A world empowered by autonomy. We build robotic vehicles to improve logistics safety, forge a greener Earth, and enhance human lives.

We are a closely-knit team aspiring to change the world through disruptive technology. We are innovators. We are tinkerers. We are problem-solvers. And we have a fair amount of magic dust up our sleeves. We have a plan for fleet-level deployment of autonomous vehicles, and we are looking for the best-of-the-best to join us in making this a reality.

About Venti Technologies

Based in the U.S. and Asia, Venti Technologies is the leader in safe-speed autonomous logistics systems, developing the future of goods transportation. Using rigorous mathematics, deep learning, and theoretically-grounded algorithms, Venti has a proprietary collection of autonomy technologies including a suite of powerful logistics algorithms. Venti’s proven value proposition of saving costs, increasing vehicle utilization, and improving safety is recognized by customers and driving growth.

Launched in 2018, Venti brings together an unsurpassed team internationally. The company has autonomous systems deployed in Asia for industrial and logistics sites and a growing pipeline. Venti has offices in Cambridge (Massachusetts, USA), Suzhou (China), and Singapore – our Asian headquarters.

We are seeking a Staff Research Scientist, Localization and Mapping to serve as a principal technical authority for our multi-disciplinary autonomy teams. In this individual contributor (IC) role, you will champion the research roadmap, essential tool developments, scalable map generation, scaling of simulation regression tests, and live autonomy stack core modules for safety-critical applications on driverless trucks in complex logistics yards.

Our autonomy solutions must overcome environmental challenges not limited to high vibration/shock (industrial vehicle platforms/loads), high environmental change (shipping container stock variance), high occlusions from large actors/structures, all-weather 24-hour everyday operational demands, and high-precision alignments for parking or interfacing with specialized logistics equipment.

We are seeking a highly experienced and hands-on robotics engineer to lead the evaluation, development, and deployment of robotic automation solutions for autonomous vehicle operations in ports, intermodal rail yards, and logistics hubs.

The initial focus of this role will be autonomous trailer coupling operations, including automated connection and disconnection of air brake (gladhand) and electrical interfaces. This capability is a key enabler for fully driverless terminal operations.

The successful candidate will evaluate existing technologies, robotics suppliers, and research solutions, define system requirements, lead proof-of-concept activities, and drive integration into Venti's autonomous vehicle platform. Where suitable solutions do not exist, the candidate will be expected to develop and prototype new robotic capabilities.

This role requires a combination of technical leadership, system engineering, hands-on development capability, and strong build-versus-buy judgment.

Role responsibilities

• Solution Evaluation & Technology Strategy

  • Evaluate robotics, automation, sensing, and manipulation solutions from vendors, startups, and research institutions.

  • Conduct technical due diligence and gap analysis.

  • Develop build-versus-buy recommendations.

  • Identify opportunities to leverage existing technologies before pursuing custom development.

  Vendor Engagement

  • Engage with robotics vendors, automation suppliers, and research partners.

  • Define technical requirements and interface specifications.

  • Establish performance benchmarks and validation criteria.

  System Architecture & Integration

  • Define overall robotic automation architecture.

  • Integrate robotic systems with ATTs

  • Define mechanical, electrical, software, and safety interfaces.

  • Support deployment, testing, and field validation.

  Robotics Development & Prototyping

  Where commercial solutions are insufficient:

  • Design and prototype robotic manipulation solutions.

  • Develop perception, localization, and control algorithms.

  • Design end-effectors and automation mechanisms.

  • Implement robotic motion planning and controls.

  • Analyze operational data and improve system robustness and reliability.

Required experience

• Educational Background: PhD in Robotics, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Mechatronics, or a closely related discipline with a strong focus on robotics.

Experience

• 8+ years of robotics industry experience, preferably involving real-world deployment of robotic systems.

• Proven track record delivering robotic solutions from concept through deployment.

• Experience evaluating, selecting, and integrating third-party robotics technologies.

· Experience with industrial robotic platforms such as ABB, Fanuc, KUKA, Yaskawa, Universal Robots, Franka, or equivalent systems.

• Strong experience in several of the following areas:

  • Robotic manipulation and industrial robotics

  • Motion planning and robot controls

  • Computer vision and pose estimation

  • Sensor fusion and perception systems

  • Industrial automation and system integration

  • Safety-critical robotic systems

• Experience with modern AI-driven robotics approaches is highly desirable, including:

  • End-to-end robotic learning systems

  • Vision-Language-Action (VLA)/VLM models

  • Learning-based manipulation

  • Imitation learning

  • Reinforcement learning

  • Foundation models for robotics

Software & Development

Hands-on experience with C++, Python, ROS / ROS2, MoveIt or equivalent robotics frameworks and Robot kinematics and controls

The candidate should be capable of personally developing prototypes, validating technical approaches, and troubleshooting field issues when required.

