Business Development Associate at Atoms in New York, NY

Job 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 This is a BD Associate role on the Heroes team, our group focuses on the most loved restaurant brands in the country, the ones with 1 to 20 locations, obsessive customer followings, and real expansion potential. As a BD Associate, you get to own a market: finding the right operators, building the relationship, running the pitch, and helping to get the deal signed. That means real ownership and real accountability from day one. Your pipeline is your business, and what you build and close shows up directly in Atoms' growth. What you'll do Prospecting & Pipeline Generation Research, identify, and engage the most loved restaurant brands in the country, mid-market operators with 1-20 locations who've outgrown a single kitchen but aren't enterprise scale. Build a personalized outbound strategy across phone, email, LinkedIn, and in person, including hosting and attending industry events, dinners, and meetups where these operators actually spend their time. Own your pipeline end to end. You source it, qualify it, pitch it, and support close. Build and maintain a healthy pipeline against clear outreach and revenue targets. Strategic Account Research & Analysis Conduct in-depth research on restaurant brands: leadership, unit economics, expansion plans, and competitive position. Partner with our Strategy and Analytics teams to turn raw data (delivery volumes, whitespace, ROIC) into a compelling, story-driven case for why CloudKitchens, Otter, or Picnic is the right next move for an operator. Monitor industry and competitive trends to sharpen outbound strategy and surface new opportunities. Bring market insights and operator feedback back to the team to help shape BD strategy. Sales Strategy & Cross-Functional Collaboration Allocate budget for your respective market and own market strategy Support territory planning and account prioritization for your market. Pipeline Performance & Operational Excellence Look for ways to make your own workflow faster and smarter, including using AI to speed up research, outreach, and reporting. Bring a builder's mindset: test, measure, and improve how you prospect. Executive Communication & Relationship Building Build genuine relationships with restaurant founders and operators. This is a business built on trust, not just a pipeline of accounts. Represent Atoms, and the full CloudKitchens, Otter, and Picnic story, with professionalism and precision. Communicate pipeline updates, market insights, and competitive intelligence clearly to sales leadership. What we’re looking for 1-4 years of experience in Business Development, Investment Banking, Go-to-Market, Consulting, Strategy, or Operations . Client-facing experience helps, but we care more about whether you're smart, analytical