Job description

Kodiak AI, Inc. (Nasdaq: KDK), founded in 2018, is a leader in Physical AI, developing driverless technology that powers machines that move. Its Kodiak Driver is a vehicle-agnostic autonomous driving system that combines AI-powered software with modular hardware. Today it operates in long-haul trucking, industrial trucking, and defense. In 2024, Kodiak launched commercial Driver-as-a-Service operations with no one in the cab, and plans to launch driverless long-haul service between Dallas and Houston by the end of 2026. Kodiak has partnered with many of the biggest names in freight, including Bosch for scaled hardware production, AWS, and leading customers including Atlas Energy Solutions, IKEA, Bridgestone, Werner Enterprises, C.R. England, Roehl Transport, and General Dynamics Land Systems. We're seeking a Lead Harness Engineer/Manager to lead harness architecture and strategy for our autonomous vehicle platform. This is a hands on role who owns the technical direction for harness design across the full vehicle system — high speed, low voltage, and high power — and sets the standards, processes, and supplier relationships that the harness engineering function runs on. You'll drive cross-functional alignment with electrical, mechanical, integration, and manufacturing teams, and mentor engineers building toward those standards. In this role, you will: Own the technical strategy and architecture for wire harness and subassembly design across the vehicle platform, balancing high speed, low voltage, and high power requirements Set and enforce design standards, review processes, and DFM/DFA practices for harness schematics, diagrams, and system interconnect diagrams Drive make/buy and supplier strategy for harness manufacturing; own key external manufacturing partner relationships and scale-up readiness Lead trade studies on harness architecture (topology, routing, connector strategy, EMI/signal integrity tradeoffs) with system-level cost, weight, and reliability impact Own full program lifecycle governance: technical reviews, DVP&R, outsourced cable manufacturing, qualification testing, and release Lead or oversee root cause analysis on complex/escalated electrical system issues; drive corrective and preventive action across teams Define and champion automated harness validation tooling and test strategy Mentor and provide technical leadership to harness and electrical engineers and directly manage a harness engineering team Represent harness engineering in cross-functional and executive-level design reviews with Software, Mechanical, Manufacturing, Systems, and external suppliers What you'll bring: BS or MS in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent experience 10+ years of hardware development experience, including automotive, aerospace, or related safety-critical industries, with a track record of technical leadership Deep expertise in electrical harness design, architecture, and manufacturing at the system level Proven experience setting design/quality standards and mentoring or leading engineers or teams Strong troubleshooting skillset with hands-on root cause analysis experience Expert familiarity with IPC quality standards (IPC/WHMA-A-620, etc.) and their application to program-level quality processes Experience with implementation and on-vehicle debugging of low-level hardware buses (CAN, Ethernet, LIN) Demonstrated ability to lead supplier negotiations and manage external manufacturing partnerships Hands-on. Comfortable in the shop debugging a subsystem and in the room driving architecture decisions Excellent communicator — experience writing and reviewing clear, concise technical documentation and presenting to leadership Passion for autonomous vehicles and their potential impact What we offer: Competitive compensation package including equity and annual bonuses Excellent Medical, Dental, and Vision plans through Kaiser Permanente, Cigna, and MetLife (including a medical plan with infertility benefits) MetLife Legal Services, Identity & Fraud Protection, Hospital Indemnity Insurance, Accident Insurance, & Critical Illness Insurance Flexible PTO, 10 paid holidays, and generous parental leave policies Our office is centrally located in Mountain View, CA Office perks: dog-friendly, free catered lunch, a fully stocked kitchen, and free EV charging Long Term Disability, Short Term Disability, Life Insurance Wellbeing Benefits - Headspace through Cigna, Calm through Kaiser, One Medical, Gympass, Spring Health through Cigna, Rula (mental health navigation) Fidelity 401(k) Commuter, FSA, Dependent Care FSA, HSA Various incentive programs (referral bonuses, patent bonuses, etc.) The pay range listed below reflects the base salary in our SF/Silicon Valley location, across several internal levels. Actual starting pay will be based on job-related factors including: work location, experience, relevant training, education, skill level and performance during interview. Total compensation at Kodiak includes base pay, equity, bonus and a competitive benefits package California Pay Range $170,000 — $235,000 USD At Kodiak, we strive to build a diverse community working towards our common company goals in a safe and collaborative environment where harassment of any kind is strictly prohibited. Kodiak is committed to equal opportunity employment regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, or veteran status, or any other basis protected by applicable law. In alignment with its business operations, Kodiak adheres to all relevant statutes, regulations, and administrative prerequisites. Accordingly, roles that carry more sensitive requirements may be limited to candidates that can satisfy additional scrutiny and eligibility for such positions may hinge on verification of a candidate’s residence, U.S. person status, and/or citizenship status. Should the position require, and Kodiak determines that a candidate’s residence, U.S. person status, and/or citizenship status necessitate an export license, bar the candidate from the position, or otherwise fall under national security-related restrictions, Kodiak will consider the candidate for alternative positions unaffected by such restrictions, under terms and conditions set forth at Kodiak’s sole discretion, or, as an alternative, opt not to proceed with the candidate’s application. If applicable, Kodiak may provide visa sponsorship for eligible candidates. We use a third-party AI tool (Endorsed) to assist in the initial screening of applications. As part of the evaluation process, we provide Endorsed with job requirements and candidate-submitted applications. Final hiring decisions are made by our human recruitment team, and no automated system makes the ultimate decision regarding hiring. Certain features of the platform may qualify it as an Automated Employment Decision Tool (AEDT) under applicable regulations. We began using Endorsed on January 1, 2026. You can review the independent bias audit report covering our use of Endorsed [here]( endorsed.com ). By submitting your application, you acknowledge that your application may be processed by AI systems as part of the screening and selection process. If you have any questions or would like to request a separate review of your application, please contact careers@kodiak.ai with "Separate Review Request" in the email subject line.

