Staff Vehicle Manufacturing Engineer

Kodiak; Mountain View (CA); On-site; USD 155,000 - 220,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity and annual bonuses

Medical insurance (Kaiser/MetLife)

Dental insurance (Kaiser/MetLife)

Vision insurance (Kaiser/MetLife)

Flexible PTO

Parental leave

Dog-friendly office

Free catered lunch

EV charging

Wellbeing programs (Headspace, Calm)

Job summary

Kodiak AI, Inc. is seeking a Manufacturing Engineer to act as a technical leader in its Manufacturing group, driving DFM and best practices for ruggedized compute rack assemblies and electromechanical systems in Mountain View, CA.

The role requires 7+ years of experience in manufacturing engineering, a proven track record of complex system builds, and hands-on expertise with line bring-up, automation, and DFx. Excellent communication and leadership skills are essential.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of manufacturing engineering in a complex environment.
• Proven track record of managing complex system builds.
• Automotive, heavy industry, or aerospace experience.
• Hands-on manufacturing experience including line bring up, test, fixture design, and automation.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and leadership skills.
• Proven track record of taking a system from design to scale production.
• Ability to identify root cause and lead solutions on the line and in the field.
• Lead DFx efforts with in-house Design teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead electromechanical manufacturing for ruggedized compute rack assemblies, automotive harnessing, and electromechanical assemblies
• Lead electromechanical DFM and best practices
• Coordinate with Supply Chain and commercial teams to determine and ensure supply of components
• Identify and evaluate suppliers for component builds
• Coordinate documentation requirements with engineering, test and quality teams
• Communicate program progress, milestones, and potential risks to leadership and overall engineering team
• Evaluate and contribute to manufacturing line design and improvements
• Lead all manufacturing troubleshooting activities including root cause analysis, yield improvement, and test/automation

Skills

Manufacturing engineering

Line bring-up & automation

DFx leadership

Root cause analysis

Project leadership

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 Manufacturing Engineer to act as a technical leader in our Manufacturing group. This position will be key in launching DFM and best practices at Kodiak.

In this role, you will:

• Lead electromechanical manufacturing for ruggedized compute rack assemblies, automotive harnessing, and electromechanical assemblies
• Lead electromechanical DFM and best practices
• Coordinate with Supply Chain and commercial teams to determine and ensure supply of components
• Identify and evaluate suppliers for component builds
• Coordinate documentation requirements with engineering, test and quality teams
• Communicate program progress, milestones, and potential risks to leadership and overall engineering team
• Evaluate and contribute to manufacturing line design and improvements
• Lead all manufacturing troubleshooting activities including root cause analysis, yield improvement, and test/automation

What you’ll bring:

• 7+ years of experience of manufacturing engineering in a complex environment
• Proven track record of managing complex system builds
• Automotive, heavy industry, or aerospace experience
• Hands on manufacturing experience including line bring up, test, fixture design, and automation
• Excellent communication, organizational, and leadership skills
• Proven track record of taking a system from design to scale production
• Ability to identify, root cause, and lead solutions for issues found on the line and in the field
• Lead DFx efforts in conjunction with our in-house Design teams

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 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

$155,000 - $220,000 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.