Senior Software Engineer, Planning ML Integration
About The Position
Kodiak Robotics, Inc. is a leader in autonomous ground transportation, developing an AI-powered technology stack for commercial trucking and the public sector. The company delivers freight daily across the southern United States using its autonomous technology and is developing, testing, and deploying autonomous capabilities for the U.S. Department of Defense. This role focuses on building the next generation of planning capabilities by integrating learned models into autonomous vehicle decision-making, translating neural network outputs to reliable vehicle behaviors, and enhancing the motion planner with machine learning models. The position involves defining interfaces, requirements, and integration strategies to improve decision-making in complex environments, as well as contributing to the evolution of the planning stack through new features, algorithm improvements, and architectural enhancements. It's a high-impact role for an engineer interested in bridging disciplines, shaping emerging capabilities, and advancing state-of-the-art autonomy.
Requirements
- Strong software engineering skills with proficiency in C++.
- Experience integrating ML models or learned components into a real-time system.
- A strong background in robotics, planning, optimization, and mathematics (MS, PhD, or equivalent experience).
- Industry experience in robotics or autonomous driving.
- Experience working in large-scale or safety-critical systems with strict performance requirements.
- Experience evaluating or interpreting ML model outputs.
- Strong analytical skills, including the ability to reason about algorithmic trade-offs and system behavior.
- Excellent communication skills and comfort working across teams.
- A desire to collaborate with other teams outside of planning.
Nice To Haves
- Python proficiency is a plus.
Responsibilities
- Incorporate neural networks into the planning stack, working closely with ML, perception, and systems teams.
- Evaluate how learned inputs influence planner performance, in simulation and on-road.
- Architect fallback, hybrid, or arbitration strategies that maintain safety and reliability when learned models are uncertain or degraded.
- Contribute to the broader planning system by designing and implementing new planning behaviors, search strategies, optimizations, and structural improvements.
- Write high-quality C++ code that meets real-time constraints and supports safety-critical deployment.
- Participate in code reviews, design discussions, and cross-team planning to ensure alignment and technical excellence.
Benefits
- 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
- 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.)
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
