---
title: 'Program Manager, Test Operations at Kodiak'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/program-manager-test-operations-kodiak-lancaster-7mb6z4h53pd7'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-11-09'
---

# Program Manager, Test Operations at Kodiak

- **Company:** Kodiak
- **Location:** Lancaster, TX
- **Posted:** 2026-11-03
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-11-09
- **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/kodiak/jobs/4478380009

## Job description

Kodiak AI, Inc. (Nasdaq: KDK), founded in 2018, is a leader in Physical AI, developing driverless technology that powers machines that move. Its Kodiak Driver is a vehicle-agnostic autonomous driving system that combines AI-powered software with modular hardware. Today it operates in long-haul trucking, industrial trucking, and defense. In 2024, Kodiak launched commercial Driver-as-a-Service operations with no one in the cab, and plans to launch driverless long-haul service between Dallas and Houston by the end of 2026.

Kodiak has partnered with many of the biggest names in freight, including Bosch for scaled hardware production, AWS, and leading customers including Atlas Energy Solutions, IKEA, Bridgestone, Werner Enterprises, C.R. England, Roehl Transport, and General Dynamics Land Systems.

As Program Manager, Test Operations, you will own the system that turns test requests from every hardware and software program into an executable schedule across Kodiak's sites, trucks, and contracted test tracks. You will run intake, triage, and prioritization for all engineering test requests, translating program priorities into queue order and handing a ready-to-execute schedule to the Test Operations team.

You will also manage day-to-day test track operations and own the track spend line. This role works independently at the intersection of Program Management, Engineering, and Test Operations, resolving operational conflicts in conjunction with those teams and escalating with clear tradeoffs when demand exceeds capacity.

What You'll Do:

Intake & Scheduling

- Own the test request workflow in Linear from intake through Ready to Schedule: daily triage, request quality enforcement, and queue curation
- Define how requests enter the system, including request templates and a pre-filter standard built with TPMs
- Run the weekly cross-site scheduling meeting and translate program priorities into queue order
- Define and enforce lead-time standards, with an expedited path for true emergencies
- Resolve operational conflicts with program and site teams, and escalate with clear tradeoff recommendations

Track Operations & Budget

- Book time across Kodiak's contracted test tracks and manage day-to-day vendor and facility operations
- Coordinate with site supervisors to match trucks, drivers, and track slots to the scheduled queue
- Own the track operations spend line: forecast against the test plan, approve spend within delegated authority, and report variance monthly

Reporting & Process Improvement

- Publish weekly funnel metrics (time-to-schedule, aging, throughput) into standard Ops and MBR reporting
- Execute monthly backlog scrubs, SLA breach reviews, and ticket data quality audits
- Improve intake, scheduling, and reporting processes as test demand scales

What We're Looking For:

## Experience

- 5+ years in test operations, fleet, flight, or vehicle test coordination, or similar high-tempo scheduling environments
- Has owned a work-intake and scheduling system end to end (Linear or Jira fluency; SLAs, dashboards, light automation)
- Budget experience: has forecast and defended a spend line, not just tracked it
- Vendor or facility management experience

## Nice to Have

- AV, test operations, aerospace, or automotive proving ground background
- Experience building operational metrics and reporting from scratch

Mindset

- Credible with senior engineers; makes and communicates priority calls under pressure
- Holds a "not yet" professionally when demand exceeds capacity
- Highly organized with relentless follow-through; the queue never slips
- Builds processes that scale beyond one person

Why Join Kodiak?

Every test at Kodiak flows through the system you will own. You will decide how testing demand gets organized, keep expensive track capacity working, and directly shape how fast Kodiak validates its autonomous trucking technology. This is a high-visibility role with a defined growth path and real ownership from day one.

What we offer:

- Competitive compensation package including equity and annual bonus
- Excellent Medical, Dental, and Vision plans
- Accrued PTO and generous parental leave policies
- Facility is located in Lancaster, TX - 3901 Corporate Dr Ste 300
- 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)

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