Software Engineer, Controls (C++)
Kodiak · Mountain View, CA
$145,000–$190,000
Jul 20, 2026
Mountain View, CA
Jul 22, 2026
What this job asks for AI summary
A controls-focused software engineering role on the team responsible for how autonomous semi-trucks physically move. Day-to-day work involves writing safety-critical C++ to implement and tune control and actuation strategies, characterizing vehicle dynamics (braking, steering, acceleration), and building motion-prediction models for both real trucks and simulation. The role suits engineers with a background in robotics or control theory who have shipped production vehicular controls software.
Mid level · 2+ years · San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA · Full-time
Pay in the description: $145,000–$190,000
“or” means any one of them counts — you don't need all of them.
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 4,450 people in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA area plausibly meet what this posting asks for (software developers). range 2,350–5,800
Applicant volume Moderate — A normal amount of company. The rare requirements below are what will separate a shortlisted application from the rest.
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 title is 'Software Engineer' with no level modifier; advertised seniority is Unspecified. The 2+ years of vehicular controls experience and scope of responsibilities (production-level, safety-critical, highway driving) support a Mid-level classification.
The pay range ($145K–$190K) is stated as spanning 'several internal levels' in the SF/Silicon Valley market, so actual placement within that band will vary by experience.
'Vehicular controls software' is listed as a named domain requirement (2+ years) rather than a generic concept — it is the primary technical gate alongside C++. It is retained as a skill because the JD explicitly quantifies years against it.
CAN and Ethernet appear together as example protocols for low-level driver work under the 'Bonus points' section; CAN is listed as primary with Ethernet as an alternative since they are presented as interchangeable options for the same interfacing requirement.
Python and MATLAB/Simulink appear explicitly under 'Bonus points' (preferred), as do RTOS, CAN/Ethernet, formal verification, and safety-critical domain experience.
The posting notes that some roles may require export-license review or U.S. person/citizenship verification due to DoD work, but no formal security clearance is hard-gated in this posting.
Read the full posting
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