Kodiak Robotics

Senior Vehicle Integration Engineer - Defense

Kodiak Robotics$180K — $210K *
Aerospace & Defense
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • BS or MS in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering
  • 6+ years in autonomous vehicle or automotive industry
  • Experience leading new platform integration from concept to validation
  • Strong systems thinking and problem-solving skills
  • Hands-on with automotive electronics, Ethernet and CAN protocols
  • Proficient in scripting with Python or MATLAB
  • CAD experience with SolidWorks

Responsibilities

  • Lead system-level integration of vehicle systems and sensors
  • Drive integration lifecycle from architecture to sign-off
  • Develop and execute structured test plans for new platforms
  • Coordinate cross-functional integration events across teams
  • Provide Design-For-Manufacturing and Design-For-Test feedback
  • Maintain comprehensive platform documentation
  • Identify, triage, and resolve integration issues

Benefits

  • Competitive compensation package including equity and bonuses
  • Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision plans
  • Flexible PTO and generous parental leave policies
  • Dog-friendly office with free catered lunch
  • Wellbeing benefits including mental health support programs
  • Commuter benefits and 401(k) options
  • Various incentive programs including referral bonuses
Full Job Description
We are looking for a Senior Vehicle Integration Engineer with deep experience in new platform development and system-level integration. This role is at the forefront of bringing next-generation autonomous vehicle platforms to life - from early-stage concept through integration, validation, and deployment. You will work closely with hardware, systems, and manufacturing teams to drive new platform development, with a focus on integration quality, test rigor, and technical execution.

In this role, you will:
  • Lead system-level integration of sensors, compute, actuation, and vehicle systems for new platform development programs
  • Drive the full integration lifecycle: architecture definition, build planning, bring-up, validation, and sign-off
  • Develop and execute structured test plans to validate new platform functionality, performance, and reliability
  • Coordinate and lead cross-functional build and integration events with Mechanical, Electrical, Manufacturing, and Systems teams
  • Provide Design-For-Manufacturing and Design-For-Test feedback to ensure new platforms are built for quality and scale
  • Develop and maintain comprehensive platform documentation including drawings, schematics, BOMs, build instructions, and test reports
  • Identify, triage, and resolve integration issues through systematic debugging and root cause analysis
  • Partner with systems and hardware engineering teams to define integration requirements and acceptance criteria for new platforms

What you'll bring:
  • Strong technical background. BS or MS in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering
  • 6+ years of experience in the autonomous vehicle, automotive, or a related industry
  • Demonstrated experience leading new platform or new product integration programs from early development through validation
  • Strong systems thinking and problem-solving skills; you are energized by complex, multi-disciplinary integration challenges
  • Hands-on. You are equally comfortable with a wrench and a keyboard. Confident with automotive electronics and familiar with communication protocols and tools such as Ethernet and CAN
  • Experience with scripting and data analysis languages such as Python or MATLAB
  • Understanding of Linux-based systems and computer networking
  • CAD experience with packages such as SolidWorks
  • A team leader. Whether formally or informally, you have played the lead role on multiple integration or development programs. You take ownership and drive teams to deliver results
  • Great communicator. You write clear, concise, and detailed technical documentation, and are skilled at leading and participating in cross-functional design and integration reviews
  • Proven ability to drive testing through development, execution, analysis, corrective actions, and final report-outs across all stages of product development
  • U.S. person required

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 salary in our SF/Silicon Valley location, 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

California Pay Range

$180,000-$210,000 USD

About Kodiak Robotics

Kodiak Robotics is a startup that is developing autonomous trucks for long-haul freight transportation. The company was founded in 2018 by Don Burnette and Paz Eshel, both former employees of the self-driving truck company Otto. Kodiak's trucks use a combination of sensors, cameras, and software to navigate highways and other roads without a human driver. The company has raised $40 million in funding from investors including Battery Ventures and CRV. Kodiak is headquartered in Mountain View, California, and has a testing facility in North Texas.
Learn more about Kodiak Robotics
Size
101 employees
Market Cap
$347.1 million
Industry
Net Income
-$133.1 million
Founded
2016
NASDAQ

Similar Jobs

More Jobs at Kodiak Robotics

More Aerospace & Defense Jobs

Find similar Senior Vehicle Integration Engineer - Defense jobs: