding
$1.7B
Headquarters
San Francisco, California
Founded
2026
Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- Atoms raised $1.7 billion in July 2026, funding hiring and long robotics development cycles.
- Ben Horowitz joined the board in July 2026, signaling a16z commitment and governance support.
- Joby announced vertiport work with Atoms in September 2026, broadening mobility commercialization paths.
What critics are saying
- Atoms still denies a robotaxi strategy, yet FT reported talks with Uber on September 6.
- Levandowski's trade-secret history from Waymo and Uber creates litigation and trust risk throughout 2026.
- Atoms faces existential execution risk if hardware deployments miss safety, reliability, or unit economics.
What makes Atoms unique
- Atoms combines Kalanick, Levandowski, and a16z capital around industrial AI, robotics, and autonomy.
- Pronto became Atoms Mining in April 2026, giving direct off-road autonomy technology and customers.
- Uber invested $100 million in 2026, creating rare founder-network access and potential fleet distribution.
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Benefits
Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Disability Insurance
Life Insurance
Health Savings Account/Flexible Spending Account
Unlimited Paid Time Off
Paid Holidays
Paid Sick Leave
Parental Leave
Commuter Benefits
Company Equity
Company News
Travis Kalanick's robotics startup Atoms has hired Vikas Chandra, a longtime Meta AI executive, as vice president of AI. Chandra previously led AI work for Meta's smart glasses and will now build "foundation models for the physical world" — AI systems designed to help machines understand and act in real-world environments. Atoms, which is developing robots for industries including food, mining, and transportation, raised $1.7 billion earlier this summer in a round led by Andreessen Horowitz. The startup absorbed Kalanick's ghost-kitchen venture CloudKitchens as a subsidiary. Chandra's appointment follows other high-profile hires, including former Uber finance chief Gautam Gupta as CFO. The company also acquired autonomous-mining startup Pronto, run by former Uber self-driving engineer Anthony Levandowski.
Uber co-founder eyes return to ride-hailing with atoms startup. By PYMNTS | September 6, 2026 Uber's co-founder is reportedly considering returning to the ride-hailing space with his new venture Atoms. That's according to a report Sunday (Sept. 6) by the Financial Times (FT), which said Travis Kalanick is looking to develop robotaxi technology by reuniting with veterans of Uber's autonomous vehicles team in a bid to achieve a decade-old goal. Thanks to a recent $1.7 billion funding round, Atoms is about to embark on a hiring spree to bring on autonomous engineering talent, sources familiar with Kalanick's plans told FT. Atoms, which Kalanick has described as a "physical AI" company, has also held early talks with Uber about using its technology for robotaxis on its ride-hailing network, these sources said. They added that Uber has invested $100 million in Atoms. A tie-up would be Kalanick's first involvement in ride-hailing at Uber since he left its board in 2019, the report said. He was forced out as CEO in 2017 after an independent investigation into Uber's handling of sexual harassment complaints criticized the company and recommended Kalanick step back. Please add Mappedin to your preferred sources list so its news, data and interviews show up in your feed. Thanks! "A lot of the things that would have happened with Uber over time are things we're doing now," Kalanick said this month at an event hosted by venture firm Andreessen Horowitz in San Francisco, per FT. The report said it interviewed several current and former Atoms and Uber employees about Kalanick's return to the ride-hailing space after nearly a decade on the sidelines. Uber declined to comment for FT, while Atoms said it is "an industrial software company focused [on] industrial applications." "We have no plans to enter the saturated robotaxi market. Uber is a partner of Atoms and can use our technology for its ridesharing business if it is helpful," the company added. PYMNTS has contacted Uber for comment but has not yet gotten a reply. Sources added that Kalanick has tapped Waymo co-founder/former Uber self-driving chief Anthony Levandowski to oversee Atoms' autonomous vehicle work. In announcing the $1.7 billion funding round in July, Kalanick said that "industrial AI," which covers software, sensors, robotics and AI used to automate operations, would power the next Industrial Revolution. "Mining, construction, heavy transport, food production are just a few examples of atoms-heavy industries awaiting massive digital transformation," he said. "Multiple trillion-dollar industries rapidly transforming over the next decade powering an engine of prosperity unparalleled in human history."
