Software Engineer, Embedded at Kodiak
San Francisco, CA
$150,000–$210,000
Jul 20, 2026
San Francisco, CA
Jul 22, 2026
What this job asks for AI summary
An embedded software engineering role focused on the low-level software that connects an autonomous semi-truck's hardware to its broader systems. Day-to-day work spans hardware bring-up in the lab, debugging truck functions such as braking and steering, and writing C/C++ code for embedded platforms and sensors including cameras, radar, lidar, and IMUs. Suits engineers with hands-on experience in hardware communication protocols and embedded systems, ideally from automotive or aerospace backgrounds.
Mid level · 2+ years · San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA · Full-time
Pay in the description: $150,000–$210,000
We read this from the posting text with AI. Skim the description below before ruling yourself out.
How this req sits in the market our data
Roughly 290 people in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA area plausibly meet what this posting asks for (software developers). range 75–370
Applicant volume Light — Few people clear these requirements, so an application that does clear them gets looked at. Worth applying to even if you miss a nice-to-have.
Rare in this occupation — lead with these, and say what you built with them.
What the occupation pays Median $217,796 (middle half $177,469–$231,052). This posting is about at that midpoint.
Estimated from BLS employment for this occupation and area, per-skill prevalence across our listing corpus, and published wage benchmarks — as of Jul 28, 2026. It is a model, not a headcount.
Why we read it this way (6)
The posted pay range ($150,000–$210,000) spans 'several internal levels' in the SF/Silicon Valley area, so the actual band for this specific role may be narrower.
The JD requires 2+ years of experience and gates on C++ and low-level hardware bus protocols (I2C, CAN, SPI, UART, PCIe, Automotive Ethernet) — these are listed under the 'What you'll bring' requirements section and are treated as hard gates.
Sensor software (Camera, Radar, Lidar, IMU) and time synchronization are described as part of the role's scope or as a 'plus' rather than explicit gates, so they are marked preferred.
Degree requirement is None: the JD explicitly accepts 'equivalent experience' in lieu of a BS/MS.
The posting notes that roles with sensitive requirements may be limited to U.S. persons; no formal clearance is stated as a hard gate, so the clearance requirement is set to None.
The role is office-based in Mountain View, CA (within the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara CBSA); no remote option is mentioned.
Read the full posting
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