Principal Robotics Engineer (Robotics Solutions & Integration)

Empowering a World of Autonomy

At Venti Technologies, we are building robotic vehicles to revolutionize logistics, enhance safety, advance sustainability, and improve lives. As a close-knit team of innovators, tinkerers, and problem-solvers, we are driven by our commitment to develop disruptive technologies that shape the future. Our vision of deploying autonomous vehicle fleets at scale is becoming a reality—and we’re searching for top talent to join us on this mission.

About Venti Technologies

Headquartered in both the U.S. and Asia, Venti Technologies is a leader in safe-speed autonomous logistics systems, pioneering the future of goods transportation. We leverage advanced mathematics, deep learning, and robust, proprietary algorithms to deliver next-generation autonomy. Recognized by our customers for reducing costs, optimizing vehicle utilization, and improving safety, we are experiencing rapid growth and expanding our deployments across industrial and logistics sites in Asia. Our offices are located in Cambridge (Massachusetts, USA), Suzhou (China), and Singapore—our Asian headquarters.

The Opportunity

We are seeking a highly experienced and hands-on Principal Robotics Engineer to lead the evaluation, development, and deployment of advanced robotic automation solutions for autonomous vehicle operations in ports, intermodal rail yards, and logistics hubs. As a principal technical authority, you will guide our multi-disciplinary autonomy teams, champion the research and development roadmap, and drive impactful innovation from concept through real-world integration.

The initial focus for this role involves enabling fully driverless terminal operations by automating trailer coupling processes—including connection and disconnection of air brake (gladhand) and electrical interfaces. You will evaluate existing technologies and vendors, define system requirements, lead proof-of-concept initiatives, and spearhead integration into Venti’s autonomous vehicle platform. Where suitable solutions are absent, you will design, prototype, and validate new robotic capabilities.

This is a unique opportunity to combine strong technical leadership, hands-on engineering, and strategic insight to transform logistics automation at scale.

Key Responsibilities

Solution Evaluation & Technology Strategy

• Survey, assess, and recommend robotics, automation, sensing, and manipulation solutions from diverse vendors and research bodies

• Conduct technical due diligence and identify capability gaps

• Develop build-versus-buy recommendations and strategies to leverage existing technology prior to custom development

Vendor Engagement

• Engage and collaborate with robotics vendors, automation suppliers, and strategic research partners

• Define and communicate technical requirements and interface specifications

• Establish performance benchmarks and system validation criteria

System Architecture & Integration

• Design and specify comprehensive robotic automation architecture

• Integrate robotic systems with Automated Terminal Tractors (ATTs) and related platforms

• Define robust mechanical, electrical, software, and safety interfaces

• Support deployment, testing, and field validation efforts

Robotics Development & Prototyping

• Where commercial solutions are lacking, design and prototype robotic manipulation and control solutions

• Develop perception, localization, and motion planning algorithms

• Design end-effectors, automation mechanisms, and implement motion planning and controls

• Analyze field operational data, ensuring continuous improvements in robustness and reliability

Required Experience & Qualifications

• PhD in Robotics, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Mechatronics, or a closely related discipline with a strong robotics focus

• 8+ years of robotics industry experience, including real-world deployment of robotic systems

• Demonstrated success delivering robotic solutions from concept to deployment

• Experience evaluating, selecting, and integrating third-party robotics technology

• Familiarity with industrial robotics platforms (e.g., ABB, Fanuc, KUKA, Yaskawa, Universal Robots, Franka, or equivalents)

• Deep expertise in several of the following areas:

  • Robotic manipulation and industrial robotics

  • Motion planning and robot controls

  • Computer vision and pose estimation

  • Sensor fusion and perception systems

  • Industrial automation and system integration

  • Safety-critical robotic systems

• Hands-on experience with C++, Python, ROS/ROS2, MoveIt, or equivalent robotics frameworks; strong knowledge of robot kinematics and controls

• Proven ability to independently develop prototypes, validate approaches, and troubleshoot field issues

Bonus Experience

• Experience with modern AI-driven robotics approaches, including:

  • End-to-end robotic learning systems

  • Vision-Language-Action (VLA)/VLM models

  • Learning-based manipulation

  • Imitation learning

  • Reinforcement learning

  • Foundation models for robotics

If you’re ready to apply your skills and creativity to the most impactful challenges in autonomous logistics, we will love to hear from you!