Staff Software Engineer – Learned & Hybrid Behavior Planning

Kodiak

Staff Software Engineer integrating learned models into behavior planning for autonomous vehicles. Working cross-functionally to improve autonomous driving capabilities at Kodiak Robotics.

Posted 6/24/2026full-timeMountain View • California • 🇺🇸 United StatesLead💰 $240,000 - $265,000 per yearWebsite

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

Python

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Lead Planning-side integration of learned models into the behavior planning stack.
Collaborate closely with ML teams on model improvements, requirements, evaluation, and deployment.
Work on learned planning components as well as other ML-driven planning signals, such as behavior classification, actor intent understanding, and data-driven decision-making.
Design integration strategies that balance learned components with existing heuristic planning systems.
Define validation, fallback, monitoring, and safety criteria for learned planning components.
Debug and analyze model behavior using simulation, logs, metrics, and real-world autonomy data.
Partner with cross-functional teams across Perception, ML, Planning, Simulation, Systems, and Safety.
Lead technical designs and mentor other engineers.

Requirements

What you’ll need

Strong experience in autonomous vehicles, robotics, or a related autonomy domain.
Deep technical background in behavior planning, decision-making, or motion planning.
Strong software engineering skills with proficiency in C++. Python proficiency is a plus.
Experience working with heuristic or classical planning systems.
Experience integrating or developing learned behavior policies, behavior classification, trajectory prediction, or actor intent models.
Ability to reason about safety, system behavior, evaluation, and deployment risk.
Excellent cross-functional communication and technical leadership skills.

Benefits

Comp & perks

Total compensation includes base pay, equity, bonus, and a competitive benefits package

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

C++Pythonbehavior planningdecision-makingmotion planninglearned behavior policiesbehavior classificationtrajectory predictionactor intent modelsheuristic planning systems

Soft Skills

cross-functional communicationtechnical leadershipmentoring