Sensor Hardware Engineer

Kodiak; Mountain View (CA); On-site; USD 165,000 - 220,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible PTO

Competitive compensation including equity

Dog-friendly office

Free catered lunch

Health benefits through major providers

Job summary

Kodiak in Mountain View, CA, is hiring a Sensor Hardware Engineer to develop world-class sensor systems for autonomous trucking. This role focuses on enhancing the performance of perception sensors and requires collaboration with external partners to optimize sensor performance.

Ideal candidates will have a strong technical background, with a BS or MS in Engineering and over 5 years' relevant experience. Kodiak offers competitive compensation, comprehensive health benefits, flexible PTO, and a dog-friendly work environment.

Qualifications

• 5 years of experience in the automotive or aerospace industry.
• Experience with defining and developing sensor systems.
• Great communicator with clear documentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with partners to optimize performance of autonomous driving sensors.
• Analyze on-road data for sensor performance.
• Manage relationships with contract manufacturers and suppliers.

Skills

Technical background in Physics or Engineering

Experience with autonomous-driving sensing systems

Leadership and ownership skills

Hands-on experience

Strong communication skills

Education

BS or MS in Physics, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Robotics

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 looking for a Sensor Hardware Engineer to join us and help develop world‑class sensor systems for autonomous trucking. This role will focus on optimizing the perception sensor architecture and data pipeline via test, analysis, and cooperation with suppliers.

In This Role You Will

• Collaborate with external partners to choose and optimize performance of autonomous driving sensors such as lidar, radar, camera, and ultrasonics
• Analyze on‑road data to understand trends in sensor performance and prioritize efforts to optimize and debug
• Develop and execute hands‑on sensor tests to help define vehicle architecture and improve perception performance
• Develop sensor field of view requirements and test new vehicle platforms against those requirements
• Research and evaluate the latest in autonomous‑driving sensor technology
• Assist with sensor integration onto the vehicle and debug issues that arise
• Manage relationships with contract manufacturers, suppliers, and external partners
• Work with the perception team to identify, understand, and solve sensor performance issues
• Travel (15%) to field locations to support testing in the operational design domain

What you’ll Bring

• Strong technical background. BS or MS, or equivalent experience, in Physics, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, or related fields with 5 years of experience in the automotive, aerospace or related industry
• Experience with defining autonomous‑driving sensing systems or diving deep into one of the sensing modalities
• Software experience (especially for data analysis) is a plus but not required
• A team leader. Whether formally or informally, you have previously played the lead role on several projects. You take ownership and drive the team to deliver exceptional results
• Proven ability to build and iterate quickly
• You have experienced product development in all of its stages and are comfortable in the earlier stages – moving from zero to one
• Hands on. You are just as comfortable with a wrench as a keyboard
• You have a deep understanding of manufacturing processes for both low and high volume production
• Great communicator. You have experience writing clear, concise, and detailed documentation
• You are skilled in leading and participating in cross‑functional design reviews

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
• 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

$165,000 - $220,000 USD

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.