Software Engineer, Embedded

Kodiak; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity & bonuses

Medical, Dental, Vision plans

Flexible PTO

Mountain View, CA location

Dog-friendly office with perks

Free lunch, stocked kitchen

Job summary

Kodiak Robotics, Inc. is seeking an Embedded Software Engineer to design and ship low‑level software for truck systems. You will collaborate with hardware and software teams to ensure safety, reliability and performance in mission‑critical code.

This role emphasizes C/C++ on embedded platforms (x86, ARM), on‑vehicle debugging, sensors, and high‑speed networks, with hands‑on hardware bring‑up in Mountain View, CA.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of software development experience, ideally within the automotive, aerospace or a related industry.
• Programming experience in C++
• Knowledge of embedded programming platforms
• Understanding of networking fundamentals
• Experience with implementation and on‑vehicle debugging of low level hardware buses such as I2C, CAN, SPI, and UART
• Experience with high speed hardware communication such as PCIe and Automotive Ethernet
• Hands on. You are just as comfortable getting your hands dirty analyzing a subsystem in the shop as when using a keyboard.
• Great communicator. You have experience writing clear, concise, and detailed documentation
• Passion. You are passionate about autonomous vehicles and their potential impact on humanity
• BS or MS, or equivalent experience in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or Computer Engineering

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with hardware EE on design and test of high reliable hardware systems
• Collaborate with software engineering on architecture, optimizations and reviews
• Contribute to hardware specifications to ensure test coverage and fault detection
• Participate in hands‑on hardware bring‑up in the engineering lab using analyzers and probes
• Debug common truck functions on the vehicles (Driver interfaces, Braking, Steering)
• Develop software for embedded platforms (x86, ARM) in C/C++
• Develop software for sensors. Evaluation and production (Camera, Radar, Lidar, IMU)
• Develop software for network devices, time synchronization experience a plus

Skills

C++

Embedded systems

Networking fundamentals

Hardware debugging

Communication

Education

BS/MS in Computer Science / Electrical Engineering / Computer Engineering

Tools

x86

ARM

PCIe

Automotive Ethernet

I2C

CAN

SPI

UART

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 an Embedded Software Engineer with a background in embedded systems who is passionate to ship mission critical software. The role will collaborate across hardware and software teams to design the low level devices that interface with our truck systems, ensure reliable operations of large robots, and develop cutting‑edge functionality to real customers. The role will bring the best of modern software engineering to ensure a high level of safety and performance.

In this role, you will:

• Collaborate with hardware EE on design and test of high reliable hardware systems
• Collaborate with software engineering on architecture, optimizations and reviews
• Contribute to hardware specifications to ensure test coverage and fault detection
• Participate in hands‑on hardware bring‑up in the engineering lab using analyzers and probes
• Debug common truck functions on the vehicles (Driver interfaces, Braking, Steering)
• Develop software for embedded platforms (x86, ARM) in C/C++
• Develop software for sensors. Evaluation and production (Camera, Radar, Lidar, IMU)
• Develop software for network devices, time synchronization experience a plus

What you’ll bring:

• 2+ years of software development experience, ideally within the automotive, aerospace or a related industry
• Programming experience in C++
• Knowledge of embedded programming platforms
• Understanding of networking fundamentals
• Experience with implementation and on‑vehicle debugging of low level hardware buses such as I2C, CAN, SPI, and UART
• Experience with high speed hardware communication such as PCIe and Automotive Ethernet
• Hands on. You are just as comfortable getting your hands dirty analyzing a subsystem in the shop as when using a keyboard.
• Great communicator. You have experience writing clear, concise, and detailed documentation
• Passion. You are passionate about autonomous vehicles and their potential impact on humanity
• BS or MS, or equivalent experience in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or Computer Engineering

What we offer:

• Competitive compensation package including equity and biannual bonuses
• Excellent Medical, Dental, and Vision plans through Kaiser Permanente, Anthem, and Guardian (including a medical plan with infertility benefits)
• Flexible PTO 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
• Fidelity 401(k)
• Commuter, FSA, Dependent Care FSA, HSA

The pay range listed below reflects the base salary in our SF/Silicon Valley location, across several internal levels. Actual starting pay will be based on job‑related factors including: work location, experience, relevant training, education, skill level and performance during interview. Total compensation at Kodiak includes base pay, equity, bonus and a competitive benefits package.

$150,000 - $210,000 USD

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.