Principal Robotics Engineer (Robotics Solutions & Integration)

Venti; Singapore; On-site; SGD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Venti Technologies is seeking a Staff Research Scientist, Localization and Mapping, to lead the technical direction for autonomy teams focused on driverless logistics. You will champion the roadmap, develop scalable map generation, and guide live autonomy stack modules for safety-critical operations in ports and hubs.

This role blends research with hands‑on prototyping and system integration at scale. The successful candidate will bring a PhD in robotics or related field, 8+ years of robotics

Qualifications

• PhD in Robotics, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, CS, Mechatronics or related field with robotics focus.
• 8+ years in robotics industry with real-world deployment experience.
• Proven track record delivering robotic solutions from concept to deployment.
• Experience evaluating, selecting, and integrating third‑party robotics technologies.
• Familiarity with industrial robotics platforms such as ABB, Fanuc, KUKA, Yaskawa, Universal Robots, Franka or equivalent.
• Expertise in manipulation, motion planning, computer vision, perception, automation, and safety‑critical systems.
• Hands‑on with C++, Python, ROS/ROS2, MoveIt, and robot kinematics and controls.

Responsibilities

• Lead evaluation of robotics, automation, sensing, and manipulation solutions from vendors, startups, and research institutions.
• Define system requirements, interfaces, and integration plans for autonomous vehicles in logistics.
• Architect and integrate robotic systems with Automated Terminal Tractors and related hardware.
• Develop perception, localization, and control algorithms; prototype end‑effectors and automation mechanisms.
• Drive build‑versus‑buy decisions and support field validation and deployment.

Skills

Robotics research

Localization & Mapping

System integration

Perception

Sensor fusion

Motion planning

C++

Python

ROS/ROS2

MoveIt

Robot kinematics

Education

PhD in Robotics/related field

Tools

ROS/ROS2

MoveIt

C++

Python

Robot kinematics

Job description

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.

Role Overview

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.

Key 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 Automated Terminal Tractors (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 & Qualifications

• PhD in Robotics, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Mechatronics, or a closely related discipline with a strong focus on robotics.
• 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.
• Familiarity with industrial robotic platforms such as ABB, Fanuc, KUKA, Yaskawa, Universal Robots, Franka, or equivalent systems.
• 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 and 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 are ready to apply your skills and creativity to the most impactful challenges in autonomous logistics, we would love to hear from you.