Senior Vehicle Integration Engineer

Socket.dev; Lancaster (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity and annual bonuses

Medical, Dental, Vision plans

Flexible PTO

Dog-friendly office

Free catered lunch

Free EV charging

Long-term disability and lifeInsurance

401(k) with employer match

Commuter benefits

Job summary

Kodiak Robotics, Inc. seeks a Senior Vehicle Integration Engineer to reinforce our hardware and systems support for the autonomous fleet.

You will diagnose, repair, document, and collaborate with ME, EE, Manufacturing, and Vehicle Operations to elevate reliability and maintainability across the fleet. The role blends hands-on troubleshooting with design-for-manufacturing input, documentation excellence, and leadership of a hardware team to deliver robust vehicle and subsystem solutions.

Qualifications

• BS or MS in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering with 6+ years in the autonomous vehicle or related industry.
• Strong systems analysis and problem solving; able to debug complex systems.
• Hands-on with automotive electronics; comfortable with a wrench and a keyboard.
• Experience with scripting and data analysis languages: Python or MATLAB.
• Understanding of Linux-based systems and computer networking.
• Ability to navigate electrical and mechanical CAD software.
• Proven leadership on projects and cross-functional reviews.
• Excellent written and verbal communication for documentation.

Responsibilities

• Lead and own the continuous improvement of a customer-facing product, identifying and driving key technical initiatives.
• Spearhead the coordination and execution of complex repairs and upgrades, partnering with cross-functional teams (ME, EE, Manufacturing, and Vehicle Operations) to ensure seamless delivery.
• Own the Design-for-Manufacturing and Serviceability feedback loop, influencing product architecture and long-term maintainability.
• Oversee hardware quality inspections, proactively resolving manufacturing and build issues to ensure fleet-wide reliability.
• Lead the broader hardware team in developing vehicle and subsystem BOMs, comprehensive documentation, and robust verification plans.

Skills

CAN/Ethernet

Python

MATLAB

Linux knowledge

CAD software

Documentation

Leadership

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Mechanical or Electrical 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 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.

We are seeking a Senior Vehicle Integration Engineer experienced in vehicle hardware and systems support. Positioned at the intersection of hardware, software, and manufacturing, this role ensures our commercial fleet remains reliable, functional, and maintainable. You will bring best in class rigor to diagnostics, repairs, and documentation, elevating operational standards. In addition to directly diagnosing and repairing hardware and system issues, you will assist technicians and create repeatable, auditable documentation. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams to maintain and enhance fleet standards.

In this role, you will:

• Lead and own the continuous improvement of a customer-facing product, identifying and driving key technical initiatives.
• Spearhead the coordination and execution of complex repairs and upgrades, partnering with cross-functional teams (ME, EE, Manufacturing, and Vehicle Operations) to ensure seamless delivery.
• Own the Design-for-Manufacturing and Serviceability feedback loop, influencing product architecture and long-term maintainability.
• Oversee hardware quality inspections, proactively resolving manufacturing and build issues to ensure fleet-wide reliability.
• Lead the broader hardware team in developing vehicle and subsystem BOMs, comprehensive documentation, and robust verification plans.

What you'll bring:

• Strong technical background. BS or MS in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering with 6+ years of experience in the autonomous vehicle, automotive, or a related industry
• Strong systems analysis and problem-solving skills; understanding and debugging complex systems is exciting for you
• Hands-on. You are equally comfortable with a wrench and a keyboard. Confident with automotive electronics and familiar with communication protocols and tools such as Ethernet and CAN
• Experience with scripting and data analysis languages such as Python or MATLAB
• Understanding of Linux-based systems and computer networking
• Ability to navigate electrical and mechanical CAD software
• A team leader. Whether formally or informally, you have previously played the lead role on several projects. You take ownership and drive teams to deliver exceptional results
• Great communicator. You write clear, concise, and detailed documentation and are skilled at leading and participating in cross-functional design reviews
• Proven ability to drive testing through development, execution, analysis, corrective actions, and final report-outs, with a track record of bringing sustaining engineering practices to fielded products

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 Lancaster, Tx
• 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.)

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.