Winter 2027 Intern, Security

Kodiak
Mountain View, CA
On-siteCareer-pivot friendly

Who this role is best for

Autonomous systems engineers with production C++ experience and a drive for solving complex security challenges will find this internship opportunity at Kodiak Robotics engaging.

Best fit for

  • Candidates with strong C++ skills and a background in AI or robotics research
    — “You should be comfortable reading and writing modern C++ code”
  • Students or researchers with a focus on security or cryptography and an interest in autonomous transportation
    — “Basic understanding of security or cryptography fundamentals”

Things to consider

  • Candidates may need to meet U.S. residency or citizenship requirements for certain roles
    — “roles that carry more sensitive requirements may be limited to candidates that can satisfy additional scrutiny”
  • Interns are responsible for their own housing in Mountain View, CA
    — “Interns are responsible for housing”

How to stand out

  • Highlight your experience with real-time systems and embedded software in your resume and interview responses
    — “Experience writing real-time, resource constrained, or embedded software”
  • Demonstrate your understanding of TLS, RSA, and AES by providing concrete examples of their application
    — “User level understanding of TLS, RSA and AES algorithms”
  • Emphasize your ability to work on projects with a high degree of autonomy and ownership
    — “You will own a project that will advance a state-of-the-art autonomous trucking platform”
  • Showcase your familiarity with network protocols like TCP, UDP, and PTP in your application materials
    — “Understanding of network protocols such as TCP, UDP, and PTP”
  • Demonstrate your ability to thrive in fast-paced environments with a track record of quick learning and adaptability
    — “possess the ability to learn quickly and to strive for perfection within a fast-paced environment”
Pace · Fast PacedCollaboration · HighAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · Individual

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

What success looks like

  • work on autonomous trucks
  • develop coding skills on a production-level codebase
  • collaborate with other engineers
  • solve challenging problems
Typical background
Field(s) of study: Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or other related fields

Skills & requirements

Required

Coding SkillsLinux ExperienceReal Time Software DevelopmentKnowledge Of Modern Revision Tracking SystemsUnderstanding Of Network ProtocolsFamiliarity With Lidars, Radars, Cameras, And Other Sensors Used In Robotics

Preferred

Comfort With Fundamental MathematicsBasic Understanding Of Security Or Cryptography FundamentalsUser Level Understanding Of TLS, RSA And AES AlgorithmsAWS Or GCP Cloud Computing InfrastructuresRed Team Experience

Stack & domain

C++Fundamental MathematicsLinear AlgebraCalculusSecurityCryptographyTLSRSAAESLinuxUbuntuDebianReal Time Software DevelopmentAIIotRed TeamAWSGCPGitNetwork ProtocolsLidarRadarCameraSensorCan-do AttitudeVigorDeterminationExcellenceLearningPerfectionFast-pacedAutonomous TrucksRoboticsSelf-driving

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 Interns in various areas of our software stack.  Our ideal candidates exhibit a can-do attitude and approach their work with vigor and determination. Candidates will be expected to demonstrate excellence in their respective fields, possess the ability to learn quickly and to strive for perfection within a fast-paced environment.

We Are Looking For Interns Who:

Are excited to work on autonomous trucks that are running in the real world. You will own a project that will advance a state-of-the-art autonomous trucking platform.

Are looking to develop their coding skills on a production-level codebase. You should be comfortable reading and writing modern C++ code.

Look forward to collaborating with other engineers on a day-to-day basis.

Are motivated by challenging problems without clear-cut solutions.

Additional Skills That Will Help You Be Successful At Kodiak:

Comfort with fundamental mathematics, linear algebra, and calculus

Basic understanding of security or cryptography fundamentals

User level understanding of TLS, RSA and AES algorithms

Linux / Ubuntu / Debian experience

Real time software development

Physical AI / IoT system experience

Any Red Team experience or interests

Any experience with AWS or GCP cloud computing infrastructures

Knowledge of modern revision tracking systems (e.g. git) Experience writing real-time, resource constrained, or embedded software

Knowledge of the current state of robotics and/or self-driving

Understanding of network protocols such as TCP, UDP, and PTP

Familiarity with LIDARs, radars, cameras, and other sensors used in robotics

Knowledge of modern revision tracking systems (e.g. git)

Educational Requirements:

Field(s) of study: Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or other related fields.

Will consider graduate students at any stage of their Master's or Ph.D. studies.

Internship Program Details:

Start Date: January 2027

Our internship program is 12-16 weeks; the end date is flexible based on individual needs.

Location: Mountain View, CA.

Housing: Interns are responsible for housing.

What we offer:

A fast-paced environment where we work with talented, committed, and supportive teammates.

Competitive pay.

Excellent medical, dental, and vision benefits.  

A beautiful facility in Mountain View.

We love our dogs, so we are a dog-friendly office!

Free catered lunch.

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$10,000—$10,000 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.

Source: Kodiak careers (Greenhouse)

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