Staff Autonomy Software Engineer, Localization
About this role
The Calibration, Localization and Mapping team at Kodiak builds an artificial intelligence-powered technology stack purpose-built for commercial trucking and the public sector, including autonomous capabilities for the U.S. Department of Defense. Operating out of Mountain View, California, this team develops advanced sensor fusion, pose estimation, and onboard navigation systems that transform raw sensor data into reliable 6-DOF positioning.
As a Staff Software Engineer for Localization, the selected individual will set the technical strategy and architecture for onboard navigation, guide visual and lidar odometry algorithms, and serve as an escalation point for complex cross-cutting problems. Responsibilities also include evaluating sensor performance, optimizing sensor selection, and verifying calibration settings while mentoring engineers across the organization.
Ideal candidates bring a strong technical background in state estimation, inertial navigation, and sensed odometry, combined with advanced expertise in C++ and Python. This role suits a hands-on technical leader who thrives in ambiguous environments, communicates clearly through design documentation, and takes ownership of foundational infrastructure for autonomous vehicles.
What you will do
- Set the technical strategy and architecture for onboard navigation and pose estimation systems.
- Lead the design and development of advanced sensor fusion and pose estimation approaches across IMU, camera, and lidar sensors.
- Drive the direction of visual and lidar odometry algorithms by evaluating build-versus-adopt tradeoffs for new techniques.
- Define and evangelize navigation metrics and evaluation methodology used across the organization to assess algorithm performance.
- Serve as a technical escalation point for complex, ambiguous, or cross-cutting localization problems.
- Evaluate sensor performance, optimize sensor selection, and verify correct sensor calibrations, settings, and uncertainty characterizations.
What you need
- Hold a Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD degree with academic or industry experience in building navigation, localization, and odometry systems.
- Demonstrate expert-level programming skills in C++ alongside strong problem-solving capabilities.
- Possess robust software engineering experience in building high-reliability deployed applications with maintainable code.
- Bring deep experience transforming raw sensor data from GNSS, IMU, and wheel speed into 6-DOF pose using Kalman Filtering, factor graphs, or comparable state estimation techniques.
- Have a history of mentoring engineers and elevating the technical practices of a team.
- Show experience with computer vision, visual odometry, and odometry derived from point clouds.
Benefits
- Competitive compensation package including equity and annual bonuses
- Medical, Dental, and Vision plans through Kaiser Permanente, Cigna, and MetLife
- Flexible PTO, 10 paid holidays, and generous parental leave policies
- Office perks including dog-friendly facilities, free catered lunch, a fully stocked kitchen, and free EV charging
- Long Term Disability, Short Term Disability, Life Insurance, and various wellbeing benefits
- Fidelity 401(k) and commuter benefits
Skills and tech stack
Questions candidates ask
What is the location and remote work policy for this role?
The office is centrally located in Mountain View, CA, and features office perks such as dog-friendly spaces, free catered lunch, a fully stocked kitchen, and free EV charging.
What is the pay range for this position?
The base salary pay range in the SF/Silicon Valley location is $200,000 to $260,000 USD, with actual starting pay based on job-related factors including work location, experience, relevant training, education, skill level, and performance during interview.
What technologies and methods will I be working with?
The role involves working with onboard navigation and pose estimation systems across IMU, camera, and lidar sensors, transforming raw sensor data from GNSS, IMU, and wheel speed into 6-DOF pose using C++, Kalman Filtering, factor graphs, or comparable state estimation techniques.
Is visa sponsorship available?
If applicable, Kodiak may provide visa sponsorship for eligible candidates.