Software Quality Triage Specialist

Kodiak Robotics; Mountain View (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity & bonuses

Medical, dental, vision plans

Legal services & identity protection

Flexible PTO & holidays

Dog-friendly office & free lunch

EV charging

Job summary

Kodiak AI, Inc. in Mountain View, CA is seeking a highly capable triage and root cause analyst for its autonomous driving program. You will learn the Kodiak Driver in depth, study performance, and perform rigorous root cause analysis with minimal oversight.

You will identify failure modes, file bugs, and generate performance reports for cross-functional teams. The role emphasizes hands-on vehicle log analysis, AV sensor understanding, and simulation-based safety testing, with collaboration

Qualifications

• 3+ years of triage and deep root cause analysis in robotics/AV
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, CS, or related field
• Hands-on experience analyzing vehicle logs across perception, planning, localization, controls
• Strong understanding of AV sensors and how sensor performance impacts perception
• Experience using simulation for triage and safety behaviours
• Proven ability to investigate complex issues to root cause
• Strong analytical and communication skills

Responsibilities

• Learn the Kodiak Driver to a deep working level
• Study and assess performance results of autonomous trucks
• Perform deep root cause analysis with high quality and minimal oversight
• Identify and categorize failure modes, file bugs, and track resolution
• Generate reports of overall performance for the team
• Collaborate with operations and engineering to improve workflows
• QA on 2D/3D labels to train and improve algorithms

Skills

Root-cause analysis

Robotics triage

Vehicle logs analysis

AV sensors

Simulation for safety

Technical writing

Cross-functional collab

Learning agility

Data-driven decisions

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering/CS

Tools

Log analysis tools

Job description

Kodiak AI, Inc. (Nasdaq: KDK), founded in 2018, is a leader in Physical AI, developing driverless technology that powers machines that move. Its Kodiak Driver is a vehicle-agnostic autonomous driving system that combines AI-powered software with modular hardware. Today it operates in long-haul trucking, industrial trucking, and defense. In 2024, Kodiak launched commercial Driver-as-a-Service operations with no one in the cab, and plans to launch driverless long-haul service between Dallas and Houston by the end of 2026.

Kodiak has partnered with many of the biggest names in freight, including Bosch for scaled hardware production, AWS, and leading customers including Atlas Energy Solutions, IKEA, Bridgestone, Werner Enterprises, C.R. England, Roehl Transport, and General Dynamics Land Systems.

In this role, you will:

• Learn to know the Kodiak Driver better than almost anyone else
• Study and assess performance results of our autonomous trucks
• Perform deep root cause analysis efficiently with high quality and minimal oversight
• Identify and categorize failure modes of our system, file bugs, and track them through to resolution
• Generate reports of overall performance to share with the team
• Collaborate with operations and engineering teams to improve workflows and processes
• Perform quality assurance on 2D/3D labels to train and improve our algorithms

What you’ll bring:

• 3+ years of experience in triage and deep root cause analysis within the robotics or autonomous vehicle industry
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field
• Experience beyond high level bucketing
• Hands‑on experience analyzing vehicle logs across perception, planning, localization, controls and other system‑level behaviors
• Very solid understanding of AV sensors (e.g., cameras, lidar, radar) and how sensor performance impacts perception and planning
• Experience using simulation as part of the triage process to evaluate safety‑related behaviours
• Proven ability to investigate complex issues and drive them to root cause
• Critical thinker with strong analytical and root cause analysis skills
• Ability to quickly learn, adapt, and apply new concepts, tools, and workflows
• Naturally curious, with the diligence to investigate unexpected behaviors and understand why they occur
• Strong communication skills, including experience writing clear, concise, and thorough technical documentation
• Passion for autonomous technology and for improving safety and efficiency through triage and simulation

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

$120,000 — $135,000 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.