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Staff Software Engineer, Motion Planning

Kodiak

Job Location:

Mountain View, CA - USA

Yearly Salary: USD 185000 - 245000

Posted: 29 October 2026 (5 hours ago)

Application Deadline: 26 January 2027

Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

Kodiak AI Inc. (Nasdaq: KDK) founded in 2018 is a leader in Physical AI developing driverless technology that powers machines that move. Its Kodiak Driver is a vehicle-agnostic autonomous driving system that combines AI-powered software with modular hardware. Today it operates in long-haul trucking industrial trucking and 2024 Kodiak launched commercial Driver-as-a-Service operations with no one in the cab and plans to launch driverless long-haul service between Dallas and Houston by the end of 2026.

Kodiak has partnered with many of the biggest names in freight including Bosch for scaled hardware production AWS and leading customers including Atlas Energy Solutions IKEA Bridgestone Werner Enterprises C.R. England Roehl Transport and General Dynamics Land Systems.

We are looking for a Staff Software Engineer to help build and improve behavior planning and motion planning systems for autonomous this role you will own planning features end to end from design and implementation through validation deployment and analysis.

You will work on real-world autonomy behavior and help the system make safe comfortable and effective decisions in complex driving scenarios. This role is ideal for someone with strong planning experience who enjoys building production-quality autonomy software and collaborating across the autonomy stack

In this role you will

Design implement and improve motion planning features.
Own planning projects from problem definition through deployment.
Debug autonomy behavior using logs simulation metrics and real-world data.
Improve how the autonomy system balances safety comfort progress and operational constraints.
Collaborate with teams across Prediction Controls Perception ML Simulation Systems and Safety.
Define success metrics and validation plans for planning features.
Write production-quality C software.
Participate in technical design reviews code reviews and architecture discussions.
Lead and mentor junior and senior engineers.

What youll bring

Leadership ideally managing direct reports while being a leader who is not afraid to roll their sleeves up and set the example.
Experience in behavior planning motion planning decision-making robotics autonomous vehicles or related areas.
Strong software engineering skills preferably in C (Yes you will still code).
Experience building autonomy software in industrial production or near-production environments.
Ability to debug complex robotics or autonomy behavior using logs metrics and simulation.
Strong system-level judgment around safety comfort and deployment readiness.
Strong collaboration and communication skills

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

$185000 - $245000 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:

Staff 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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