--- title: 'Operations Supervisor, Testing at Kodiak' canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/operations-supervisor-testing-kodiak-lancaster-yzmtq6xcf8yn' type: 'job' last_seen: '2026-10-19' --- # Operations Supervisor, Testing at Kodiak - **Company:** Kodiak - **Location:** Lancaster, TX - **Posted:** 2026-10-16 - **Last confirmed live:** 2026-10-19 - **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/kodiak/jobs/4455773009 ## Job description 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. As an Operations Supervisor, Testing, you’ll oversee daily autonomous vehicle (AV) test operations across Kodiak’s ODD’s. You’ll lead a team of Test Specialists, Safety Drivers, and Assisted Autonomy Operators, ensuring all test runs are executed safely, efficiently, and to the highest operational standards. This role combines hands-on technical understanding with people leadership and strategic coordination. You’ll manage shift performance, enforce safety and compliance standards, and collaborate closely with Engineering and Operations Management to continuously improve test execution and data quality. If you thrive in dynamic, fast-paced environments, lead with composure, and take pride in driving operational excellence, this role is for you. Once every four weeks, you'll travel to a remote industrial testing site with sparse amenities to oversee a dedicated on-site crew executing a dynamic mix of industrial-scale testing activities, including: - New customer truck bring-up and integration - New software deployment validation - Additional software testing as project needs evolve ## What You’ll Do - Supervise daily testing operations while actively supporting on-site test execution and troubleshooting. - Ensure all testing activities comply with Kodiak’s SOPs, safety policies, and project priorities. - Collaborate with other supervisors in order to execute tests in with a shared pool of Test Specialists, Safety Drivers, and Assisted Autonomy Operators to maintain consistent throughput and fleet utilization. - Act as the on-shift decision-maker for operational issues, escalating critical matters as appropriate. - Track and report shift-level performance metrics such as throughput, test completion rate, and issue resolution. - Review team documentation for accuracy and completeness, ensuring proper escalation and communication standards. - Identify process gaps or performance trends and implement corrective actions in partnership with management and engineering teams. - Conduct one-on-one coaching sessions, ride-alongs, and evaluations to support skill development and operational consistency. - Promote a culture of safety, professionalism, and continuous improvement across all testing teams. - Ensure adherence to company policies, safety protocols, and CDL/HOS compliance requirements where applicable. - Partner with other Supervisors, Leads, and cross-functional teams to ensure seamless shift handoffs, shared situational awareness, and aligned priorities. ## What We’re Looking For Experience: - 3+ years in AV testing, fleet operations, or related automotive environments. - Demonstrated success in a working-lead or supervisory role within a fast-paced, safety-critical setting. Background: - Strong understanding of AV systems, testing workflows, and operational safety practices. - Proven ability to manage shift-based teams while maintaining high productivity and morale. Industry Knowledge: - Familiarity with autonomous systems, fleet management, and test execution processes. - Understanding of compliance frameworks and operational risk management principles. Strong Communicator: - Skilled at maintaining calm, structured communication under pressure. - Able to convey complex operational details clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences. Leadership Mindset: - Leads with accountability and composure, balancing team oversight with hands-on involvement. - Drives continuous improvement in safety, efficiency, and process discipline across the test organization. Why Join Kodiak? At Kodiak, you’ll work at the forefront of autonomous trucking, helping shape safety and compliance frameworks that will define the industry. Your work will directly contribute to real-world deployments, regulatory readiness, and the safe scaling of breakthrough technology. Join us in creating the foundation that will make autonomous trucking not only possible, but trusted and safe at scale. What we offer: - 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 - 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.) 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. ## About Kodiak ## Company Overview - **One-liner**: Kodiak develops AI-powered autonomous ground mobility solutions, primarily for long-haul trucking and defense applications, with the goal of building the world’s safest driver. - **Entity Type**: Private (Founded in 2018; funding stage not explicitly disclosed but has raised significant capital from top-tier investors) - **Headquarters**: Mountain View, California, United States - **Founded**: April 2018 - **Founders**: Don Burnette (CEO) ## Core Business - **Primary industry/industries**: Autonomous Vehicles (AV), AI, Trucking & Logistics, Defense & National Security, Industrial Automation - **Target customers**: B2B – Commercial trucking fleets, logistics companies, and the U.S. Department of Defense (for autonomous ground systems) - **Mission or purpose statement**: To become the trusted world leader in autonomous ground transportation, committed to a safer and more efficient future for all through the commercialization of driverless trucking at scale. ## Products & Services - **[The Kodiak Driver]**: A purpose-built, AI-powered autonomous driving system (hardware and software) that enables driverless movement of trucks and other vehicles. It