Senior Vehicle Integration Engineer - Defense

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 Senior Vehicle Integration Engineer with deep experience in new platform development and system-level integration. This role is at the forefront of bringing next-generation autonomous vehicle platforms to life — from early-stage concept through integration, validation, and deployment. You will work closely with hardware, systems, and manufacturing teams to drive new platform development, with a focus on integration quality, test rigor, and technical execution.

In this role, you will:

Lead system-level integration of sensors, compute, actuation, and vehicle systems for new platform development programs

Drive the full integration lifecycle: architecture definition, build planning, bring-up, validation, and sign-off

Develop and execute structured test plans to validate new platform functionality, performance, and reliability

Coordinate and lead cross-functional build and integration events with Mechanical, Electrical, Manufacturing, and Systems teams

Provide Design-For-Manufacturing and Design-For-Test feedback to ensure new platforms are built for quality and scale

Develop and maintain comprehensive platform documentation including drawings, schematics, BOMs, build instructions, and test reports

Identify, triage, and resolve integration issues through systematic debugging and root cause analysis

Partner with systems and hardware engineering teams to define integration requirements and acceptance criteria for new platforms

What you'll bring:

Strong technical background. BS or MS in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering

6+ years of experience in the autonomous vehicle, automotive, or a related industry

Demonstrated experience leading new platform or new product integration programs from early development through validation

Strong systems thinking and problem-solving skills; you are energized by complex, multi-disciplinary integration challenges

Hands-on. You are equally comfortable with a wrench and a keyboard. Confident with automotive electronics and familiar with communication protocols and tools such as Ethernet and CAN

Experience with scripting and data analysis languages such as Python or MATLAB

Understanding of Linux-based systems and computer networking

CAD experience with packages such as SolidWorks

A team leader. Whether formally or informally, you have played the lead role on multiple integration or development programs. You take ownership and drive teams to deliver results

Great communicator. You write clear, concise, and detailed technical documentation, and are skilled at leading and participating in cross-functional design and integration reviews

Proven ability to drive testing through development, execution, analysis, corrective actions, and final report-outs across all stages of product development

U.S. person required

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

$180,000 $210,000 USD

At Kodiak, we strive to build a diverse community working towards our common company goals in a safe and collaborative environment whe…