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.
Join Kodiak as a Planning Intern! As an intern on our Mission Planning team, you will work on developing core mission, routing, and fault management algorithms that drive our autonomous trucks. Intern projects may include applying commands from human operations specialists to our fleet of self-driving trucks, improving routing through construction zones, and implementing safety-critical fault management policies. This role offers a hands-on opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge AV technology while gaining valuable experience in real-world autonomous driving scenarios.
In this role, you will:
- Receive mentorship from top-level robotics engineers.
- Advance a state-of-the-art autonomous trucking platform.
- Deploy code on autonomous trucks operating in the real world. Gain hands-on experience with industry-standard tools and methodologies used in robotics and autonomous vehicles.
- Strengthen your coding skills by working with a production-level codebase, with a focus on modern C++.
- Work in a collaborative and innovative work environment.
- Design and implement solutions to complex robotics problems.
- Have potential opportunities for full-time roles.
What you’ll bring:
- Field(s) of study: Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Machine Learning, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or other related fields.
- Are currently pursuing a degree at an accredited university.
- Juniors, Seniors, or graduate students.
- Strong C++ programming skills.
- Strong kinematics, linear algebra and calculus.
- Ability to solve basic graph search problems.
- Enthusiasm to solve problems together with other teams, including our offboard, operations, and systems teams.
- Start Date: January 2027
- Our internship program is 12-16 weeks; the end date is flexible based on individual needs.
- Location: Mountain View, CA.
- Housing: Interns are responsible for housing.
What we offer:
- A fast-paced environment where we work with talented, committed, and supportive teammates.
- Competitive pay.
- Excellent medical, dental, and vision benefits.
- A beautiful facility in Mountain View.
- We love our dogs, so we are a dog-friendly office!
- Free catered lunch.
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
- Currently pursuing a degree at an accredited university
- Studying Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Machine Learning, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field
- Junior, senior, or graduate student
- Strong C++ programming skills
- Strong knowledge of kinematics, linear algebra, and calculus
- Ability to solve basic graph search problems
- Ability to collaborate with offboard, operations, and systems teams
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.
