Software Engineer, Controls

hackajob is collaborating with Kodiak to connect them with exceptional tech professionals for this role. 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.

• 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)

• 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++

• 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

• Competitive compensation package including equity and annual bonuses
• Excellent Medical, Dental, and Vision plans through Kaiser Permanente, Cigna, and Met Life (including a medical plan with infertility benefits)
• Met Life 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,…