Senior Software Engineer (Controls, MATLAB)

Overview

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. It 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 driver‑less semi‑truck to a customer. Kodiak also leverages its commercial self‑driving software to develop, test and deploy autonomous capabilities for the U.S. Department of Defense. In 2025, it listed publicly on the NASDAQ.

We are looking for an experienced Controls Software Engineer who is passionate about safety‑critical motion control to join our Motion Planning & Controls team.

In this role, you will:

• 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, embedded systems, and systems engineering) to deliver a robust vehicle control architecture.
• Create requirement specifications, implement features, plan testing, and document results.

What you’ll bring:

• Software development experience writing production‑level MATLAB & Simulink.
• Experience with automatic code generation from MATLAB / Simulink to embedded C / C++.
• Development, testing, and tuning of controllers for mobile autonomous robots, ideally trucks, cars, or flying vehicles.
• System identification, modeling, simulation, and characterization of systems with complex dynamics.
• A strong theoretical foundation paired with practical experience in controls, system modeling, and redundant architectures.
• A focus on end‑to‑end vehicle safety.

Bonus points if you have:

• Effective development of production C++.
• Expertise with hardware‑in‑the‑loop (HIL) testing.
• 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.
• Drafted safety goals and requirements with traceability, following the ISO26262 process.

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.).

Pay Range

California Pay Range: $190,000 — $260,000 USD.

Equal Opportunity Employment

At Kodiak, we strive to build a diverse community working toward 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, veteran status, or any other basis protected by applicable law. 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. If applicable, Kodiak may provide visa sponsorship for eligible candidates.