Staff Software Engineer, Controls Jobs

Kodiak Robotics

Location:
United States, Mountain View

Category:
IT - Software Development

Contract Type:
Not provided

Salary:

190000.00 - 230000.00 USD / Year

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Job Description:

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 experienced Controls Software Engineer who is passionate about safety-critical systems to join our Motion Planning & Controls team.

Job Responsibility:

Be responsible for designing and implementing our feedback, control, and actuation strategies using both established & novel techniques
Architect, develop, and test reliable, redundant, and safety-critical software that controls fully-loaded trucks driving on the road
Characterize the vehicle platform (e.g., steering, braking, throttle/engine management, dynamics) to develop models that can be used for precise motion planning, simulation, and controls
Work on fundamental problems in redundant actuation, degraded operation, and fail-safe control
Collaborate with other teams at Kodiak (e.g. hardware, motion planning, and systems engineering) to deliver a robust vehicle control architecture (for example: requirement specifications, test plans, test documentation, and implemented testing at all levels of integration)

Requirements:

A strong background in robotics, controls, optimization, and mathematics (MS, PhD, or equivalent experience)
Developed, tested, and tuned controllers for mobile autonomous robots, ideally trucks, cars, or flying vehicles
Performed system identification, modeling, simulation, or other characterization for systems with complex dynamics
A strong theoretical foundation paired with practical experience in controls, system modeling, and/or redundant architectures
A focus on end-to-end vehicle safety
Software development experience writing production-level C or C++

Nice to have:

Experience with software design and implementation in safety-critical domains (e.g. automotive, aerospace, medical, etc)
Written low-level drivers for software/hardware interfacing using protocols such as CAN or ethernet
Written efficient code running on resource-constrained embedded systems with a real-time operating system
Experience with formal verification methods, writing requirements, and systems engineering processes
Comfortable with Python, Matlab/Simulink, or other simulation/analysis tools used in feedback system design

What we offer:

Competitive compensation package including equity and biannual bonuses
Excellent Medical, Dental, and Vision plans through Kaiser Permanente, Anthem, and Guardian (including a medical plan with infertility benefits)
Flexible PTO and generous parental leave policies
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, One Medical, Gympass, Spring Health
Fidelity 401(k)
Commuter, FSA, Dependent Care FSA, HSA
Various incentive programs (referral bonuses, patent bonuses, etc.)

Additional Information:

Job Posted:
December 09, 2025

Employment Type:

Fulltime

Work Type:

On-site work

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Staff Software Engineer, Controls