Software Engineer, Localization

Kodiak Robotics; Mountain View (CA); On-site; USD 160,000 - 185,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity and annual bonuses

Medical, Dental, Vision plans

Flexible PTO

Dog-friendly office

Free catered lunch

EV charging

401(k)

Job summary

Kodiak Robotics, Inc. in Mountain View, CA, is seeking a Software Engineer for the Calibration, Localization and Mapping (CLAM) team to advance state estimation and sensor fusion in autonomous trucking.

You will implement onboard navigation, refine pose estimation with IMU, camera and lidar data, and contribute to motion estimation algorithms. Collaborative, fast-paced, and hands-on environment with mentorship from senior engineers.

Qualifications

• BS or MS with coursework or project experience in navigation, localization, robotics, or related field; internship or early industry experience a plus.
• Proficiency in C++ and a strong foundation in data structures, algorithms, and software engineering fundamentals.
• Exposure to transforming raw sensor data from GNSS, IMU, wheel speed, etc. into pose estimates (e.g., via Kalman Filtering or factor graphs).
• Some familiarity with computer vision, visual odometry, or point cloud processing is a plus, but not required.
• Growth mindset; eager to learn from senior engineers and take on increasing ownership.
• Team player who communicates clearly and asks good questions.
• Comfortable in a fast-paced environment with quick iterations and feedback.
• Hands on, curious, flexible; interested in expanding horizons and providing a complete system-wide solution.
• Great communicator; experience writing clear design docs to gather feedback across the team.

Responsibilities

• Develop and integrate onboard navigation and pose estimation algorithms.
• Optimize sensor fusion and pose estimation using IMU, camera, and lidar sensors.
• Develop visual and lidar odometry algorithms.
• Develop navigation metrics for evaluating offboard and onboard performance of algorithms and systems in the autonomous trucking domain.
• Troubleshoot, solve problems, and collaborate to innovate.

Skills

C++

Pose estimation

Data structures

Team collaboration

Education

BS or MS in robotics, computer science, or related field

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 Software Engineer to join our Calibration, Localization and Mapping (CLAM) team — a problem solver looking to build expertise in state estimation, inertial navigation, and sensed odometry.

In this role, you will:

• Develop and integrate onboard navigation and pose estimation algorithms.
• Optimize sensor fusion and pose estimation using IMU, camera, and lidar sensors.
• Develop visual and lidar odometry algorithms.
• Develop navigation metrics for evaluating offboard and onboard performance of algorithms and systems in the autonomous trucking domain.
• Troubleshoot, problem solve, innovate, create, and collaborate.
• Evaluate sensor performance and optimize sensor selection.
• Verify correct sensor calibrations, settings, and uncertainty characterizations.

What you’ll bring:

• BS or MS with coursework or project experience in navigation, localization, robotics, or a related field; internship or early industry experience a plus.
• Proficiency in C++ and a strong foundation in data structures, algorithms, and software engineering fundamentals.
• Exposure to transforming raw sensor data from GNSS, IMU, wheel speed, etc. into pose estimates (e.g., via Kalman Filtering or factor graphs) through coursework, projects, or prior work.
• Some familiarity with computer vision, visual odometry, or point cloud processing is a plus, but not required.
• A growth mindset, someone eager to learn from senior engineers and take on increasing ownership over time.
• A team player who communicates clearly and asks good questions.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment and iterating quickly with feedback.
• Hands on. Curious. Flexible. Interested in new domains to expand your horizons and provide a complete system wide solution.
• Great communicator. You have experience writing clear, concise design documentation to gather feedback from across the team to find the best solution.

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
• 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.)

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

California Pay Range

$160,000 — $185,000 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.

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.