Senior Systems Engineer – Electrical & Embedded Systems

Kodiak•Mountain View, CA

10h

About The Position

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 Systems Engineer to join us and support the development, integration, and verification of electrical and embedded systems as we bring the Kodiak Autonomy System to market. This role focuses on system and subsystem behavior across electrical hardware, embedded software, communications, and power, with opportunities to grow into broader system architecture ownership over time. The emphasis is on hands-on execution, fault-aware design, and real-world validation on vehicle platforms operating across approved operational design domains. The purpose of this role is to ensure that electrical subsystems and embedded behavior are robust, fault-aware, and verifiable, while providing a growth path toward broader system architecture responsibility as the autonomy platform scales.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or higher in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience in a high-technology environment
Minimum 5 years' experience working at the system and subsystem level for autonomous, automotive, industrial, or safety-critical systems
Strong experience with electrical and embedded system analysis, including Power distribution and protection, Network communications and physical-layer behavior (CAN, LIN, Ethernet), and Hardware–software interaction and timing
Experience designing for and reasoning about fault management, including Watchdogs and supervisory mechanisms, and Electrical fault detection and recovery
Familiarity with safety-aware system design concepts, safety design patterns, and fault containment strategies
Experience working in the context of safety standards such as ISO 26262 or similar
Experience with system and subsystem verification and validation, including: Bench-level testing and Hardware-in-the-loop (HiL) or similar environments
Ability to read, understand, and critique Electrical schematics and board designs (e.g., Altium) and Embedded C/C++ code related to hardware behavior and fault handling
Working knowledge of configuration management and traceability from requirements to implementation and test

Nice To Haves

experience using Python for validation, test automation, or data analysis
experience with power distribution systems (12V / 24V / 48V domains)
Familiarity with BASE-T, BASE-T1, GMSL2
Knowledge of higher-layer networking concepts (UDP/TCP, Linux networking)
Experience with DFMEA or similar failure analysis methods
Hands-on experience with vehicle integration, harnessing, or electrical bring-up

Responsibilities

Support and contribute to system and subsystem-level design associated with applying the Kodiak Autonomy System to multiple truck platforms and operating environments
Own and drive execution of electrical and embedded subsystems, including: Power distribution and protection
Electrical fault detection, recovery, and safe-state behavior
Hardware–software interaction and supervisory mechanisms
Gather stakeholder needs and translate them into clear, testable system and electrical requirements
Develop and assess subsystem-level solutions, evaluating power draw and power integrity, network communications (CAN, LIN, Ethernet), and fault behavior and degraded modes
Assess performance and robustness through analysis, design review, and hands-on validation
Support system architecture efforts by providing subsystem trade studies, design reviews and technical input, and Verification and validation evidence
Guide and support hardware and software teams in generating the work products needed to mature subsystem designs, including electrical schematics and board designs, embedded firmware behavior, and verification and validation artifacts
Drive subsystem readiness to support truck builds, integration, and test
Develop and maintain technical documentation, including subsystem diagrams and interface definitions and fault and dependency mappings
Interface and communicate effectively with Hardware, Software, Infrastructure, Product, Systems, and Safety teams
Support bench testing, vehicle integration, and test-site activities as needed
Up to 10% travel to test sites may be required

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
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.)