Verification & Validation System Engineer at Kodiak

<div class="content-intro"><p>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.</p></div><p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">We are looking for a Verification and Validation (V&amp;V) System Engineer with a strong technical background in system-level testing, structured test development, and validation of autonomous vehicle behaviors. This role is critical in ensuring Kodiak’s self-driving vehicles behave as expected in both simulation and on-road environments. The ideal candidate thrives working across software, hardware, operations, and safety teams to develop scalable test coverage to support software releases and safety assurance processes.&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">This person will be based in the Detroit, MI area.&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="p2"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>In this role, you will:</strong></span></p> <ul> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Define and implement verification and validation methods across multiple test environments, including simulation, hardware-in-the-loop (HIL), and in-vehicle testing. A major focus will be on structured vehicle-level scenario testing at a test track facility.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Develop structured test plans and procedures to evaluate system performance and safety for core autonomy features for software releases and key milestones.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Collaborate with cross-functional teams to scope and execute new tests aligned with feature requirements.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Develop and refine test workflows to improve efficiency and coverage of critical requirements using a combination of simulation, analysis, and on-road validation.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Expand the test suite to address edge cases, a wide range of operational conditions, and existing coverage gaps.&nbsp;</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Analyze test results to identify unexpected behaviors and failures, support root cause triage, and drive resolution.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Build tools to automate test execution, data extraction, and results reporting, with a focus on repeatability and efficiency.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Support software release readiness through structured test completion, tracking, failure resolution, and final test documentation and reporting.</span></li> </ul> <p class="p2"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>What you’ll bring:</strong></span></p> <ul> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Robotics, MechE/EE, System Engineering, Computer Science or a related STEM field.&nbsp;</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Strong experience in verification and validation, systems integration, and/or autonomy testing for complex systems, preferably for autonomous vehicles.&nbsp;</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Willingness and ability to travel to test/customer sites up to ~25% of the time, depending on needs for key milestones and sprints.&nbsp;</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Strong organizational and communication skills, with the ability to work cross functionally, prioritize multiple projects, and deliver results in a fast paced development environment.&nbsp;</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Strong hands-on testing experience at a test facility.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Bonus:&nbsp;&nbsp;</span>Proficiency in Python or C++; experience with developing test metrics and KPIs. Ability to query large databases (e.g. ElasticSearch); experience with requirements and test management tools such as JAMA or similar; experienced in the Systems Engineering V-Model and its application to V&amp;V workflows; knowledge of safety critical development standards (e.g. ISO 26262) and familiarity with SOTIF and UL4600.</li> </ul> <p class="p2"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>What we offer:</strong></span></p> <ul> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Competitive compensation package including equity and annual bonuses</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Excellent Medical, Dental, and Vision plans through Kaiser Permanente, Cigna, and&nbsp; MetLife (including a medical plan with infertility benefits)</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">MetLife Legal Services, Identity &amp; Fraud Protection, Hospital Indemnity Insurance, Accident Insurance, &amp; Critical Illness Insurance</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Flexible PTO, 10 paid holidays, and generous parental leave policies</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Our office is centrally located in Mountain View, CA</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Office perks: dog-friendly, free catered lunch, a fully stocked kitchen, and free EV charging</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Long Term Disability, Short Term Disability, Life Insurance</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Wellbeing Benefits - Headspace through Cigna, Calm through Kaiser, One Medical, Gympass, Spring Health through Cigna, Rula (mental health navigation)&nbsp;</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fidelity 401(k)</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Commuter, FSA, Dependent Care FSA, HSA</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Various incentive programs (referral bonuses, patent bonuses, etc.)</span></li> </ul><div class="content-conclusion"><div>&nbsp;</div> <div>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.</div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div>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.</div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div><em>We use a third-party AI tool (Endorsed) to assist in the initial screening of applications. As part of the evaluation process, we provide Endorsed with job requirements and candidate-submitted applications. Final hiring decisions are made by our human recruitment team, and no automated system makes the ultimate decision regarding hiring. Certain features of the platform may qualify it as an Automated Employment Decision Tool (AEDT) under applicable regulations. We began using Endorsed on January 1, 2026. You can review the independent bias audit report covering our use of Endorsed [here](</em><em><a href="https://endorsed.com/local-law-144" target="_blank" data-sk="tooltip_parent">https://endorsed.com/local-law-144</a></em><em>). By submitting your application, you acknowledge that your application may be processed by AI systems as part of the screening and selection process. If you have any questions or would like to request a separate review of your application, please contact </em><em><a href="mailto:[email protected]" target="_blank" data-sk="tooltip_parent">[email protected]</a></em><em> with "Separate Review Request" in the email subject line.</em></div> <p>&nbsp;</p></div>