Senior AI Acceleration Engineer

About Kodiak:

Kodiak was founded in April 2018 to develop autonomous technology that carries freight forward—so people, partners, and the planet thrive. Navigating highway environments presents vastly different challenges than urban streets. Kodiak’s experienced team has developed the industry’s most advanced technology stack purpose-built specifically for long-haul trucks. From our sensor fusion system that maximizes the value of every sensing modality, to our unique lightweight mapping solution that allows our trucks to navigate ever-changing highway construction zones, our world-class team of industry pioneers is bringing the benefits of autonomy to the $800B a year trucking industry quickly, safely, and efficiently.

We are seeking:

A highly skilled Senior AI Acceleration Engineer to join our AI/ML team. In this role, you will be responsible for optimizing and accelerating machine learning models for deployment on embedded hardware platforms.

In this role, you will:

• Optimize and accelerate ML models for embedded hardware using techniques such as quantization, pruning, knowledge distillation, model compression, and hardware-specific optimizations.
• Develop high-performance custom kernels using CUDA, OpenCL, or other low-level programming tools to accelerate computations and implement efficient algorithms.
• Leverage and customize inference optimization frameworks like TensorRT, TVM, or ONNX Runtime to maximize performance on target platforms.
• Profile and analyze model performance, identify bottlenecks, and implement solutions to improve computational efficiency and reduce latency.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including hardware engineers and software developers, to co-design software and hardware solutions that maximize overall system performance.

Qualifications:

• BS, MS, or PhD with academic or at least 2-3 years of industry experience in optimizing and accelerating machine learning models for embedded systems.
• You are a skilled software engineer with experience in Python, C++, CUDA programming, and strong problem-solving skills.
• You are passionate about pushing the boundaries of ML performance on hardware and have ideally worked on embedded platforms or autonomous systems before.
• You also have a strong knowledge of low-level kernel development and experience with ML optimization techniques such as quantization, pruning, model compression, and knowledge distillation.

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.
• 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.).

Salary:

The annual salary range for this full-time position is $150,000-$250,000 + bonus + equity + benefits. Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. The range displayed on each job posting reflects the minimum and maximum target for new hire salaries for the position across all US locations. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. We can share more about the specific salary range for your job level during the hiring process. Please note that the compensation details listed above are base salary only and do not include bonus, equity, or benefits.

Diversity and Inclusion:

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.

National Security Compliance:

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. 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.