Develop and integrate onboard navigation, sensor fusion, and pose estimation algorithms for autonomous trucking. Optimize IMU, camera, and lidar-based odometry and evaluate sensor performance, calibrations, and navigation metrics. Collaborate across teams, produce clear design documentation, and deliver high-reliability deployed software.
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.
We are looking for a Localization Engineer --- a problem solver with solid expertise in state estimation, inertial navigation, and sensed odometry.
In this role, you will:
- Develop and integrate onboard navigation and pose estimation algorithms.
- Optimize sensor fusion and pose estimation using IMU, camera, and lidar sensors.
- Develop visual and lidar odometry algorithms.
- Develop navigation metrics for evaluating offboard and onboard performance of algorithms and systems in the autonomous trucking domain.
- Troubleshoot, problem solve, innovate, create, and collaborate.
- Evaluate sensor performance and optimize sensor selection.
- Verify correct sensor calibrations, settings, and uncertainty characterizations.
What you’ll bring:
- Strong technical background. BS, MS or PhD with academic or industry experience in building navigation, localization, and odometry systems.
- Skilled in C++ and strong problem-solving skills.
- Strong software engineering skills and experience building high-reliability deployed applications . You write well-designed, highly maintainable code. Code is your craft.
- Experience with transforming raw sensor data from GNSS, IMU, wheel speed, etc into 6-DOF pose using common approaches like Kalman Filtering or factor graphs.
- Experience with computer vision, visual odometry, and/or odometry from point clouds
- Solid understanding of metrics, data analysis, and scientific evaluation.
- A team player. You take ownership and work with the team to deliver exceptional results. You are interested in the performance of the entire system across engineering disciplines.
- Ability to build and iterate quickly. You enjoy working fast and smart, and you are comfortable in defining and building lasting infrastructure components from scratch.
- Hands on. Curious. Flexible. Interested in new domains to expand your horizons and provide a complete system wide solution.
- Great communicator. You have experience writing clear, concise design documentation to gather feedback from across the team to find the best solution.
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—$230,000 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.
Kodiak Robotics Mountain View, California, USA Office
1045 Terra Bella Ave, Mountain View, CA, United States, 94043
Similar Jobs
Automotive • Logistics
Design, implement, and optimize real-time visual odometry and visual-inertial localization pipelines in modern C++ for autonomous vehicles. Integrate camera-based VO with IMU/GPS/other sensors, collaborate with mapping/perception/control teams, analyze and improve system robustness in diverse conditions, mentor engineers, and transition research into production.
Top Skills:
C++CudaGitGpsImuLidarLinuxOpencvOpenglOpenvinsOrb-SlamRosRos2SlamVins-FusionVioVisual Odometry
Automotive • Logistics
Design and implement real-time sensor fusion, GPS-IMU fusion, and SLAM-based localization and odometry algorithms for autonomous vehicles. Integrate localization with perception, mapping, and control, validate in simulation and real-world tests, optimize for real-time constraints, and debug using large-scale field data to improve robustness and accuracy.
Top Skills:
C++Gnss/InsGpsImuKalman FilteringLidarMatlabNon-Linear OptimizationPythonRosRos2SimulinkSlam
Aerospace • Computer Vision • Robotics • Defense
Lead design and deployment of visual localization and sensor-fusion systems for GPS-denied drones. Own algorithm development, architecture decisions, tooling, data pipelines, evaluation frameworks, and testing in simulation and real-world flights to improve accuracy, robustness, and onboard performance.
Top Skills:
BarometerC++CameraCompassImuMap MatchingPythonSensor FusionSlamVioVisual Localization
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
