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.
Kodiak is launching driverless operations on public highways by the end of year and we need the TPM who gets us there.
This is a high-stakes high-visibility role with one north star: get the truck on the highway without a driver safely and on schedule. Youll partner with Systems Engineering Safety and the Autonomy Teams to drive execution of our Functional Safety (FuSA) and SOTIF programs and the Safety Case that underpins them keeping every workstream on track on the critical path to driverless highway deployment.
Youll run the cross-functional program cadence drive how we verify and document software and push every workstream to move faster without cutting corners. Youll also find smarter ways to execute including using AI tools wherever they give us an edge.
Launch is the milestone not the finish line. After we go driverless the next chapter is expanding our Operational Design Domain and youll lead that too.
This role demands someone who is deeply execution-driven technically fluent in software willing to learn safety standards and energized by the challenge of building something with real impact.
In this role you will:
Drive to Driverless: ISO 26262 & ISO 21448 Execution
Manage and drive the critical path from safety goals to driverless highway launch
Partner with systems and software leads to adapt features and architecture to meet ISO 26262/ISO 21448 requirements on the path to driverless
Hold the team accountable: get date commitments and track execution weekly
Support the Safety team in building and maintaining the Safety Case
Support the Safety team in building and maintaining the Safety Case the structured argument that our system is acceptably safe for driverless highway operations
Ensure that the Safety Case stays current as the system evolves capturing evidence from testing validation and hazard analysis
Own the connection between the Safety Case and every other safety artifact: goals requirements verification results and release decisions
Make the Safety Case a living useful document not a shelf artifact
SW Verification & Documentation
Ensure the team follows the processes to check software verify that it works and document it for safety-critical driverless operations
Build rigor without bureaucracy the process should accelerate launch not slow it down
Innovation & Efficiency
Use AI tools and automation to move faster assist engineers with requirements gap analysis documentation traceability tracking reporting wherever it helps
Identify and eliminate inefficiencies in the safety and compliance workflow; introduce tooling templates and dashboards that scale
Set the example for how a modern safety program runs
Stakeholder Communication & Leadership
Deliver crisp regular updates to leadership balancing technical depth with executive clarity
Identify risks proactively and resolve cross-team blockers before they become launch blockers
What youll bring:
Experience: 5 years in technical program management with a track record of shipping safety-critical systems on deadline not just tracking them
Background: Bachelors or Masters in Automotive Engineering Robotics Computer Science Systems Engineering or related field
Safety-first Execution-Second: You make the plan set the dates and hold people to them. Youre comfortable with urgency and thrive when the stakes are high; however you will help us hold the line if the conditions for launch are not safe enough this is the most important thing
Software fluency: You understand how software is built tested and verified. You can speak credibly with engineers about SW architecture verification methods and what done means
Innovation orientation: Youve used AI tools automation or novel approaches to get programs done faster. You look for leverage not just headcount
Industry knowledge: Experience in autonomous vehicles automotive trucking aerospace medical devices or any domain where software safety and reliability are non-negotiable
Safety standards: Familiarity with ISO 26262 UL 4600 or ISO 21448 (SOTIF) is a plus but not a requirement. If youre a fast learner who can get up to speed quickly well teach you what you need to know
Program management toolkit: JIRA/Linear Lucidchart or equivalent you know your tools and use them well
Communication: You can walk an engineer through a traceability gap and brief a CTO on launch readiness in the same afternoon
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)
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
$160000 - $220000 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.
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....
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.
Kodiak is launching driverless operations on public highways by the end of year and we need the TPM who gets us there.
This is a high-stakes high-visibility role with one north star: get the truck on the highway without a driver safely and on schedule. Youll partner with Systems Engineering Safety and the Autonomy Teams to drive execution of our Functional Safety (FuSA) and SOTIF programs and the Safety Case that underpins them keeping every workstream on track on the critical path to driverless highway deployment.
Youll run the cross-functional program cadence drive how we verify and document software and push every workstream to move faster without cutting corners. Youll also find smarter ways to execute including using AI tools wherever they give us an edge.
Launch is the milestone not the finish line. After we go driverless the next chapter is expanding our Operational Design Domain and youll lead that too.
This role demands someone who is deeply execution-driven technically fluent in software willing to learn safety standards and energized by the challenge of building something with real impact.
In this role you will:
Drive to Driverless: ISO 26262 & ISO 21448 Execution
Manage and drive the critical path from safety goals to driverless highway launch
Partner with systems and software leads to adapt features and architecture to meet ISO 26262/ISO 21448 requirements on the path to driverless
Hold the team accountable: get date commitments and track execution weekly
Support the Safety team in building and maintaining the Safety Case
Support the Safety team in building and maintaining the Safety Case the structured argument that our system is acceptably safe for driverless highway operations
Ensure that the Safety Case stays current as the system evolves capturing evidence from testing validation and hazard analysis
Own the connection between the Safety Case and every other safety artifact: goals requirements verification results and release decisions
Make the Safety Case a living useful document not a shelf artifact
SW Verification & Documentation
Ensure the team follows the processes to check software verify that it works and document it for safety-critical driverless operations
Build rigor without bureaucracy the process should accelerate launch not slow it down
Innovation & Efficiency
Use AI tools and automation to move faster assist engineers with requirements gap analysis documentation traceability tracking reporting wherever it helps
Identify and eliminate inefficiencies in the safety and compliance workflow; introduce tooling templates and dashboards that scale
Set the example for how a modern safety program runs
Stakeholder Communication & Leadership
Deliver crisp regular updates to leadership balancing technical depth with executive clarity
Identify risks proactively and resolve cross-team blockers before they become launch blockers
What youll bring:
Experience: 5 years in technical program management with a track record of shipping safety-critical systems on deadline not just tracking them
Background: Bachelors or Masters in Automotive Engineering Robotics Computer Science Systems Engineering or related field
Safety-first Execution-Second: You make the plan set the dates and hold people to them. Youre comfortable with urgency and thrive when the stakes are high; however you will help us hold the line if the conditions for launch are not safe enough this is the most important thing
Software fluency: You understand how software is built tested and verified. You can speak credibly with engineers about SW architecture verification methods and what done means
Innovation orientation: Youve used AI tools automation or novel approaches to get programs done faster. You look for leverage not just headcount
Industry knowledge: Experience in autonomous vehicles automotive trucking aerospace medical devices or any domain where software safety and reliability are non-negotiable
Safety standards: Familiarity with ISO 26262 UL 4600 or ISO 21448 (SOTIF) is a plus but not a requirement. If youre a fast learner who can get up to speed quickly well teach you what you need to know
Program management toolkit: JIRA/Linear Lucidchart or equivalent you know your tools and use them well
Communication: You can walk an engineer through a traceability gap and brief a CTO on launch readiness in the same afternoon
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)
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
$160000 - $220000 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.
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