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Software Engineer, Controls (C++)

Kodiak

Job Location:

Mountain View, CA - USA

Monthly Salary: $ 145000 - 190000

Posted: 19 July 2026 (30+ days ago)

Application Deadline: 20 October 2026

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.

Kodiak is recruiting a Software Engineer who is passionate about vehicular motion control to join our Controls team. The role exposes the breadth of Kodiaks controller including dynamic control laws safety limits monitoring feedback and state management.

This is an opportunity to develop expertise in control theory platform characterization and software engineering. Kodiak supports a range of platforms which has given rise to a cutting-edge modular controller design.

The role accelerates career development by putting driverless features on the road immediately and providing data-based performance feedback.

In this role you will:

Implement control and actuation strategies
Develop and test reliable safety-critical software that controls articulated trucks driving on highways
Characterize the vehicle platform including braking steering and acceleration
Develop models for both onboard and simulated motion prediction
Specify requirements and document their implementation
Apply degraded operations capabilities for fail-safe driving
Collaborate with Planning Hardware Systems and Infrastructure colleagues to advance a robust vehicle control architecture

What youll bring:

2 year of experience developing production-level vehicular controls software
Software development experience writing production-level C
A strong background in robotics controls and mathematics
Experience developing testing and tuning controllers for autonomous robots ideally trucks cars or flying vehicles
A focus on vehicle safety

Bonus points if you have:

Characterized modeled and simulated robotic systems
Facility with control theory including stability analysis
Written low-level drivers for software/hardware interfacing using protocols such as CAN or ethernet
Developed efficient code running on resource-constrained embedded systems with a real-time operating system
Experience with software design and implementation in safety-critical domains (e.g. automotive aerospace medical etc)
Knowledge of formal verification methods writing requirements and systems engineering processes
Proficiency with Python
Proficiency with MATLAB / Simulink

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

$145000 - $190000 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:

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About Company

Kodiak

Our purpose-built autonomous solution, the Kodiak Driver, is the AV industry’s most advanced driverless technology, seamlessly integrating into any driving platform for reliable movement in any environment. Learn how we’re shaping the future of ground transportation.

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