Safety/Compliance Technical Program Manager

Kodiak Robotics, Inc. was founded in 2018 and has become the trusted world leader in autonomous ground transportation committed to a safer and more efficient future for all. The company is developing an industry-leading artificial intelligence (AI) powered technology stack purpose-built for driverless long-haul trucking applications. Kodiak’s unique modular hardware approach integrates sensors into a streamlined sensor-pod structure that optimizes for perception, scalability, and maintainability. The company autonomously delivers freight daily for its commercial customers across the Sun Belt states and for Atlas Energy in the Permian Basin. Kodiak also leverages its commercial self-driving software to develop, test and deploy autonomous capabilities for the U.S. Department of Defense.
We are looking for a Technical Program Manager (TPM) to drive the development and execution of our safety framework across all product lines. In this role, you will work closely with Safety, Systems Engineering, Cybersecurity, Legal, Manufacturing, and Operations to ensure safety-critical initiatives are delivered efficiently and at the highest standards.
Join Kodiak to be at the forefront of the autonomous trucking revolution, work alongside top minds in robotics, AI, and logistics, and be an accelerator to real-world Product deployments.
Kodiak is a highly collaborative organization based in Mountain View, CA. This role requires an in-office presence with some limited travel expected.

In this role, you will:

• Lead cross-functional collaboration with Safety and Systems teams to advance Kodiak’s safety framework.
• Develop and maintain technical execution roadmaps that align safety requirements, dependencies, and timelines across multiple teams.
• Track and manage the progress of the safety framework, defining schedules, milestones, and resource allocation to meet program objectives.
• Communicate program status, priorities, risks, and dependencies to stakeholders across all levels of the organization.
• Oversee the planning and execution of system-level hazard analysis, ensuring comprehensive traceability of potential safety issues from requirements through implementation, verification, and validation.
• Identify and mitigate risks, resolve barriers, and proactively drive decision-making to keep programs moving forward.
• Manage Kodiak’s Configuration Management system to maintain safety-critical documentation and version control.

What you'll bring:

• 5+ years of program management experience in a technical field.
• 2+ years of experience with Agile methodologies (Scrum, Kanban).
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Automotive Engineering, Robotics, Computer Science, Systems Engineering, or a related field.
• Hands-on experience with at least one safety standard, such as ISO 26262, UL 4600, or ISO 21448.
• Proven ability to manage complex, fast-paced programs with multiple stakeholders, shifting priorities, and tight deadlines.
• Experience in automotive, trucking, or autonomous vehicle industries, preferably in a startup environment.
• Strong expertise in project management tools (e.g., JIRA, Confluence, Lucidchart).
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to balance engineering and product requirements while maintaining high safety standards.
• Passion for autonomous vehicles and their transformative potential in the trucking industry.

If you are excited about driving safety programs in autonomous trucking with a strong bias for action, we’d love to hear from you!

What we offer:

• Competitive compensation package including equity and biannual bonuses
• Excellent Medical, Dental, and Vision plans through Kaiser Permanente, Anthem, and Guardian (including a medical plan with infertility benefits)
• Flexible PTO and generous parental leave policies
• 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, One Medical, Gympass, Spring Health
• Fidelity 401(k)
• Commuter, FSA, Dependent Care FSA, HSA
• Various incentive programs (referral bonuses, patent bonuses, etc.)

The annual salary range for this full-time position is $180,000-$250,000 + bonus + equity + benefits. Actual salary ranges will be based on job-related factors, including exact work location, experience, relevant training and education, and skill level. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for the role location or, if the role can be performed remote, the specific salary range for your preferred location, during the hiring process. Please note that the compensation details listed above are base salary only and do not include bonus, equity, or benefits.
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.