QC Technician - PCBA Firmware Flashing and Functional Test
Bench-based QC technician at a Physical AI robotics company in San Francisco: daily flashing of bootloaders/firmware onto circuit boards, running functional and power-on tests, inspecting boards, logging serials/results, and escalating failures to engineers. Tools include JTAG/SWD debuggers (ST-Link, J-Link, OpenOCD), multimeters, Linux CLI, and STM32/ESP32/NXP microcontrollers.
- Compensation
- $40–$60 / hr
- Location
- San Francisco, CA
- Work setup
- Not specified
- Seniority
- Not specified
- Employment
- Not specified
- Experience
- 3+ years
- Category
- Embedded
- Posted
Skills
Must have
- High school diploma or equivalent (technical certificate or associate degree in electronics a plus)
- 3+ years hands-on experience in electronics manufacturing, test, QC, or similar bench role
- Comfortable handling PCBs and small components with ESD-safe practices
- Basic use of a multimeter and bench power supply
- Comfortable on Linux: running programs/scripts, intermediate command line, accurate data entry in spreadsheets/tracking tools
- Able to follow written procedures exactly and recognize deviations; clear written and verbal communication for logging and reporting
- Reliable, consistent, and comfortable with repetitive, high-volume work
- Able to do bench work standing/seated for long periods and lift up to 25 lb; ESD protective equipment use required
Nice to have
- Background in automotive, robotics, or heavy equipment electronics
- IPC-A-610 or IPC J-STD-001 certification, or working knowledge of PCB workmanship standards
- Experience flashing microcontrollers (STM32, ESP32, NXP, or similar) with ST-Link, J-Link, or OpenOCD
- Familiarity with Linux and running Python or shell scripts
- Experience with oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, or serial terminals (UART, CAN)
- Basic soldering and rework skills
- Experience with test fixtures, bed-of-nails testers, or production test stations
Full 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.