Senior Autonomy Engineer

Job overview

The Senior Autonomy Engineer role is onsite in San Francisco, CA; compensation is $190,000–$230,000 per year in the stated California pay range. Kodiak develops autonomous driving technology for trucking, industrial, and defense applications, with a safety team focused on demonstrating the safety of autonomous trucks. The engineer develops and evaluates safety methods for autonomous driving systems, identifying failure modes and analyzing hazards before they arise on roads. The work informs system requirements and design decisions and validates safety claims through structured simulation, track, on-road, and hardware-in-the-loop testing.

What you'll do

• Write C++ to search high-dimensional failure spaces
• develop safety requirements for perception, localization, prediction, motion planning, and control with autonomy software teams
• identify failure modes and edge cases
• perform hazard analysis, risk assessments, and fault tree analysis
• analyze autonomy design trade-offs
• lead and support simulation, track, on-road, and hardware-in-the-loop testing
• develop new methods to meet safety targets
• promote safety thinking across teams.

What we're looking for

Skills & competencies

senior autonomy engineer

san francisco ca

kodiak

autonomous driving

autonomy safety

c++

python

hazard analysis

fault tree analysis

simulation testing

$190k–$230k

visa sponsorship may be available

Work arrangement

• Weekend coverage required

Benefits & perks

• Medical, dental, and vision plans
• legal services
• identity and fraud protection
• disability and life insurance
• flexible PTO
• 10 paid holidays
• parental leave
• 401(k)
• commuter, FSA, dependent care FSA, and HSA options
• wellbeing programs
• incentive programs.

Why this role

The posting lists a California base salary range of $190,000–$230,000, plus equity, annual bonuses, and benefits. It seeks an M.S. or Ph.D. in a relevant technical field and experience with safety analysis methods and safety-critical standards. Visa sponsorship may be available for eligible candidates.

About the employer

Kodiak is hiring for this role. Industry: Engineering Services. Sector: 54.