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 looking for a Software Engineer focused on onboard vehicle systems to take a key role in designing and implementing our core vehicle integrations. You'll work across domains to bring together embedded devices, AI, and compute hardware into a highly reliable system, and you'll test and deploy autonomous trucks for real customers. In this role, you will: Own the integration between autonomy hardware and vehicle platforms for new products Work across domains to test vehicle actuation systems, be the first to make a new vehicle move Collaborate with experts across the company to build the Kodiak real-time operating system that powers our trucks Design and implement core infrastructure and libraries in modern C++ Build highly reliable compute and network systems Gather metrics to analyze and optimize the performance of Kodiak's autonomous systems Qualifications: BS or MS in Computer Science or a related field, or equivalent experience 5+ years building software connected to hardware Proficiency in modern C++ Experience with automotive communication protocols such as CAN Comfort developing and debugging complex software on Linux Nice to have: Knowledge of control systems and how to evaluate them for safety and performance Experience with Bazel on large, cross-platform projects Experience building on bare-metal or RTOS platforms Familiarity with functional safety standards such as ISO 26262 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 $155,000 — $215,000 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 integration between autonomy hardware and vehicle platforms for new products
Work across domains to test vehicle actuation systems, be the first to make a new vehicle move
Collaborate with experts across the company to build the Kodiak real-time operating system that powers our trucks
Design and implement core infrastructure and libraries in modern C++
Build highly reliable compute and network systems
Gather metrics to analyze and optimize the performance of Kodiak's autonomous systems
BS or MS in Computer Science or a related field, or equivalent experience
5+ years building software connected to hardware
Proficiency in modern C++
Experience with automotive communication protocols such as CAN
Comfort developing and debugging complex software on Linux

Nice-to-haves

Knowledge of control systems and how to evaluate them for safety and performance
Experience with Bazel on large, cross-platform projects
Experience building on bare-metal or RTOS platforms
Familiarity with functional safety standards such as ISO 26262

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