Backend API Software Engineer

Kodiak Robotics, Inc. was founded in 2018 and has become the trusted world leader in autonomous ground transportation committed to a safer and more efficient future for all. The company is developing an industry-leading artificial intelligence (AI) powered technology stack purpose-built for driverless military and long-haul trucking applications. Kodiak’s unique modular hardware approach integrates sensors into a streamlined sensor-pod structure that optimizes for perception, scalability, and maintainability. The company autonomously delivers freight daily for its commercial customers across the Sun Belt states and for Atlas Energy in the Permian Basin. Kodiak also leverages its commercial self-driving software to develop, test and deploy autonomous capabilities for the U.S. Department of Defense.

We are looking for an Engineering Specialist with skills and expertise in designing and developing secure, scalable, and reliable REST APIs for our customers and business partners. The person for this role must understand the fundamentals of building and hosting APIs in AWS as well as several associated enterprise features such as secure authentication, performance optimization and observability, failover & redundancy, and monitoring for and alerting about issues. This role will involve designing, implementing, testing, and deploying APIs for a variety of use cases and systems. This role will work collaboratively across multiple teams within and outside of Kodiak.

In this role, you will:

• Optimize and enhance existing APIs
• Research and design new APIs for new use cases
• Implement APIs and backend logic using Python, JavaScript/TypeScript, C++
• Utilize a variety of AWS technologies such as API Gateway, AWS Lambda, Amazon AppSync, DynamoDB, and Terraform
• Interact with a variety of data sources including documents, databases, raw and/or processed sensor data, and other APIs
• Collaborate with Software Engineering, Software Quality, Commercial and Operations teams to understand end user requirements.

Qualifications:

• Strong technical background as evidenced by BS, MS, or equivalent experience, in Computer Science or a related engineering discipline
• 5+ years of experience building backend services with significant scale and performance
• Experience in designing and implementing external facing APIs
• Experience with AWS technologies and services
• Experience with service performance measurement, observability, and tuning
• Experience with JavaScript or TypeScript; bonus for C++
• Great communicator; you must be capable of writing clear, concise, and detailed documentation
• Passion; you must be passionate about autonomous vehicles and their potential impact on humanity.

What we can offer:

• Competitive compensation package including equity and biannual bonuses
• Excellent Medical, Dental, and Vision plans through Kaiser Permanente, Anthem, and Guardian (including a medical plan with infertility benefits)
• Flexible PTO and generous parental leave policies
• 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, One Medical, Gympass, Spring Health
• Fidelity 401(k)
• Commuter, FSA, Dependent Care FSA, HSA
• Various incentive programs (referral bonuses, patent bonuses, etc.)

The annual salary range for this full-time position is $160,000-$220,000 + bonus + equity + benefits. Actual salary ranges will be based on job-related factors, including exact work location, experience, relevant training and education, and skill level. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for the role location or, if the role can be performed remote, the specific salary range for your preferred location, during the hiring process. Please note that the compensation details listed above are base salary only and do not include bonus, equity, or benefits.

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 U.S. national security statutes, regulations, and administrative prerequisites. These statutes may impose limitations on Kodiak's capacity to engage specific individuals in particular roles based on various national security-related criteria. Kodiak will provide sponsorship for eligible candidate's. Consequently, the eligibility for this position may hinge on Kodiak's verification of a candidate's residence, U.S. person status, and/or citizenship status. In accordance with these statutes , Kodiak may find it necessary to secure a U.S. government export license before disseminating its technologies to specific individuals. Should Kodiak determine that a candidate's residence, U.S. person status, and/or citizenship status necessitate a license, prohibit the candidate from assuming this position, or otherwise fall under national security-related restrictions, Kodiak explicitly retains the right to either assess the candidate for an alternative position 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.