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 are seeking a sharp, analytical, and hands-on Product Strategy & Operations Associate to join our team in Mountain View, CA. This role sits at the intersection of our Product, Engineering, and Operations teams. You'll bring structured problem-solving and an operations mindset to the questions that shape how autonomous trucks get built, deployed, and scaled, and you'll do it embedded with the people building the product. If you've been working in strategy or operations and want to get closer to product development and a Product & Eng-led organization, this is that move. This role is based full-time in our Mountain View office. In this role, you will: Strategic Problem Solving: Scope ambiguous, cross-functional problems into clear analyses and recommendations, then drive them through to decisions with Product, Engineering, and Operations leadership. Process Design and Scalability: Partner closely with Program, Engineering, and Ops to design, document, and stand up processes that support operational scalability for our autonomous vehicle technology. Feedback Loop Management: Own the feedback loop between Field Ops and Product & Engineering, translating operational needs into prioritized, actionable product and engineering requirements. Feature Deployment & Validation: Work with cross-functional teams to rapidly test, validate, and deploy new product features in an operationally-intensive environment. Performance Monitoring: Define operational KPIs, build the analyses that track product performance in the field, and communicate insights and risks to stakeholders. Stakeholder Communication: Provide clear, data-driven updates on product-related operational progress, risks, and mitigation plans to leadership and cross-functional teams. Operational Excellence: Drive attention to detail and timeliness in product deployment and operational workflows. Adaptability: Get gritty and operate in spaces that are not yet well defined and are subject to rapid and unexpected changes. What you'll bring: At least 2 year of post-undergraduate experience in strategy consulting, business operations, or a similar analytical role, e.g., Business Analyst (McKinsey), Associate (BCG), or Associate Consultant (Bain), or an equivalent Strategy & Operations / BizOps role at a technology company. A degree in Industrial Engineering, Operations Research, or a related quantitative field, or equivalent demonstrated rigor in systems thinking and process optimization. Strong structured problem-solving skills: you can break down an ambiguous question, build the analysis, and land a recommendation. Highly analytical with a proven ability to use data to drive process improvements and product decisions; comfort working in tools like SQL, Excel/Sheets, or Kibana/Elastic is a plus. Exceptional attention to detail and a track record of driving timely execution in complex environments. Outstanding people and communication skills, with demonstrated experience working across diverse teams (e.g., Engineering, Field Operations, Product) and presenting to senior stakeholders. A genuine interest in product development and a desire to work alongside Product and Engineering rather than advise from the outside. Adeptness in leveraging generative AI tools to streamline workflows and enhance clarity and quality in stakeholder communication. Must be willing to work full-time in the Mountain View, CA office, and travel up to 25% of the time to customer and deployment locations. Additional experience in the following areas is also a plus: Autonomy, mobility, supply chain, logistics, or hardware/manufacturing operations Consulting or internship work on product, technology, or operations engagements Working in both a startup and a larger company environment 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 Office perks: free catered lunch, a fully stocked kitchen 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 $125,000 — $150,000 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

Strategic Problem Solving: Scope ambiguous, cross-functional problems into clear analyses and recommendations, then drive them through to decisions with Product, Engineering, and Operations leadership.
Process Design and Scalability: Partner closely with Program, Engineering, and Ops to design, document, and stand up processes that support operational scalability for our autonomous vehicle technology.
Feedback Loop Management: Own the feedback loop between Field Ops and Product & Engineering, translating operational needs into prioritized, actionable product and engineering requirements.
Feature Deployment & Validation: Work with cross-functional teams to rapidly test, validate, and deploy new product features in an operationally-intensive environment.
Performance Monitoring: Define operational KPIs, build the analyses that track product performance in the field, and communicate insights and risks to stakeholders.
Stakeholder Communication: Provide clear, data-driven updates on product-related operational progress, risks, and mitigation plans to leadership and cross-functional teams.
Operational Excellence: Drive attention to detail and timeliness in product deployment and operational workflows.
Adaptability: Get gritty and operate in spaces that are not yet well defined and are subject to rapid and unexpected changes.
A degree in Industrial Engineering, Operations Research, or a related quantitative field, or equivalent demonstrated rigor in systems thinking and process optimization.
Strong structured problem-solving skills: you can break down an ambiguous question, build the analysis, and land a recommendation.
Exceptional attention to detail and a track record of driving timely execution in complex environments.
Outstanding people and communication skills, with demonstrated experience working across diverse teams (e.g., Engineering, Field Operations, Product) and presenting to senior stakeholders.
A genuine interest in product development and a desire to work alongside Product and Engineering rather than advise from the outside.
Adeptness in leveraging generative AI tools to streamline workflows and enhance clarity and quality in stakeholder communication.
Must be willing to work full-time in the Mountain View, CA office, and travel up to 25% of the time to customer and deployment locations.
Autonomy, mobility, supply chain, logistics, or hardware/manufacturing operations
Consulting or internship work on product, technology, or operations engagements
Working in both a startup and a larger company environment

Nice-to-haves

Highly analytical with a proven ability to use data to drive process improvements and product decisions; comfort working in tools like SQL, Excel/Sheets, or Kibana/Elastic is a plus.
Additional experience in the following areas is also a plus:

Application prep

Use the role’s language and application details while tailoring your materials.

Keywords to mirror

aiawssql

Platform: greenhouse
Effort: quick

Benefits

Benefits detected in the listing.

Dental

Vision

401(K)

Pto

Parental Leave