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Software Engineer, Computational Geometry (Autonomy)

Kodiak Sciences Inc
16 days ago
Full-time
On-site
San Francisco Bay Area
IT

Kodiak Robotics, Inc. was founded in 2018 and has become a leader in autonomous ground transportation committed to a safer and more efficient future for all. The company has developed an artificial intelligence (AI) powered technology stack purpose-built for commercial trucking and the public sector. The company delivers freight daily for its customers across the southern United States using its autonomous technology. In 2024, Kodiak became the first known company to publicly announce delivering a driverless semi-truck to a customer. Kodiak is also leveraging its commercial self-driving software to develop, test and deploy autonomous capabilities for the U.S. Department of Defense.

We are looking for a Software Engineer with deep expertise in computational geometry to join our core algorithms team. In this role, you’ll design and implement the geometric foundations that power mission-critical systems across our stack. You’ll be building a high-performance geometry library that is robust, mathematically rigorous, and optimized for modern hardware, enabling advanced applications in autonomy, simulation, and beyond.

What you’ll do:

  • Build the core library: Design, implement, and maintain a library of computational geometry algorithms in modern C++.
  • Develop primitives: Create and optimize fundamental operations, such as distances, intersections, projections, polygon operations, and convex hulls, for complex geometries.
  • Maximize performance: Profile and optimize code for CPU architectures (especially x86), leveraging cache-efficient data layouts, and instruction-level parallelism.
  • Ensure reliability: Establish a testing framework to guarantee numerical stability, robustness, and correctness at scale.
  • Enable visibility: Develop tools for visualizing, debugging, and validating geometric computations.
  • Collaborate & integrate: Partner with other engineering teams to design clean APIs and integrate the geometry library into larger systems.
  • Innovate: Research and apply state-of-the-art methods from academia and industry to tackle novel geometric challenges.

What you’ll bring:

  • Strong background in computational geometry, linear algebra, and applied mathematics (MS, PhD, or equivalent experience).
  • Expert-level modern C++ skills with a track record of production-quality, high-performance libraries.
  • Deep grasp of CPU/GPU architecture, cache/memory layouts, SIMD, and parallel algorithms.
  • A rigorous, test-driven mindset with high standards for software quality and mathematical correctness.
  • Excellent collaboration and communication skills, able to work across teams and explain complex ideas clearly.
  • Hands-on, proactive approach to problem-solving and performance tuning.

Bonus Points:

  • GPU programming experience with CUDA or OpenCL.
  • Proficiency in Python or TypeScript for prototyping, tooling, or bindings.
  • Familiarity with SIMD instruction sets (AVX, SSE).
  • Experience with libraries like Clipper or Boost.Geometry.
  • Robotics/AV background (planning, mapping, SLAM, 3D graphics/CAD/physics sim).

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
  • Our office is centrally located in Mountain View, CA
  • 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 pay range listed below reflects the base salary in our SF/Silicon Valley location, across several internal levels. Actual starting pay will be based on job-related factors including: work location, experience, relevant training, education, skill level and performance during interview. Total compensation at Kodiak includes base pay, equity, bonus and a competitive benefits package

California Pay Range
$150,000—$220,000 USD
 
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.
 
We use a third-party AI tool (Endorsed) to assist in the initial screening of applications. As part of the evaluation process, we provide Endorsed with job requirements and candidate-submitted applications. Final hiring decisions are made by our human recruitment team, and no automated system makes the ultimate decision regarding hiring. Certain features of the platform may qualify it as an Automated Employment Decision Tool (AEDT) under applicable regulations. We began using Endorsed on January 1, 2026. You can review the independent bias audit report covering our use of Endorsed [here](https://endorsed.com/local-law-144). By submitting your application, you acknowledge that your application may be processed by AI systems as part of the screening and selection process. If you have any questions or would like to request a separate review of your application, please contact careers@kodiak.ai with "Separate Review Request" in the email subject line.

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