Program Manager, Test Operations

Job Description

Job Description

Kodiak AI, Inc. (Nasdaq: KDK), founded in 2018, is a leader in Physical AI, developing driverless technology that powers machines that move. Its Kodiak Driver is a vehicle-agnostic autonomous driving system that combines AI-powered software with modular hardware. Today it operates in long-haul trucking, industrial trucking, and defense. In 2024, Kodiak launched commercial Driver-as-a-Service operations with no one in the cab, and plans to launch driverless long-haul service between Dallas and Houston by the end of 2026.

Kodiak has partnered with many of the biggest names in freight, including Bosch for scaled hardware production, AWS, and leading customers including Atlas Energy Solutions, IKEA, Bridgestone, Werner Enterprises, C.R. England, Roehl Transport, and General Dynamics Land Systems.

As Program Manager, Test Operations, you will own the system that turns test requests from every hardware and software program into an executable schedule across Kodiak's sites, trucks, and contracted test tracks. You will run intake, triage, and prioritization for all engineering test requests, translating program priorities into queue order and handing a ready-to-execute schedule to the Test Operations team. 

You will also manage day-to-day test track operations and own the track spend line. This role works independently at the intersection of Program Management, Engineering, and Test Operations, resolving operational conflicts in conjunction with those teams and escalating with clear tradeoffs when demand exceeds capacity.

What You'll Do: Intake & Scheduling

• Own the test request workflow in Linear from intake through Ready to Schedule: daily triage, request quality enforcement, and queue curation
• Define how requests enter the system, including request templates and a pre-filter standard built with TPMs
• Run the weekly cross-site scheduling meeting and translate program priorities into queue order
• Define and enforce lead-time standards, with an expedited path for true emergencies
• Resolve operational conflicts with program and site teams, and escalate with clear tradeoff recommendations

Track Operations & Budget

• Book time across Kodiak's contracted test tracks and manage day-to-day vendor and facility operations
• Coordinate with site supervisors to match trucks, drivers, and track slots to the scheduled queue
• Own the track operations spend line: forecast against the test plan, approve spend within delegated authority, and report variance monthly

Reporting & Process Improvement

• Publish weekly funnel metrics (time-to-schedule, aging, throughput) into standard Ops and MBR reporting
• Execute monthly backlog scrubs, SLA breach reviews, and ticket data quality audits
• Improve intake, scheduling, and reporting processes as test demand scales

What We're Looking For: Experience

• 5+ years in test operations, fleet, flight, or vehicle test coordination, or similar high-tempo scheduling environments
• Has owned a work-intake and scheduling system end to end (Linear or Jira fluency; SLAs, dashboards, light automation)
• Budget experience: has forecast and defended a spend line, not just tracked it
• Vendor or facility management experience

Nice to Have

• AV, test operations, aerospace, or automotive proving ground background
• Experience building operational metrics and reporting from scratch

Mindset

• Credible with senior engineers; makes and communicates priority calls under pressure
• Holds a "not yet" professionally when demand exceeds capacity
• Highly organized with relentless follow-through; the queue never slips
• Builds processes that scale beyond one person

Why Join Kodiak?

Every test at Kodiak flows through the system you will own. You will decide how testing demand gets organized, keep expensive track capacity working, and directly shape how fast Kodiak validates its autonomous trucking technology. This is a high-visibility role with a defined growth path and real ownership from day one.

What we offer:

• Competitive compensation package including equity and annual bonus
• Excellent Medical, Dental, and Vision plans
• Accrued PTO and generous parental leave policies
• Facility is located in Lancaster, TX - 3901 Corporate Dr Ste 300
• 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.)

 

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 candidate's residence, U.S. person status, and/or citizenship status. Should the position require, and Kodiak determines that a candidate's 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 Kodiak's sole discretion, or, as an alternative, opt not to proceed with the candidate's 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](-law-144). 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 View email address on us.fitly.work with "Separate Review Request" in the email subject line.