Functional Safety Engineer, Software

Kodiak; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity & bonuses

Medical/dental/vision

Flexible PTO

Office in Mountain View

Dog-friendly office

Headspace & Gympass

401(k)

Job summary

Kodiak Robotics, Inc. is seeking a Software Safety Engineer to define and deliver safety requirements for the Autonomy System, ensuring ISO 26262 compliance across domains. You will craft safety analyses, drive architectural decisions, and support verification at unit and integration levels.

Role requires strong communication and collaboration with hardware, software, and operations teams. Travel up to 10% to test sites may be required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in software, electrical, mechanical, or related engineering, or equivalent high-tech experience.
• Experience with ISO 26262 Parts 4, 6, 8, 9, with emphasis on Part 6 for autonomous vehicles.
• Experience creating safety-critical system work products and V&V evidence.
• Familiarity with functional-safety standards such as ISO 26262, SOTIF, UL 4600.
• Strong communicator and collaborator across teams.

Responsibilities

• Develop technical safety requirements for the Kodiak Autonomy System within approved domains.
• Lead software safety requirement specification and architectural design.
• Develop safety test plans and verification reports at unit and integration levels.
• Support system-level safety testing and hardware–software interfaces.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to ensure ISO 26262 compliance.
• Travel to test sites up to 10% as needed.

Skills

ISO 26262

Safety analysis

Software safety

Communication

Project coordination

V&V experience

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Job description

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 AI‑powered technology stack purpose‑built for commercial trucking and the public sector. Self‑driving trucks deliver freight daily across the southern United States, and we partnered to deliver the first driverless semi‑truck to a customer in 2024. Self‑driving technology is also being deployed for the U.S. Department of Defense.

Responsibilities

• Participate in developing technical safety requirements for the Kodiak Autonomy System in approved Operational Design Domains.
• Lead specification of software safety requirements.
• Participate in development of software safety architectural design.
• Participate in software safety unit design and implementation.
• Develop test plans, procedures, and verification reports at the software unit and integration levels; support system‑level testing from a software‑safety perspective.
• Perform software safety analyses (e.g., dependent‑failure analysis) to comply with ISO 26262.
• Support Hardware‑Software Interface development and derive safety measures.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to review and assess work products for compliance with ISO 26262.
• 10 % travel to test sites is possible.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in software, electrical, mechanical, or other related engineering, or must have professional experience in a high‑tech environment.
• Experience with ISO 26262 Parts 4, 6, 8, and 9, with mandatory emphasis on implementing Part 6 for autonomous vehicles.
• Experience developing work products for safety‑critical systems.
• Experience with system‑ and software‑level verification and validation of autonomous vehicles.
• Experience with functional‑safety standards such as ISO 26262, SOTIF, and UL 4600.
• Strong communication skills and collaborative approach.
• Ability to structure project tasks and drive evidence development across teams.
• Knowledge of software configuration management and software quality assurance.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation package including equity and biannual bonuses.
• Excellent medical, dental, and vision plans (Kaiser Permanente, Anthem, Guardian) with infertility benefits.
• Flexible PTO and generous parental leave policies.
• Office in Mountain View, CA.
• Dog‑friendly office, free catered lunch, stocked kitchen, and free EV charging.
• Long‑term disability, short‑term disability, life insurance.
• Well‑being benefits (Headspace, One Medical, Gympass, Spring Health).
• Fidelity 401(k).
• Commuter, FSA, dependent‑care FSA, and HSA.
• Incentive programs (referral and patent bonuses).

California Pay Range: $130,000 USD – $190,000 USD. Base compensation is based on location, experience, education, skill level, and performance.

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. If applicable, Kodiak may provide visa sponsorship for eligible candidates.