General Manager Defense

Overview

Kodiak Robotics, Inc. seeks a visionary and results-driven General Manager, Defense to lead Kodiak’s fast-growing defense business. The ideal candidate will bring either deep leadership experience in ground combat programs or a proven track record scaling dual-use or advanced technology companies in Silicon Valley. This role shapes the future of military autonomy by building a business unit that bridges cutting-edge AI and robotics with real-world operational impact.

As the senior leader of Kodiak’s defense business, you will own P&L accountability, set strategic priorities, and lead cross-functional teams to deliver on both prototyping and production programs. You will serve as a critical interface between executive leadership, engineering, business development, and DoD stakeholders, ensuring our technology aligns with the missions and acquisition pathways of U.S. government customers.

Responsibilities

• Own and grow the defense business P&L, leading strategic planning, investment decisions, and revenue execution.
• Build and manage a high-performing, cross-functional team across program management, engineering, and operations to deliver on key DoD programs.
• Serve as the primary senior interface to military customers, including Army, USMC, and OUSD leadership, as well as the broader national security and defense industry.
• Define and communicate the defense product vision and roadmap in alignment with both commercial R&D and DoD customer needs.
• Shape government engagement strategy and represent Kodiak at the highest levels across the Pentagon, acquisition offices, and policy organizations.
• Translate military operational requirements into technical needs and engineering priorities, ensuring high-fidelity execution.
• Lead internal reviews, performance tracking, and reporting for all active defense programs—from prototyping through production.
• Evaluate and establish key partnerships across primes, integrators, and mission stakeholders to position Kodiak for long-term growth.
• Represent Kodiak’s defense vision publicly, including at conferences, strategic forums, and in front of senior stakeholders.
• Serve as a member of the company’s leadership team, influencing company-level priorities and resource allocations.

What you’ll bring

What we offer

Actual salary ranges will be based on job-related factors, including exact work location, experience, relevant training and education, and skill level. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for the role location. 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 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.

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