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 looking for a Technical Program Manager to join us and advance the development of all our product lines (Industrial, Over the Road and Defense). Kodiak is a highly collaborative organization based in Mountain View, CA. This role will require presence in our Mountain View office to collaborate, with some travel expected. In this role, you will: Create technical execution roadmaps across engineering teams to tie features and their dependencies to time, and track dependencies across teams. Manage and optimize the development and integration efforts specifically for our current hardware platform, ensuring its stability and performance as we scale. Manage the progress of the build to meet Program objectives and goals, defining schedules, milestones, and resource allocation for successful execution. Communicate schedules, status, and priorities to all levels of the organization. Work closely with the Hardware, Software, systems, and operations teams to ensure cross functional deliverables are delivered on time and on quality Prioritize and manage issues, risks, and dependencies and resolve any barriers to moving programs forward. Support and guide decision making by clearly communicating risks and tradeoffs to stakeholders. Develop tools and processes to improve manufacturing productivity. Maintain a strong technical understanding of our autonomous vehicle platforms, hardware lifecycle, safety clearance process, and test operations. Qualifications: 5+ years of experience of Technical Program Management experience Bachelors in Mechanical Engineering, Engineering, or a similar technical field. Experience managing fast paced initiatives, often with multiple stakeholders, complex schedules, and priority calls that need to be made. Strong bias for action Experience in the automotive or trucking industry with bonus points for Hardware Programs on autonomous vehicles. Experience in a startup environment, managing hardware projects towards manufacturing at scale. Expertise in project management tools such as Linear, JIRA, Smartsheet or LucidChart. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. You know how to facilitate tradeoffs between engineering and product requirements, but always maintain high safety standards. Passion. You are passionate about autonomous vehicles and their potential impact on humanity. 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 — $190,000 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

Kodiak is a highly collaborative organization based in Mountain View, CA. This role will require presence in our Mountain View office to collaborate, with some travel expected.
Create technical execution roadmaps across engineering teams to tie features and their dependencies to time, and track dependencies across teams.
Manage and optimize the development and integration efforts specifically for our current hardware platform, ensuring its stability and performance as we scale.
Work closely with the Hardware, Software, systems, and operations teams to ensure cross functional deliverables are delivered on time and on quality
Prioritize and manage issues, risks, and dependencies and resolve any barriers to moving programs forward.
Support and guide decision making by clearly communicating risks and tradeoffs to stakeholders.
Develop tools and processes to improve manufacturing productivity.
Maintain a strong technical understanding of our autonomous vehicle platforms, hardware lifecycle, safety clearance process, and test operations.
5+ years of experience of Technical Program Management experience
Bachelors in Mechanical Engineering, Engineering, or a similar technical field.
Experience managing fast paced initiatives, often with multiple stakeholders, complex schedules, and priority calls that need to be made.
Strong bias for action
Experience in a startup environment, managing hardware projects towards manufacturing at scale.
Expertise in project management tools such as Linear, JIRA, Smartsheet or LucidChart.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. You know how to facilitate tradeoffs between engineering and product requirements, but always maintain high safety standards.
Passion. You are passionate about autonomous vehicles and their potential impact on humanity.

Nice-to-haves

Experience in the automotive or trucking industry with bonus points for Hardware Programs on autonomous vehicles.

Application prep

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

Keywords to mirror

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Platform: greenhouse
Effort: quick