Fall 2026 Intern, Perception
kodiak· Internships
About this role
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 highly skilled Perception Intern to join us and solve real-world robotics problems.
In this role, you will:
- Be responsible for designing perception algorithms and implementing them in robust, efficient, and well-tested C++ code.
- Solve real-world perception challenges such as object detection and classification, multi-object tracking, sensor fusion, and scene estimation.
- Integrate both novel and well-established techniques such as deep neural networks, decision trees, Kalman and particle filters, or point cloud processing on camera, laser, radar, and ultrasound data.
- Collaborate closely with other experts on the team, including the AI, planning, and systems engineering teams.
What you’ll bring:
- Strong technical background.
- You are currently pursuing a MS or PhD and have experience designing and implementing perception algorithms; exceptional candidates pursuing a BS considered.
- You are a skilled software engineer with experience in C++ and strong problem-solving skills.
- You are passionate about solving real-world robotics problems, and you have ideally worked on autonomous robots before. Prior knowledge of working with deep neural networks is a strong plus.
- A team player. You take ownership and work with the team to deliver exceptional results. You are interested in the performance of the entire system across engineering disciplines.
- Ability to build and iterate quickly. You enjoy working fast and smart, and you are comfortable in the earlier stages of developing an algorithm from scratch.
- Hands on. You dig deep into important details such as the sensor driver if it improves the overall system.
- You like working with production machine learning pipelines, from dataset collection and labeling to training and validation.
- Great communicator. You have experience writing clear, concise, and detailed documentation.
Internship Program Details:
- Start Date: September 2026.
- Our internship program is 12-16 weeks; the end date is flexible based on individual needs.
- Location: Mountain View, CA.
- Housing: interns are responsible for housing.
What we offer:
- A fast paced environment where we work with talented, committed and supportive teammates.
- Competitive pay.
- Excellent medical, dental and vision benefits. A beautiful facility in Mountain View.
- We love our dogs, so we are a dog friendly office!
- Free catered lunch.
The pay range listed below reflects the base salary in our SF/Silicon Valley location, across several internal levels. Actual starting pay will be based on job-related factors including: work location, experience, relevant training, education, skill level and performance during interview. Total compensation at Kodiak includes base pay, equity, bonus and a competitive benefits package
California Pay Range
$10,000—$10,000 USD
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the salary disclosed for the Fall 2026 Intern, Perception position at kodiak?
The salary for this Fall 2026 Intern, Perception role at kodiak is not publicly listed. Click "Apply Now" to learn more about the compensation package on their official careers page.
Where is the Fall 2026 Intern, Perception position at kodiak located?
This Fall 2026 Intern, Perception role at kodiak is based in Mountain View, CA. The position is listed as on-site or hybrid. Check the full job description or apply directly to confirm the work arrangement.
Which team or department does the Fall 2026 Intern, Perception at kodiak belong to?
This Fall 2026 Intern, Perception position is part of the Internships department at kodiak. See the full job description for more information about the team structure and responsibilities.
How do I apply for the Fall 2026 Intern, Perception position at kodiak?
Click the "Apply Now" button on this page. You will be redirected to kodiak's official application portal hosted on greenhouse where you can submit your application directly.
When was the Fall 2026 Intern, Perception job at kodiak posted?
This Fall 2026 Intern, Perception position at kodiak was posted on Mar 6, 2026. Apply as soon as possible — early applications are often reviewed first.
Fall 2026 Intern, Perception
kodiak
You'll be redirected to kodiak's official application page on Greenhouse.