Kodiak Robotics Logo

Kodiak Robotics

Head of Hardware TPM

Posted 18 Days Ago
Be an Early Applicant
In-Office
Mountain View, CA, USA
195K-260K Annually
Expert/Leader
In-Office
Mountain View, CA, USA
195K-260K Annually
Expert/Leader
Leads hardware technical program management across sensor, compute, electrical/mechanical integration, and vehicle platforms. Owns roadmaps, schedules, risks, design and gate reviews, change management, executive reporting, and fleet deployment. Manages and develops three TPMs while partnering with engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, operations, and safety teams. Establishes organization-wide hardware program processes, tooling, metrics, and prioritization practices, supporting complex autonomous vehicle hardware programs from concept through validation and production.
The summary above was generated by AI

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.

Head of Hardware Technical Program Management 

About the Role
We're looking for a Head of Hardware TPM to lead program management across our hardware organization, spanning sensor systems, compute, electrical/mechanical integration, and vehicle-level hardware platforms. You'll own the end-to-end execution rigor that gets hardware from concept through validation to fleet deployment, and you'll lead a team of 3 TPMs covering these programs. This is a leadership role reporting directly to the Director of Program, with high visibility across Engineering, Operations, and executive leadership.

What You'll Do

  • Own the hardware program roadmap: schedules, milestones, dependencies, and risk tracking across concurrent hardware programs (sensors, compute, harnessing, vehicle integration, etc.)
  • Lead and grow a team of 3 TPMs, setting standards for program rigor, reporting, and cross-functional communication, and developing them as they take on increasing scope
  • Partner closely with Hardware Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Operations, and Safety/Compliance to de-risk programs before they become fire drills
  • Drive design reviews, gate reviews, and change management processes (ECOs/ECRs) to keep programs moving without sacrificing quality
  • Own escalation paths: identify blockers early, drive resolution, and know when to pull in leadership
  • Create and maintain program-level visibility for executives: status reporting, risk registers, and roadmap health
  • Set the strategic direction for hardware program management processes, tooling, and metrics org-wide (e.g., PLM systems, release processes)
  • Represent hardware program status in cross-functional, executive, and customer-facing settings as needed
  • Act as a key partner to hardware engineering leadership on org design, resourcing, and prioritization tradeoffs

What We're Looking For

  • 10+ years in technical program management, with deep experience in hardware (mechanical, electrical, or systems-level), robotics, automotive, aerospace, or similar hardware-intensive industries strongly preferred
  • 4+ years managing TPMs or program managers directly, with experience developing senior ICs
  • Deep familiarity with hardware development lifecycles: DFM/DFA, EVT/DVT/PVT-style validation gates, ECO/PLM processes
  • Proven track record shipping complex hardware systems on schedule at scale, with a bias toward identifying and killing risk early
  • Excellent executive communication: able to distill complex, multi-workstream programs into clear risk/status narratives for leadership
  • Comfortable owning ambiguous, high-stakes problems with no clean home
  • Bonus: experience with autonomous vehicle systems, sensor hardware (lidar/radar/camera), or safety-critical hardware development

Why This Role Matters
Hardware programs are the backbone of getting real vehicles into the real world. This role will set the direction for how hardware program management scales as the org grows, balancing speed, quality, and risk across a widening portfolio of programs.

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
$195,000—$260,000 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 candidate’s residence, U.S. person status, and/or citizenship status. Should the position require, and Kodiak determines that a candidate’s 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 Kodiak’s sole discretion, or, as an alternative, opt not to proceed with the candidate’s 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](https://endorsed.com/local-law-144). 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 [email protected] with "Separate Review Request" in the email subject line.

HQ

Kodiak Robotics Mountain View, California, USA Office

1045 Terra Bella Ave, Mountain View, CA, United States, 94043

Similar Jobs

3 Minutes Ago
In-Office
Milpitas, CA, USA
Entry level
Entry level
Events • Food • Travel • Hospitality • Hotels & Resorts
Prepare and serve beverages, provide friendly guest service, maintain bar inventory and supplies, process payments through the point-of-sale system, monitor product quality, address intoxicated guests professionally, and follow health, safety, sanitation, and alcohol-awareness regulations. The role requires a variable evening schedule, including Thursdays and Sundays, and service at hotel manager’s receptions.
Top Skills: Point-Of-Sale System
3 Minutes Ago
In-Office
Burlingame, CA, USA
Entry level
Entry level
Events • Food • Travel • Hospitality • Hotels & Resorts
Cleans and maintains assigned hotel guest rooms, including beds, bathrooms, floors, dusting, and deep-cleaning tasks. Replenishes linens and amenities, stocks and transports housekeeping supplies, responds courteously to guest requests, and disposes of waste and recyclables. Requires full availability for varied shifts, weekends, and holidays. Previous hotel cleaning experience is preferred.
3 Minutes Ago
In-Office
South San Francisco, CA, USA
Entry level
Entry level
Events • Food • Travel • Hospitality • Hotels & Resorts
Cleans and maintains assigned hotel guest rooms, including beds, bathrooms, floors, linens, amenities, and deep-cleaning tasks. Restocks housekeeping supplies, transports the supply cart, disposes of waste and recyclables, and responds courteously to guest requests. The role requires schedule flexibility and preferably prior hotel housekeeping experience while delivering high-quality guest service.

What you need to know about the San Francisco Tech Scene

San Francisco and the surrounding Bay Area attracts more startup funding than any other region in the world. Home to Stanford University and UC Berkeley, leading VC firms and several of the world’s most valuable companies, the Bay Area is the place to go for anyone looking to make it big in the tech industry. That said, San Francisco has a lot to offer beyond technology thanks to a thriving art and music scene, excellent food and a short drive to several of the country’s most beautiful recreational areas.

Key Facts About San Francisco Tech

  • Number of Tech Workers: 365,500; 13.9% of overall workforce (2024 CompTIA survey)
  • Major Tech Employers: Google, Apple, Salesforce, Meta
  • Key Industries: Artificial intelligence, cloud computing, fintech, consumer technology, software
  • Funding Landscape: $50.5 billion in venture capital funding in 2024 (Pitchbook)
  • Notable Investors: Sequoia Capital, Andreessen Horowitz, Bessemer Venture Partners, Greylock Partners, Khosla Ventures, Kleiner Perkins
  • Research Centers and Universities: Stanford University; University of California, Berkeley; University of San Francisco; Santa Clara University; Ames Research Center; Center for AI Safety; California Institute for Regenerative Medicine

Sign up now Access later

Create Free Account

Please log in or sign up to report this job.

Create Free Account