Software Quality Triage Specialist

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

Benefits offered by this job

Equity and annual bonuses

Medical, Dental, Vision coverage

Flexible PTO and holidays

Dog-friendly office in Mountain View

Job summary

Kodiak AI, Inc. is seeking a Software Quality Triage Specialist in Mountain View, CA to join its Software Quality team. You will learn the Kodiak Driver, analyze truck performance, and perform root-cause analysis to drive defects to resolution.

You will collaborate with operations and engineering, perform QA on labels to improve algorithms, and help share performance insights with the team. The role emphasizes safety and reliability in autonomous trucking technology.

Qualifications

• 3+ years in triage and deep root cause analysis within robotics or autonomous vehicles
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or related technical field
• Hands-on experience analyzing vehicle logs across perception, planning, localization, controls, and system-level behaviors
• Solid understanding of AV sensors (cameras, lidar, radar) and their impact on perception and planning
• Experience using simulation as part of triage to evaluate safety-related behaviors
• Proven ability to investigate complex issues and drive them to root cause
• Strong analytical and communication skills and ability to document clearly

Responsibilities

• Learn Kodiak Driver to a deep level and document performance findings
• Study and assess performance results of autonomous trucks
• Perform root cause analysis with high quality and minimal oversight
• Identify and categorize failure modes, file bugs, and track resolutions
• Generate reports on 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/AV experience

Vehicle log analysis

Sensor knowledge (AV sensors)

Simulation in triage

Technical documentation

Strong communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/CS

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.

We are looking for a Software Quality Triage Specialist to join our rapidly growing Software Quality team.

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 behaviors
• 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
• 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

The pay range listed below reflects the base salaryin 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

$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.