Senior Mechanical Engineer - FEA Analysis & Test

<div class="content-intro"><p>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.</p></div><p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Kodiak Robotics is developing autonomous vehicles. Our team is highly experienced and comes from the leading technology companies in the space.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">We are looking for a mechanical analysis &amp; test engineer (FEA/CAE) to join us and develop autonomous hardware.</span></p> <h3><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>In this role, you will:</strong></span></h3> <ul> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Perform assembly-level mechanical FEA simulations in ANSYS</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Simulation types include non-linear static and dynamic analyses such as modal, shock, and random vibration</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Identify potential failure modes and provide actionable design guidance</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Create reports of analysis results and present to cross-functional teams</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Conduct or supervise testing and correlate data to FEA models</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Write test procedures for both internal and external use</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Develop custom fixtures for testing and support maintenance of test equipment</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Support root-cause analysis of issues found in the field&nbsp;</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Manage relationships with testing facilities, suppliers, and other external partners</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Travel: Occasional travel required to conduct or supervise testing</span></li> </ul> <h3><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Qualifications:</strong></span></h3> <ul> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Strong technical background</strong>. BS or MS, or equivalent experience, in Mechanical Engineering with 3+ years of experience analyzing mechanical systems with FEA in the automotive, aerospace or related industry.&nbsp;</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Strong FEA experience</strong> with packages such as Ansys and/or SolidWorks with strong fundamentals in solid mechanics, structural dynamics and materials science.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Bonus Experience</strong>: thermal and/or CFD simulation skills</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Strong CAD experience</strong> with packages such as SolidWorks, NX, Catia, and/or Creo.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Experience with data acquisition</strong> systems with accelerometers, thermocouples, and strain gauges.&nbsp;</span></li> </ul> <p class="p2"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><strong>What we offer:</strong></span></p> <ul> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Competitive compensation package including equity and biannual bonuses</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Excellent Medical, Dental, and Vision plans through Kaiser Permanente, Anthem, and Guardian (including a medical plan with infertility benefits)</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Flexible PTO and generous parental leave policies</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Our office is centrally located in Mountain View, CA</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Office perks: dog-friendly, free catered lunch, a fully stocked kitchen, and free EV charging</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Long Term Disability, Short Term Disability, Life Insurance</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Wellbeing Benefits - Headspace, One Medical, Gympass, Spring Health</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Fidelity 401(k)</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Commuter, FSA, Dependent Care FSA, HSA</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Various incentive programs (referral bonuses, patent bonuses, etc.)</span></li> </ul><div class="content-pay-transparency"><div class="pay-input"><div class="description"><p>The pay range listed below reflects the base salary&nbsp;<strong data-stringify-type="bold">in our SF/Silicon Valley location,&nbsp;</strong>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</p></div><div class="title">California Pay Range</div><div class="pay-range"><span>$150,000</span><span class="divider">&mdash;</span><span>$185,000 USD</span></div></div></div><div class="content-conclusion"><div>&nbsp;</div> <div>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.</div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div>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.</div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div><em>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](</em><em><a href="https://endorsed.com/local-law-144" target="_blank" data-sk="tooltip_parent">https://endorsed.com/local-law-144</a></em><em>). 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 </em><em><a href="mailto:[email protected]" target="_blank" data-sk="tooltip_parent">[email protected]</a></em><em> with "Separate Review Request" in the email subject line.</em></div> <p>&nbsp;</p></div>