Data Scientist

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 seasoned data scientist who excels at data analysis, statistics, data-centric research, reporting, and problem solving with data. They are the expert in all of our data and maximize its utility over time, accelerating our engineering and commercial development.

In this role, you will:

• Systematize the use of data everywhere by working on things problem-by-problem and putting in place the metrics, dashboards, and data interrogation frameworks for an efficient process.


• Answer questions with data. Answer questions about the data.


• Facilitate development of our data platform and ensure cleanliness. Create a data view that is clean and metrics are thus reliable on this dataset.


• Ensure that all trends and conclusions used across the autonomy organization are supported by the data vs. what is simply statistical noise. For example, which release is better?


• All metrics are correct, the right ones, and yield key insights that support correct conclusions.


• Visualization allows for broad dissemination and ease of access across the entire team so that everyone is on the same page and drawing the same conclusions.


• Be the expert in the broad range of data sources.


• Recognize new trends unfolding in the data in real time.

What you’ll bring:

• BS, MS or PhD with 2+ years of academic or industry experience in Computer Science, Statistics, Operations Research or related quantitative technical fields


• 2+ yrs experience in applying machine learning, mathematical optimization and other analytic methods to solve practical business problems


• Strong understanding of data aggregation and interrogation statistics metrics implementation & underlying mathematical/statistical principles


• Experienced with metrics design, dashboard design


• Python (willingness to learn C++)


• You take ownership and work with the team to deliver exceptional results.


• You enjoy working fast and smart, and you are comfortable in the earlier stages of developing metrics from scratch.


• You have experience writing clear, concise, and detailed documentation.

Actual starting pay will be based on job-related factors, including exact work location, experience, relevant training and education, and skill level. Please note that the compensation details listed above are base salary only and do not include bonus, equity, or benefits.

California Pay Range

$150,000 - $250,000 USD

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. 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.