Build Functional Verification Technician

Kodiak
Detroit, US
On-siteVisa sponsorshipCareer-pivot friendly

Who this role is best for

Best suited to mid-level technicians with hands-on experience in autonomous or automotive systems who thrive in collaborative, physically demanding environments.

Best fit for

  • Technicians comfortable with both mechanical and software troubleshooting in field conditions.
    — “Hands-on work with mechanical, electrical, and software systems to diagnose, repair, and root cause issues
  • Candidates who excel at rapid iteration and cross-functional problem-solving.
    — “Proven ability to build and iterate quickly
  • Individuals with manufacturing process knowledge across low and high-volume production.
    — “You have a deep understanding of manufacturing processes for both low and high volume production

Things to consider

  • Physical demands include lifting up to 45 pounds and outdoor work in all weather.
    — “Ability to regularly lift and /or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 45 pounds
  • Position may require working non-traditional hours in shop or outdoor settings.
    — “Willingness to work in a traditional shop setting or outdoors in all weather conditions during the day/night

How to stand out

  • Demonstrate experience with automotive communication protocols beyond basic troubleshooting.
    — “familiar with communication protocols and tools such as Ethernet, CAN, LIN, 100BASE-T1
  • Highlight scripting skills for data analysis in addition to hands-on repair experience.
    — “Experience with scripting and data analysis languages such as Python or MATLAB
  • Show examples of improving fleet uptime through preventative maintenance solutions.
    — “Develop and perform corrective and preventative actions for top failure modes
Pace · Fast PacedCollaboration · HighAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · TeamLevel · Mid Level

Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.

What success looks like

  • system uptime improvement
  • engineering test success
  • hardware quality inspection
Typical background
autonomous systemsautomotiveaerospace

Skills & requirements

Required

TroubleshootingDebuggingElectrical SystemsSoftware SystemsMechanical SystemsEngineering PracticesDocumentation

Preferred

ScriptingData AnalysisInstrumentationAutomotive Electronics

Stack & domain

TroubleshootingDebuggingElectrical SystemsSoftware SystemsScriptingData AnalysisPythonMatlabCommunicationProblem-solvingTeamworkAutonomous VehiclesEngineeringManufacturing

About the role

Original posting from Kodiak via Greenhouse

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 an experienced Build Functional Verification Technician who is highly motivated, familiar with complex systems  and has experience working cross functionally with operations and engineering teams.

In this role, you will:

Troubleshoot and debug issues in the field, and trace failures to correct subsystems

Develop and perform corrective and preventative actions for top failure modes  

Hands-on work with mechanical, electrical, and software systems to diagnose, repair, and root cause issues seen across our fleet. 

Maintain, repair and upfit mechanical, electrical and software systems to contribute and improve to fleetwide uptime

Lead and support engineering test activities by applying engineering practices, principles, and various analysis tools to achieve performance targets and standards

Provide feedback and inspect hardware quality at various levels and resolve manufacturing/build issues. 

Create and review documentation such as drawings, schematics, build instructions, and incoming hardware quality tests/checks

What you'll bring:

Strong technical background, 5+ years of experience as a technician in the autonomous, automotive, aerospace or related industry

Experience with electrical/harnessing standards and manufacturing

Self motivated with a desire to improve

Strong communication - you consider communication as one of your best assets

Proven ability to build and iterate quickly

You have experienced product development in all stages and feel comfortable in the earlier stages – moving from zero to one.Hands on

You are just as comfortable with a wrench as a keyboard. You have a deep understanding of manufacturing processes for both low and high volume production.

Ability to regularly lift and /or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 45 pounds.

Willingness to work in a traditional shop setting or outdoors in all weather conditions during the day/night

Ability and willingness to climb ladders, stand, crouch, kneel and generally maneuver as required to repair mechanical and electrical equipment in, on, and around trucks. 

Bonus Qualifications: 

Experience with scripting and data analysis languages such as Python or MATLAB

Experience and knowledge around instrumentation using a wide variety of sensors (strain gauges, thermocouples, load cells, etc)

You are confident with automotive electronics and are familiar with communication protocols and tools such as Ethernet, CAN, LIN, 100BASE-T1

What we offer:

Competitive compensation package including equity and annual bonuses

Excellent Medical, Dental, and Vision plans through Kaiser Permanente, Cigna and MetLife (including a medical plan with infertility benefits)

MetLife Legal Services, Identity & Fraud Protection, Hospital Indemnity Insurance, Accident Insurance, & Critical Illness Insurance

Flexible PTO, 10 paid holidays, 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 through Cigna, Calm through Kaiser, One Medical, Gympass, Spring Health through Cigna, Rula (mental health navigation) 

Fidelity 401(k)

Commuter, FSA, Dependent Care FSA, HSA

Various incentive programs (referral bonuses, patent bonuses, etc.)

 

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.

 

Source: Kodiak careers (Greenhouse)

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