Requirements

Must-haves

Own the technical strategy and architecture for wire harness and subassembly design across the vehicle platform, balancing high speed, low voltage, and high power requirements
Set and enforce design standards, review processes, and DFM/DFA practices for harness schematics, diagrams, and system interconnect diagrams
Drive make/buy and supplier strategy for harness manufacturing; own key external manufacturing partner relationships and scale-up readiness
Lead trade studies on harness architecture (topology, routing, connector strategy, EMI/signal integrity tradeoffs) with system-level cost, weight, and reliability impact
Own full program lifecycle governance: technical reviews, DVP&R, outsourced cable manufacturing, qualification testing, and release
Lead or oversee root cause analysis on complex/escalated electrical system issues; drive corrective and preventive action across teams
Define and champion automated harness validation tooling and test strategy
Mentor and provide technical leadership to harness and electrical engineers and directly manage a harness engineering team
Represent harness engineering in cross-functional and executive-level design reviews with Software, Mechanical, Manufacturing, Systems, and external suppliers
BS or MS in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent experience
10+ years of hardware development experience, including automotive, aerospace, or related safety-critical industries, with a track record of technical leadership
Deep expertise in electrical harness design, architecture, and manufacturing at the system level
Proven experience setting design/quality standards and mentoring or leading engineers or teams
Strong troubleshooting skillset with hands-on root cause analysis experience
Expert familiarity with IPC quality standards (IPC/WHMA-A-620, etc.) and their application to program-level quality processes
Experience with implementation and on-vehicle debugging of low-level hardware buses (CAN, Ethernet, LIN)
Demonstrated ability to lead supplier negotiations and manage external manufacturing partnerships
Hands-on. Comfortable in the shop debugging a subsystem and in the room driving architecture decisions
Excellent communicator — experience writing and reviewing clear, concise technical documentation and presenting to leadership
Passion for autonomous vehicles and their potential impact

Nice-to-haves

None flagged.

Application prep

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Keywords to mirror

aiaws

Platform: greenhouse
Effort: quick

Benefits

Benefits detected in the listing.

Dental

Vision

401(K)

Pto

Parental Leave