Kodiak Robotics, Inc. was founded in 2018 and has become a leader in autonomous ground transportation committed to a safer and more efficient future for all. The company has developed an artificial intelligence (AI) powered technology stack purpose-built for commercial trucking and the public sector. The company delivers freight daily for its customers across the southern United States using its autonomous technology. In 2024, Kodiak became the first known company to publicly announce delivering a driverless semi-truck to a customer. Kodiak is also leveraging its commercial self-driving software to develop, test and deploy autonomous capabilities for the U.S. Department of Defense.
We are looking for an Embedded Software Engineer with a background in embedded systems who understands how to ship mission critical software. The role will collaborate across hardware and software teams to design the low level devices that interface with our truck systems, ensure reliable operations of large robots, and provide cutting edge functionality to real customers. The role will bring the best of modern software engineering to ensure a high level of safety and performance.
In this role, you will:
- Collaborate with hardware EE on design and test of high reliable hardware systems
- Collaborate with software engineering on architecture, optimizations and reviews
- Contribute to hardware specifications to ensure test coverage and fault detection
- Participate in hands-on hardware bring-up in the engineering lab using analyzers and probes
- Debug common truck functions on the vehicles (Driver interfaces, Braking, Steering)
- Develop software for embedded platforms (x86, ARM) in C/C++
- Develop software for sensors. Evaluation and production (Camera, Radar, Lidar, IMU)
- Develop software for network devices, time synchronization experience a plus
What you’ll bring:
- Strong technical background. BS or MS, or equivalent experience in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or Computer Engineering
- 8+ years of software development experience, ideally within the automotive, aerospace or a related industry
- Extensive programming experience in C++
- Deep knowledge of embedded programming platforms
- Good understanding of networking fundamentals
- Experience with implementation and on-vehicle debugging of low level hardware buses such as I2C, CAN, SPI, and UART
- Experience with high speed hardware communication such as PCIe and Automotive Ethernet
- Hands on. You are just as comfortable getting your hands dirty analyzing a subsystem in the shop as when using a keyboard.
- Great communicator. You have experience writing clear, concise, and detailed documentation
- Passion. You are passionate about autonomous vehicles and their potential impact on humanity
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
- Strong technical background in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or Computer Engineering
- 8+ years of software development experience in automotive or aerospace
- Extensive programming experience in C++
- Deep knowledge of embedded programming platforms
- Good understanding of networking fundamentals
- Experience with low-level hardware buses such as I2C, CAN, SPI, and UART
- Experience with high speed hardware communication such as PCIe and Automotive Ethernet
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.
