Software Quality Simulation Specialist

Mountain View, CA - USA

Monthly Salary: Not Disclosed

Posted on: 9 hours ago

Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

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 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 seeking a hands-on Simulation Operations Specialist to join the Software Quality this role you will drive improvements across large-scale simulation sets enhance simulation workflows and tools and help advance safe and reliable autonomous trucking technology.

In this role you will:

Know the robot better than almost anyone else
Develop test plans and create simulations to test the behavior of our autonomous trucks
Actively run daily simulation operations including scenario execution triage and reporting.
Improve efficiency in test planning scenario execution and results tracking across large-scale simulation suites.
Partner with engineering teams to ensure simulation scenarios accurately reflect real-world conditions.
Work closely with systems engineers on structured test design and execution ensuring comprehensive coverage of safety-critical and edge-case scenarios.
Share actionable insights from simulation results with autonomy software engineers to accelerate software development and validation.
Collaborate with infrastructure and tools teams to enhance automation debugging and scaling of simulations.

What youll bring:

2 years of experience in autonomous vehicle or robotics industry
Bachelors degree in Engineering Computer Science or related field.
2 years of experience in simulation QA or test automation ideally in robotics or autonomous systems.
1-2 years experience in python or C programming.
Hands-on experience with simulation workflows or large-scale simulation testing environments.
Strong problem-solving skills and ability to dive into technical details.
Passion for autonomous technology and improving safety and efficiency through simulation.
Familiarity with structured test planning and execution; experience working with systems engineers preferred.
Experience with Applied Intuition tools is a plus.
Great communicator with experience writing clear concise and detailed communication
Love of robots - You love to be in around or near robots

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 salaryin our SF/Silicon Valley locationacross 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

$135000 - $135000 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 candidates residence U.S. person status and/or citizenship status. Should the position require and Kodiak determines that a candidates 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 Kodiaks sole discretion or as an alternative opt not to proceed with the candidates application. If applicable Kodiak may provide visa sponsorship for eligible candidates.

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( 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 with Separate Review Request in the email subject line.

Required Experience:

In this role you will:

Know the robot better than almost anyone else
Develop test plans and create simulations to test the behavior of our autonomous trucks
Actively run daily simulation operations including scenario execution triage and reporting.
Improve efficiency in test planning scenario execution and results tracking across large-scale simulation suites.
Partner with engineering teams to ensure simulation scenarios accurately reflect real-world conditions.
Work closely with systems engineers on structured test design and execution ensuring comprehensive coverage of safety-critical and edge-case scenarios.
Share actionable insights from simulation results with autonomy software engineers to accelerate software development and validation.
Collaborate with infrastructure and tools teams to enhance automation debugging and scaling of simulations.

What youll bring:

2 years of experience in autonomous vehicle or robotics industry
Bachelors degree in Engineering Computer Science or related field.
2 years of experience in simulation QA or test automation ideally in robotics or autonomous systems.
1-2 years experience in python or C programming.
Hands-on experience with simulation workflows or large-scale simulation testing environments.
Strong problem-solving skills and ability to dive into technical details.
Passion for autonomous technology and improving safety and efficiency through simulation.
Familiarity with structured test planning and execution; experience working with systems engineers preferred.
Experience with Applied Intuition tools is a plus.
Great communicator with experience writing clear concise and detailed communication
Love of robots - You love to be in around or near robots

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.)