Release Technical Program Manager

Kodiak Robotics, Inc. was founded in 2018 and is a leading provider of AI-powered autonomous vehicle technology committed to a safer and more efficient future for all. The company is developing an artificial intelligence (AI) powered technology stack for driverless commercial trucking applications. Kodiak’s unique modular hardware approach integrates sensors into a streamlined sensor-pod structure that is purpose-built for perception, scalability, and maintainability. The company autonomously delivers freight daily for its commercial customers across the Sun Belt states and for Atlas Energy in the Permian Basin. Kodiak also leverages its commercial self-driving software to develop, test and deploy autonomous capabilities for the U.S. Department of Defense.

We are seeking a Release Technical Program Manager (TPM) with a strong bias for action to lead and optimize our release process for Kodiak’s common autonomy platform which is deployed in use cases across Defense, Industrial and Over-the-road sectors. You will work closely with software quality, SW and HW engineering, operations, and product teams to ensure smooth, reliable, and timely software releases while maintaining the highest standards of safety and performance.

Join Kodiak to be at the forefront of the autonomous trucking revolution, work alongside top minds in robotics, AI, and logistics, and be an accelerator to real-world Product deployments.

Kodiak is a highly collaborative organization based in Mountain View, CA. This role requires an in-office presence with some travel expected.

• Own and drive the release lifecycle, ensuring a seamless transition from development to deployment in real-world trucking environments (Industrial, Over The Road, Defense).
• Define and implement release planning including feature prioritization, risk assessment, and execution frameworks tailored to the unique challenges of autonomous trucking.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with engineering, software quality, product, operations, and safety teams to support our technical feature roadmaps and release plans.
• Work with other TPMs to ensure that hardware is ready, the safety case is approved, and operations teams are properly trained for each release.
• Proactively identify bottlenecks and process inefficiencies, implementing improvements to accelerate the pace of release deployments without compromising safety or quality.
• Establish and maintain clear release criteria, balancing the need for rapid iteration with robustness and reliability.
• Lead coordination efforts for release validation and sign-offs, ensuring stakeholders have visibility into readiness and potential risks.
• Act as the primary point of contact for release-related communication across the company, including executive updates.
• Develop and track key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure release effectiveness and drive continuous improvement.
• Facilitate root cause analysis for post-release issues and work with teams to implement corrective actions.
• Improve our demo experience by working with the product team to improve the demo flow, go on daily rides, and continuously improve our ride along experience.

• 5 years of experience in technical program management, software release management, or a related field.
• Strong background in software development processes, CI/CD pipelines, and release automation.
• Experience with large-scale, safety-critical software deployments (e.g., autonomous systems, automotive, aerospace, industrial automation, etc.).
• Proven ability to work in fast-paced environments with a strong bias for action and problem-solving mindset.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to bridge technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Familiarity with Agile methodologies, Jira, Kibana, and release management tools.
• Experience working in highly cross-functional environments, aligning diverse teams towards shared goals.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to drive data-informed decision-making.
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent experience).

• 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 annual salary range for this full-time position is $180,000-$250,000 bonus equity benefits. Actual salary ranges will be based on job-related factors, including exact work location, experience, relevant training and education, and skill level. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for the role location or, if the role can be performed remote, the specific salary range for your preferred location, during the hiring process. Please note that the compensation details listed above are base salary only and do not include bonus, equity, or benefits.

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.