Software Engineer, Behavior & Motion Planning

<div class="content-intro"><p>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.</p></div><p class="p1"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">We are looking for an experienced Software Engineer to join our Planning team and take a key role in improving the Kodiak Driver’s ability to safely and gracefully handle challenging road conditions.</span></p> <p class="p2"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>In this role, you will:</strong></span></p> <ul> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Design and implement new approaches to help our trucks plan through challenging situations.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Translate desired driving behaviors into algorithms, code, and cost functions that make the Kodiak Driver a safe, smooth, and polite road participant</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Predict the behavior of other actors in a way that's both accurate and improves driving performance</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Improve the end-to-end latency of the motion planning and prediction algorithms</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Build tools that enable us to leverage real-world logs to improve our algorithms</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Work closely with other teams to establish interfaces and requirements</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Invent cross-functional solutions to cutting-edge problems in autonomous-driving</span></li> </ul> <p class="p2"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>What you’ll bring:</strong></span></p> <ul> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">A strong background in robotics, planning, optimization, and mathematics (MS, PhD, or equivalent experience)</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">2+ years of software development experience writing production-level C++</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">High standards for software quality and rigor, and a testing-oriented mentality</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Good communication skills and a collaborative bent</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Proven ability to iterate quickly and work hands-on</span></li> </ul> <h3><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Bonus points if you have:</span></h3> <ul> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Written software that has run on real robots</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Knowledge of modern C++ (c++14 and newer) and version control systems (e.g., git)</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">An understanding of both classic and state-of-the-art approaches to motion planning, trajectory optimization, optimal control, system modeling, etc.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">A desire to collaborate with other teams outside of planning</span></li> </ul> <p class="p2"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>What we offer:</strong></span></p> <ul> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Competitive compensation package including equity and annual bonuses</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Excellent Medical, Dental, and Vision plans through Kaiser Permanente, Cigna, and&nbsp; MetLife (including a medical plan with infertility benefits)</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">MetLife Legal Services, Identity &amp; Fraud Protection, Hospital Indemnity Insurance, Accident Insurance, &amp; Critical Illness Insurance</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Flexible PTO, 10 paid holidays, and generous parental leave policies</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Our office is centrally located in Mountain View, CA</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Office perks: dog-friendly, free catered lunch, a fully stocked kitchen, and free EV charging</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Long Term Disability, Short Term Disability, Life Insurance</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Wellbeing Benefits - Headspace through Cigna, Calm through Kaiser, One Medical, Gympass, Spring Health through Cigna, Rula (mental health navigation)&nbsp;</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fidelity 401(k)</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Commuter, FSA, Dependent Care FSA, HSA</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Various incentive programs (referral bonuses, patent bonuses, etc.)</span></li> </ul><div class="content-pay-transparency"><div class="pay-input"><div class="description"><p>The pay range listed below reflects the base salary&nbsp;<strong data-stringify-type="bold">in our SF/Silicon Valley location,&nbsp;</strong>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</p></div><div class="title">California Pay Range</div><div class="pay-range"><span>$165,000</span><span class="divider">&mdash;</span><span>$185,000 USD</span></div></div></div><div class="content-conclusion"><div>&nbsp;</div> <div>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.</div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div>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.</div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div><em>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](</em><em><a href="https://endorsed.com/local-law-144" target="_blank" data-sk="tooltip_parent">https://endorsed.com/local-law-144</a></em><em>). 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 </em><em><a href="mailto:careers@kodiak.ai" target="_blank" data-sk="tooltip_parent">careers@kodiak.ai</a></em><em> with "Separate Review Request" in the email subject line.</em></div> <p>&nbsp;</p></div>