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Senior Software Engineer, Controls (MATLAB)

Kodiak

Job Location:

Mountain View, CA - USA

Monthly Salary: $ 190000 - 260000

Posted: 14 May 2026 (30+ days ago)

Application Deadline: 19 October 2026

Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

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 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 an experienced Controls Software Engineer who is passionate about safety-critical motion control to join our Motion Planning & Controls team.

In this role you will:

Be responsible for designing and implementing our feedback control and actuation strategies using both established & novel techniques
Architect develop and test reliable redundant and safety-critical software that controls fully-loaded trucks driving on the road
Characterize the vehicle platform (e.g. steering braking throttle/engine management dynamics) to develop models that can be used for precise motion planning simulation and controls
Work on fundamental problems in redundant actuation degraded operation and fail-safe control
Collaborate with other teams at Kodiak (e.g. hardware embedded systems and systems engineering) to deliver a robust vehicle control architecture
Create requirement specifications implement features plan testing and document results

What youll bring:

Software development experience writing production-level MATLAB & Simulink
Experience with automatic code generation from MATLAB / Simulink to embedded C / C
Development testing and tuning of controllers for mobile autonomous robots ideally trucks cars or flying vehicles
System identification modeling simulation and characterization of systems with complex dynamics
A strong theoretical foundation paired with practical experience in controls system modeling and redundant architectures
A focus on end-to-end vehicle safety

Bonus points if you have:

Effective development of production C
Expertise with hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing
Experience with software design and implementation in safety-critical domains (e.g. automotive aerospace medical etc)
Written low-level drivers for software/hardware interfacing using protocols such as CAN or ethernet
Written efficient code running on resource-constrained embedded systems with a real-time operating system
Experience with formal verification methods writing requirements and systems engineering processes
Drafted safety goals and requirements with traceability following the ISO26262 process

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 salaryin our SF/Silicon Valley locationacross 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

$190000 - $260000 USD

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.

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 candidates residence U.S. person status and/or citizenship status. Should the position require and Kodiak determines that a candidates 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 Kodiaks sole discretion or as an alternative opt not to proceed with the candidates application. If applicable Kodiak may provide visa sponsorship for eligible candidates.

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( 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 with Separate Review Request in the email subject line.

Required Experience:

Senior IC

Apply Now

About Company

Kodiak

Our purpose-built autonomous solution, the Kodiak Driver, is the AV industry’s most advanced driverless technology, seamlessly integrating into any driving platform for reliable movement in any environment. Learn how we’re shaping the future of ground transportation.

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