Verification & Validation System Engineer, Assisted Autonomy 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 recruiting for a Verification and Validation Systems Engineer who will support the system requirements, implementation, and testing of Kodiak’s assisted autonomy system to ensure the product requirements are met and the autonomous vehicle operates safely.&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 remote operation centers, hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) labs, and on-road vehicle testing for remote operations.&nbsp;</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Develop and maintain test plans and procedures to evaluate system performance and safety for core remote assistance features as needed for hardware releases, software releases and/or key milestones.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Collaborate with cross-functional teams to scope, train, and implement new operational functions aligned with remote feature requirements.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Analyze remote assistance features, test evidence, and/or evaluate risk exposures to improve safety case arguments.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Expand the remote assistance 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;">Collaborate with remote operators and trainers to align on desired operational use cases, training points, and safety goals when new features are implemented.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Analyze test results to identify unexpected behaviors, regressions, and/or failures while also performing root cause triage to isolate system issues 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> </ul> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Support hardware and software releases through V&amp;V test campaigns and release packages with an emphasis on tracking results, evidence reporting, and task completion.</span></p> <ul> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Develop and assess safety critical features for unmanned autonomous vehicles</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Define and enforce safety critical operational procedures for unmanned autonomous vehicles&nbsp;</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Support commercial, industrial, and/or defense related projects to ensure safe autonomous operations using various platforms in different operational design domains.</span></li> </ul> <p class="p2"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>What you’ll bring:</strong></span></p> <ul> <li class="p2"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Must be a US person as defined as permanent resident or US citizen</span></li> <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 or in unstructured environments.</span></li> <li class="p2" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Bonus Points:&nbsp;&nbsp;</span> <ul> <li>Proficiency in Python or C++.</li> <li>Experience developing, implementing, and/or training human-in-the-loop remote assistance tools for autonomous vehicles</li> <li>Experience with requirements and test management tools such as JAMA or similar.</li> <li>Experienced in the Systems Engineering V-Model and its application to V&amp;V workflows.</li> <li>Knowledge of safety critical development standards (e.g. ISO 26262) and familiarity with SOTIF and UL4600.</li> </ul> </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 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-pay-transparency"><div class="pay-input"><div class="description"><p>The pay range listed below reflects the base salary&nbsp;<strong data-stringify-type="bold">in our SF/Silicon Valley location,&nbsp;</strong>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</p></div><div class="title">California Pay Range</div><div class="pay-range"><span>$120,000</span><span class="divider">&mdash;</span><span>$160,000 USD</span></div></div></div><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>