Senior Systems Engineer – Electrical & Embedded Systems

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 a Senior Systems Engineer to join us and support the development, integration, and verification of electrical and embedded systems as we bring the Kodiak Autonomy System to market. This role focuses on system and subsystem behavior across electrical hardware, embedded software, communications, and power, with opportunities to grow into broader system architecture ownership over time. The emphasis is on hands-on execution, fault-aware design, and real-world validation on vehicle platforms operating across approved operational design domains.  The purpose of this role is to ensure that electrical subsystems and embedded behavior are robust, fault-aware, and verifiable, while providing a growth path toward broader system architecture responsibility as the autonomy platform scales.

In this role, you will:

• Support and contribute to system and subsystem-level design associated with applying the Kodiak Autonomy System to multiple truck platforms and operating environments
  
• Own and drive execution of electrical and embedded subsystems, including:
  • Power distribution and protection
  • Electrical fault detection, recovery, and safe-state behavior
    
  • Hardware–software interaction and supervisory mechanisms
    
• Gather stakeholder needs and translate them into clear, testable system and electrical requirements
• Develop and assess subsystem-level solutions, evaluating power draw and power integrity, network communications (CAN, LIN, Ethernet), and fault behavior and degraded modes
• Assess performance and robustness through analysis, design review, and hands-on validation
• Support system architecture efforts by providing subsystem trade studies, design reviews and technical input, and Verification and validation evidence
• Guide and support hardware and software teams in generating the work products needed to mature subsystem designs, including electrical schematics and board designs, embedded firmware behavior, and verification and validation artifacts
  
• Drive subsystem readiness to support truck builds, integration, and test
• Develop and maintain technical documentation, including subsystem diagrams and interface definitions and fault and dependency mappings
• Interface and communicate effectively with Hardware, Software, Infrastructure, Product, Systems, and Safety teams
• Support bench testing, vehicle integration, and test-site activities as needed
• Up to 10% travel to test sites may be required

What you’ll bring:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience in a high-technology environment
• Minimum 5 years' experience working at the system and subsystem level for autonomous, automotive, industrial, or safety-critical systems
  
• Strong experience with electrical and embedded system analysis, including Power distribution and protection, Network communications and physical-layer behavior (CAN, LIN, Ethernet), and Hardware–software interaction and timing
  
• Experience designing for and reasoning about fault management, including Watchdogs and supervisory mechanisms, and Electrical fault detection and recovery 
  
• Familiarity with safety-aware system design concepts, safety design patterns, and fault containment strategies
  
• Experience working in the context of safety standards such as ISO 26262 or similar
  
• Experience with system and subsystem verification and validation, including: Bench-level testing and Hardware-in-the-loop (HiL) or similar environments
  
• Ability to read, understand, and critique Electrical schematics and board designs (e.g., Altium) and Embedded C/C++ code related to hardware behavior and fault handling
  
• Working knowledge of configuration management and traceability from requirements to implementation and test
• Bonus Points: experience using Python for validation, test automation, or data analysis; experience with power distribution systems (12V / 24V / 48V domains); Familiarity with BASE-T, BASE-T1, GMSL2; Knowledge of higher-layer networking concepts (UDP/TCP, Linux networking); Experience with DFMEA or similar failure analysis methods; Hands-on experience with vehicle integration, harnessing, or electrical bring-up

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

California Pay Range

$155,000

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$200,000 USD

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 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.