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 an Embedded Software Manager to join our team. In this role, you will use your expertise to lead a small team of embedded engineers developing safety-critical firmware for Kodiak's autonomous trucks. You will stay hands-on in design and code review while owning the team's delivery, from board bring-up through production end-of-line testing.
What you'll do:- Manage and mentor a team of 3 embedded engineers, setting priorities and growing the team's technical depth
- Own architecture and delivery of real-time firmware running on an RTOS in safety-critical systems
- Drive development in line with ISO 26262, including safety requirements, reviews and verification evidence
- Work with hardware and manufacturing teams on PCBA bring-up, debug and design for test
- Develop and maintain end-of-line test software and fixtures so every unit is verified before it ships
- Stay close to the code through design reviews, debugging, and writing code where it helps
- Experience leading or tech-leading embedded teams, with a clear path into people management
- Strong embedded C/C++ on an RTOS (FreeRTOS, Zephyr, QNX, AUTOSAR or similar)
- Hands-on experience with safety-critical development and ISO 26262
- PCBA bring-up and debug experience, and experience with production or end-of-line test
- CAN bus and J1939
- Heavy truck or autonomous vehicle experience
- MISRA C
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
Skills Required
- Experience leading or tech-leading embedded engineering teams, with a path into people management
- Strong embedded C and C++ experience
- Experience developing on an RTOS such as FreeRTOS, Zephyr, QNX, AUTOSAR, or similar
- Hands-on experience with safety-critical development and ISO 26262
- PCBA bring-up and debugging experience
- Experience with production or end-of-line testing
- CAN bus and J1939 experience
- Heavy truck or autonomous vehicle experience
- MISRA C experience
Kodiak Robotics Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Kodiak Robotics and has not been reviewed or approved by Kodiak Robotics.
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Fair & Transparent Compensation — Pay is considered market-competitive for core engineering roles, with role postings indicating strong senior bands and offers aligned to autonomy peers. Salary ranges visible on listings reinforce competitiveness for experienced technical hires.
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Equity Value & Accessibility — Equity grants are commonly included with standard multi‑year vesting, and listings frequently note salary plus bonus and equity as part of offers. This makes ownership a regular component of total rewards for technical hires.
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Healthcare Strength — Health coverage includes medical, dental, and vision alongside life and short‑/long‑term disability, with FSA/HSA options available. Wellness partners such as mental‑health and primary‑care services are highlighted alongside core plans.
Kodiak Robotics Insights
What We Do
Kodiak Robotics is an autonomous technology company redefining the long-haul trucking industry. We believe self-driving trucks will be the first economically viable application of autonomous vehicle technology. We founded Kodiak in the spring of 2018 to make that belief a reality. Safety is our top priority. We are taking a safe and responsible approach to developing and testing our technology. We are proud to work with some of the best in the business. We’ve built a world class team of technologists from leading autonomous driving programs who know the industry inside and out. Our combined experience and commitment to the vision will allow us to put self-driving technology on the road in the safest and most effective way.
