Staff, Hardware Electrical Engineer

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.

We are seeking a skilled Staff Hardware Electrical Engineer to join our team in Mountain View, CA. The successful candidate will be responsible for product-level design and validation of electrical PCBs and electrical subsystems that are critical to the operation of our autonomous vehicles. The role will require knowledge of high speed PCB design, a deep understanding of power systems, and be familiar with automotive safety standards and requirements. The role will work collaboratively across software, electrical engineering, and integration teams to build safe, reliable systems.

In this role, you will:

• Design and validate custom PCBA electronics that are critical to the operation of our autonomous vehicle
• Perform schematic and layout design of medium to high complexity of analog and digital PCBs
• Responsible for ensuring risks are appropriately mitigated and designs are appropriately documented
• Hands on debug and bring-up of PCBs within a complex system
• Own full lifecycle of PCB design, including technical reviews, simulation, test, documentation, and product release
• Proactively suggest improvements in test methodologies and procedures to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the validation process
• Drive DFMEA analysis of electrical systems and lead cross-functional design trade-off discussions
• Lead root cause analysis and resolve issues in electrical systems
• Define stress test routines required to validate functional sections
• Validate thermal and power performance of circuits
• Develop and implement ISO 26262 methodologies to drive hardware design to meet ASIL goals
• Interface closely with other teams such as Software, Mechanical, Manufacturing, and with external suppliers 

What you'll bring:

• BS or MS, or equivalent experience in Electrical, Mechanical, or Computer Engineering
• 10+ years of hardware development experience, ideally within the automotive, aerospace or a related industry
• 10+ years of experience with PCBAs, High Speed PCB Design, Harnesses, Power Distribution Units, Power Supplies, and automotive subcomponents 
• Deep understanding of failure analysis
• Knowledge of mixed analog and digital circuits
• Experience with implementation and on-vehicle debugging of low level hardware buses such as I2C, CAN, SPI, and Ethernet
• Experience with high - speed communication such as PCIe and DDR
• Hands on. You are just as comfortable getting your hands dirty analyzing a subsystem in the shop as when using a keyboard
• Great communicator. You have experience writing clear, concise, and detailed documentation
• Passion. You are passionate about autonomous vehicles and their potential impact on humanity

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 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, bonus and a competitive benefits package

California Pay Range

$190,000—$230,000 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 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 ziprecruiter.com with "Separate Review Request" in the email subject line.