Program Manager, Operations and Deployment
Kodiak Robotics
Operations
Dallas, TX, USA
USD 150k-190k / year + Equity
Posted on May 20, 2025
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’re looking for a highly motivated and organized Program Manager to support our Operations team, on-site, in Lancaster, TX. This role will support our Operations team and serve as the connective tissue between on-the-ground operations, operations leadership, product deployment, and technical program management. You will help improve how our Operations Team plans, executes, and scales autonomous truck deployments with a strong focus on efficiency, safety, and self-sufficiency. You will play a key role in helping our field operations team scale by designing and implementing tools, processes, and best practices that elevate execution quality while integrating seamlessly with the overall Kodiak technical roadmap.
In this role, you will:
- Partner with Operations Leadership to align operational goals, milestones, and KPIs across deployment efforts.
- Coordinate closely with Technical Program Managers to ensure local execution aligns with broader product, safety, and engineering timelines.
- Lead or support improvement initiatives for the Operations Team, including our remote operations team, on-the-ground operations, etc. to increase reliability, efficiency, and scalability of truck orchestration.
- Develop and implement processes and lightweight tools to guide the operations center team in decision-making and daily execution.
- Help build a framework for on-the-ground teams to be self-sufficient, while maintaining clear escalation paths and visibility.
- Drive alignment between field operations and engineering teams to capture feedback and close the loop on system and process improvements.
- Create and manage dashboards, OKRs, timelines, documentation, and communication flows that keep teams focused and informed.
- Facilitate retrospectives, root-cause analyses, and improvement projects after deployments to enhance team performance and knowledge.
What you'll bring:
- 8+ years of program management experience in operations, field engineering, logistics, or transportation, ideally in a technical or startup environment.
- Proven experience building and improving processes that scale across distributed teams.
- Exceptional organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
- Strong understanding of how to lead cross-functional initiatives with clarity and accountability.
- Ability to work in fast-paced, ambiguous environments with a hands-on and proactive mindset.
- Experience interfacing with both technical teams (engineering, systems, product) and operational roles (dispatch, safety, maintenance).
- Familiarity with tools like Jira, Confluence, Kibana, Tableau, or similar platforms.
- Passion for autonomy, logistics, or systems-level thinking.
- Experience in autonomous vehicles, logistics tech, or mobility.
- Familiarity with safety-critical systems or regulated industries.
- A background in operations research, product management, or industrial engineering.
Bonus Points For:
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
- 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, on-site, position in Texas is $150,000-$190,000 + bonus + equity + benefits. Actual starting pay will be based on job-related factors, including 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.
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 U.S. national security statutes, regulations, and administrative prerequisites. These statutes may impose limitations on Kodiak's capacity to engage specific individuals in particular roles based on various national security-related criteria. Kodiak will provide sponsorship for eligible candidate's. Consequently, the eligibility for this position may hinge on Kodiak's verification of a candidate's residence, U.S. person status, and/or citizenship status. In accordance with these statutes , Kodiak may find it necessary to secure a U.S. government export license before disseminating its technologies to specific individuals. Should Kodiak determine that a candidate's residence, U.S. person status, and/or citizenship status necessitate a license, prohibit the candidate from assuming this position, or otherwise fall under national security-related restrictions, Kodiak explicitly retains the right to either assess the candidate for an alternative position 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.