Neptune expands AI and robotics exposure with strategic investment in Atoms. Vancouver, British Columbia - August 27, 2026 - Neptune Digital Assets Corp. (TSXV: NDA) (OTCQB: NPPTF) (FSE: 1NW) ("Neptune" or the "Company") is pleased to announce an investment in Atoms, an artificial intelligence and robotics company led by Travis Kalanick, co-founder and former CEO of Uber Technologies Inc. ("Uber"). Atoms is developing intelligent machines and automation systems designed to perform productive work across the physical economy, with applications spanning transportation, mining, food production and other large industrial markets. "AI is rapidly moving beyond software and into the physical world, creating opportunities to transform some of the world's largest industries," said Cale Moodie, President and CEO of Neptune. "Atoms combines an exceptional founder with the technical ambition and capital required to pursue these opportunities at scale. For Neptune shareholders, this investment provides exposure to a high-quality private technology company at an important stage in its development." Neptune's US$500,000 investment was made as part of Atoms' previously announced US$1.7 billion financing, led by Andreessen Horowitz. The investment was completed on an arm's-length basis. The investment builds on Neptune's strategy of complementing its core digital asset operations with selective investments in private technology companies. The Company continues to evaluate opportunities across artificial intelligence, computing and other emerging technologies. About Neptune Digital Assets Corp. Neptune Digital Assets Corp. (TSXV:NDA) (OTCQB:NPPTF) (FSE:1NW) is one of the first publicly traded blockchain companies in Canada and is at the forefront of the cryptocurrency and blockchain landscape. Neptune engages in operations across the digital asset ecosystem including, proof-of-stake mining, blockchain nodes, decentralized finance (DeFi) and other associated cutting-edge technology. Its unwavering commitment to innovation and strategic growth enables Neptune Digital Assets Corp to continually explore new opportunities and maximize value for its shareholders. For more information about Neptune Digital Assets Corp., please visit its website at www.neptunedigitalassets.com or follow Neptune Digital Assets Corp on X (@NeptuneDAC). ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD Cale Moodie, President and CEO Neptune Digital Assets Corp. 1-800-545-0941 www.neptunedigitalassets.com Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-Looking Statements This release contains certain "forward-looking statements" and certain "forward-looking information" as defined under applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements and information can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may", "will", "expect", "intend", "estimate", "anticipate", "believe", "continue", "plans", "proposes" or similar terminology. Forward-looking statements and information in this release include, among others: statements regarding the anticipated benefits of the investment in Atoms, including expected exposure for Neptune shareholders to a private technology company; statements regarding Atoms' business plans and prospects, including the development and commercialization of intelligent machines and automation systems and their application across transportation, mining, food production and other industrial markets; statements regarding the potential for artificial intelligence to be applied within large industrial sectors; statements regarding Neptune's strategy of complementing its digital asset operations with investments in private technology companies; and statements regarding Neptune's continued evaluation of additional investment opportunities in artificial intelligence, computing and other emerging technologies. Forward-looking statements and information are based on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions that, while believed by management to be reasonable, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties, and contingencies. Forward-looking statements and information are subject to various known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the ability of the Company to control or predict, that may cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied thereby, and are developed based on assumptions about such risks, uncertainties and other factors set out herein, including but not limited to: the growth and profitability of the investment in Atoms; the inherent risks involved in the cryptocurrency and general securities markets; the Company may not be able to profitably liquidate its current digital currency inventory, or at all; a decline in digital currency prices may have a significant negative impact on the Company's operations; the volatility of digital currency prices; uncertainties relating to the availability and costs of financing needed in the future; the inherent uncertainty of production and cost estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses, currency fluctuations; regulatory restrictions, liability, competition, loss of key employees and other related risks and uncertainties. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking information except as required by applicable law. Such forward-looking information represents management's best judgment based on information currently available. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed and actual future results may vary materially. Accordingly, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information. Back to all news
Travis Kalanick says he wouldn't do 'anything different' about the missed Uber-Lyft acquisition. Aug 16, 2026, 10:21 PM PT Uber and Lyft were just not meant to be, says Travis Kalanick. In an Andreessen Horowitz interview released on Friday, the former Uber CEO said he has no regrets about how he handled a potential acquisition of Lyft. "I wouldn't do anything different. And it's easy to say now, but I got a lot of shit for that for a long time," he said. "I would sit across the table from the guys, and it was just clear that we were very culturally different." Uber held acquisition talks to buy its rival Lyft in 2014. The negotiations fell apart because Kalanick refused to pay more than $2 billion, while Lyft was seeking a higher valuation. In Friday's interview, Kalanick said that cultural mismatch was a problem too, and it started with Lyft's pink mustache effort. In 2012, Lyft introduced a giant plush pink mustache on its car grilles to make its vehicles instantly recognizable and reinforce a playful brand that contrasted with taxis and Uber. The quirky "carstache" fit Lyft's image of ride-hailing as a social experience, but it became less suitable as the company sought business customers. Lyft began moving away from the oversize mustache around 2014, replacing it with subtler, more practical ways to identify the correct car. The former Uber CEO, who recently launched robotics company Atoms, said that he had wanted the Lyft acquisition to go through. "When you meet with somebody, and you're going to acquire them, there's so much goodness that could come from it," he said. He added that he wanted it to work because Uber was spending an "insane amount of money" trying to compete with Lyft for market share and price. Kalanick resigned as Uber CEO in June 2017 following months of turmoil at the company, after which major investors demanded his removal. Dara Khosrowshahi was appointed CEO later that year, with a mandate to remake Uber's culture and prepare the company for an eventual public listing. Still, on Friday, Kalanick said: "I'd stand by every decision I made at Uber." In March, Kalanick rebranded an earlier venture as Atoms, an industrial AI company automating food, mining, and transportation with robotics. Atoms announced a $1.7 billion equity funding round in July 2026, led by A16z, with participation from Bain Capital and Fifth Wall. A16z's Ben Horowitz joined Atoms' board as part of the deal.
Travis Kalanick's robotics startup Atoms taps former Uber finance chief as CFO | TechCrunch. August 6, 2026 Gautam Gupta, the former finance chief under Kalanick, said in social media posts on Wednesday that he has joined Atoms as chief financial officer. Gupta spent more than four years at Uber until he left in July 2017, just a few weeks after Kalanick resigned as CEO. (Gupta had announced his intention to leave that May.) Hiring Gupta continues a trend of Kalanick getting the Uber band back together at Atoms. Earlier this year, Atoms acquired mining autonomy startup Pronto, which is run by former Uber (and former Google) self-driving engineer Anthony Levandowski. According to LinkedIn, a number of former top Uber employees who worked with Kalanick also work at Atoms, which was previously called CloudKitchens. 'On many levels, this round is a bit of unfinished business. Fuel to complete the bits-to-atoms story arc we started at Uber, continued at CloudKitchens, and will now finish at Atoms,' Kalanick wrote when he announced the $1.7 billion funding round last month. Uber even joined the... learn more