combines AI perception, modular hardware, and offboard services into a single, integrated platform designed for safety, efficiency, and reliability in long-haul trucking. - **[Kodiak Defense Solutions]**: An adaptation of the Kodiak Driver for national security applications, providing autonomous capabilities for military ground vehicles. - **[Industrial Autonomy Solutions]**: Solutions tailored for heavy industry and harsh environments, focusing on operational efficiency and safety. ## Market Standing - **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not publicly disclosed. - **Key Metric**: Has safely delivered over 7,000 commercial loads and driven over 2.6 million autonomous miles. In 2024, became the first company to publicly announce delivering a driverless semi-truck to a customer. - **Notable Investors/Partners**: Uber (Talent source and acquisition of co-founder's previous startup Ottomotto); key partners include the U.S. Department of Defense and members of its Trucking Industry Advisory Council. Alumni have come from Waymo, Cruise, Nuro, and Uber. - **Growth Signals**: Actively expanding from trucking into defense and industrial sectors. Aggressive hiring with 59 active job postings (as of mid-2026) and a 28.3% year-over-year increase in job postings. They are on the critical path to launching driverless operations on public highways. ## Competitive Advantages - **Proven Track Record**: First to publicly deliver a driverless semi-truck to a customer and has a strong safety record with 2.6 million autonomous miles and 7,000+ loads delivered. - **Purpose-Built Technology**: The Kodiak Driver is specifically designed for the unique challenges of long-haul trucking (e.g., highway driving, fuel efficiency, safety) rather than adapted from robotaxi technology. - **Dual-Use Technology**: Leveraging its commercial self-driving software for defense applications (U.S. Department of Defense), creating a unique revenue stream and technological validation. - **Strong Talent Pipeline**: Deep domain expertise with team members from top AV companies like Waymo, Cruise, Nuro, and Uber. ## Strategic Focus - **Driverless Highway Launch**: The primary near-term goal is to launch driverless operations on public highways by the end of 2026 (as stated in job postings). This is the company's north star. - **Expanding Operational Design Domain (ODD)**: After the initial driverless launch, the focus will be on expanding the conditions and geographies in which the Kodiak Driver can operate. - **Diversification into Defense**: A significant strategic priority is deploying autonomous technology for national security, which provides a stable, non-commercial revenue stream and validates the technology's robustness. - **Commercialization at Scale**: Moving from pilot programs and customer deliveries to full commercial deployment with major trucking fleets. ## Why Work Here - **High-Impact Mission**: Work on technology that aims to save lives (reducing truck crashes caused by human error), improve sustainability, and transform the freight and defense industries. - **Culture of Safety and Innovation**: The company is deeply committed to safety (ISO 26262, ISO 21448) but also values agility, efficiency, and "principled debate." They seek the truth, even when inconvenient. - **Autonomy and Ownership**: Interns and engineers are given independence to design solutions and own their projects, working "shoulder-to-shoulder with the best." - **Hybrid Work Environment**: Based in Mountain View, CA with a "hybrid work environment" and a newly renovated, dog-friendly office with free EV charging, catered lunch, and a fully stocked kitchen. - **Competitive Compensation & Benefits**: Includes competitive base pay, equity, annual bonuses, flexible PTO, 401k, excellent medical/dental/vision, infertility benefits, and generous parental leave. - **Talent Density**: Work alongside veterans from Waymo, Cruise, Nuro, Uber, and Google’s self-driving car project. ## Sources 1. [Kodiak AI Company Page](https://kodiak.ai/company) 2. [Kodiak AI Homepage](https://kodiak.ai/) 3. [Kodiak AI Careers Page](https://kodiak.ai/careers) 4. [LinkedIn - Kodiak](https://www.linkedin.com/company/kodiakai) 5. [Greenhouse - Kodiak Jobs](https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/kodiak/jobs/4194480009) ## Other roles at Kodiak - [Senior Field Truck Technician](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-field-truck-technician-kodiak-kermit-4fnr5t9gkn72) — Kermit, TX - [Class A Safety Driver](https://feeny.ai/job/class-a-safety-driver-kodiak-lancaster-9rw7qj7htsvq) — Lancaster, TX - [Winter 2027 Intern, Security](https://feeny.ai/job/winter-2027-intern-security-kodiak-mountain-view-ypctgxhm3vm2) — Mountain View, CA - [Senior Onboard Infrastructure](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-onboard-infrastructure-kodiak-mountain-view-8ka5vnp2n699) — Mountain View, CA - [Hardware Technical Program Manager](https://feeny.ai/job/hardware-technical-program-manager-kodiak-mountain-view-ne6r504zg7w7) — Mountain View, CA - [Staff Vehicle Manufacturing Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/staff-vehicle-manufacturing-engineer-kodiak-mountain-view-p0sb0wqr6674) — Mountain View, CA - [Head of Hardware TPM](https://feeny.ai/job/head-of-hardware-tpm-kodiak-mountain-view-60khjywfn7fa) — Mountain View, CA - [Senior Autonomy Software Engineer, Mapping](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-autonomy-software-engineer-mapping-kodiak-mountain-view-chhsj3cwq6wn) — Mountain View, CA - [Operations Lead, Command Center](https://feeny.ai/job/operations-lead-command-center-kodiak-lancaster-wfyjma3w2k71) — Lancaster, TX - [Product Strategy & Operations Associate](https://feeny.ai/job/product-strategy-operations-associate-kodiak-mountain-view-ppzc3sgehdy9) — Mountain View, CA