Safety Driver, Commercial

Kodiak; Lancaster (TX); On-site; USD 37,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, and Vision plans

Paid Time Off (PTO)

Biannual bonuses

Competitive compensation package

Dog-friendly office

Free catered lunch

Free EV charging

Job summary

Kodiak, a leader in autonomous ground transportation, is hiring a Safety Driver, Commercial, to operate their autonomous‑enabled trucks for freight delivery. Located in Lancaster, TX, this role emphasizes safety and professionalism while adhering to all regulations.

Candidates should possess a valid Class A CDL and have at least 3 years of driving experience. The position offers a competitive compensation, including $37/hr and $60/hr for OTR, alongside excellent benefits.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3+ years of recent, verifiable Class A driving experience.
• Ability to pass background check, drug test, and DOT physical.
• Experience in test driving or autonomous validation is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Safely operate autonomous‑enabled commercial trucks on freight routes.
• Conduct vehicle inspections to ensure readiness.
• Adhere to FMCSA regulations and company safety policies.

Skills

Class A CDL

Safety awareness

Reliability

Professionalism

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

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 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.

As a Safety Driver, Commercial, you’ll operate Kodiak’s autonomous‑enabled trucks on real‑world, over‑the‑road commercial freight routes. You’ll partner closely with our Operations, Command Center, and customer teams to safely deliver freight while supporting the continued deployment and validation of Kodiak’s autonomous driving technology in production environments.

This role is focused on live commercial operations, not testing. You’ll be responsible for maintaining safety, professionalism, and reliability while operating on highways alongside the public and delivering freight for Kodiak’s commercial partners.

If you’re an experienced CDL driver who takes pride in safe driving, consistency, and being part of the future of trucking, this role is for you.

What You’ll Do

• Safely operate autonomous‑enabled commercial trucks on both local and over‑the‑road freight routes, maintaining full situational awareness at all times.
• Take control of the vehicle when required to ensure safety, regulatory compliance, and mission success.
• Conduct thorough pre‑trip, en‑route, and post‑trip inspections to ensure vehicle readiness and roadworthiness.
• Execute assigned commercial routes in alignment with dispatch instructions, customer schedules, and operational priorities.
• Communicate timely updates regarding route status, delays, or issues to Operations and Command Center teams.
• Adhere strictly to all FMCSA regulations, hours‑of‑service requirements, and company safety policies.
• Represent Kodiak professionally with customers, partners, and the public during all commercial operations.
• Maintain accurate trip documentation and operational records as required.
• Support continuous improvement by providing feedback on vehicle performance, route conditions, and operational processes.
• Uphold Kodiak’s safety‑first culture while operating in live highway and customer‑facing environments.

What You'll Bring

• Valid Class A CDL with a clean driving record.
• Minimum 3+ years of recent, verifiable Class A driving experience.
• Ability to pass a background check, drug test, MVR review, DOT physical, and a practical driving assessment.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Experience in high‑awareness roles (test driving, autonomous/ADAS validation, specialized transport) is a strong plus.

Why Join Kodiak?

At Kodiak, you’ll work at the forefront of autonomous trucking, supporting real‑world commercial deployments that are shaping the future of freight. Your work directly enables safe, reliable deliveries for our partners while helping scale autonomous technology in live production environments. Join us in building a safer, more efficient future for trucking – one mile at a time.

What we offer:

• A place with big goals that we trust we can achieve
• A fast paced environment where we work with talented, committed and supportive teammates
• $37/hr with predictable scheduling
• $60/hr when OTR
• Double time for holiday pay
• Clean, newer vehicles
• Snacks and Drinks provided
• Competitive compensation package including equity and biannual bonuses
• Excellent Medical, Dental, and Vision plans through Kaiser Permanente, Cigna, and Guardian (including a medical plan with infertility benefits)
• Accrued PTO and generous parental leave policies
• Facility is located in Lancaster, TX - 3901 Corporate Dr Ste 300
• Office perks: dog‑friendly, free catered lunch, a fully stocked kitchen, and free EV charging
• Fidelity 401(k)
• Commuter, FSA, Dependent Care FSA, HSA

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.