Robotics Engineer III - Motion Planning - Vaux

ArcBest | Vaux; Fort Smith (AR); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

ArcBest is seeking a Robotics Engineer III - Motion Planning to lead scalable motion planning architectures for fleet-wide AMR navigation, focusing on high-performance optimization, AI-driven behavioral planning, and large-scale robotic coordination.

The role requires expertise in graph search, optimization-based planners, and reinforcement learning-based motion strategies, with real-time integration to perception and control.

Qualifications

• Master's Degree in Robotics, Engineering, Computer Science, or related field required.
• PhD in Robotics, Engineering, Computer Science, or related field preferred.
• 4+ years in robotics motion planning, AI-driven decision models, or multi-agent autonomy.
• Experience with high-performance robotic software development.

Responsibilities

• Architect scalable motion planning frameworks for fleet deployments.
• Develop and refine AI-driven motion planning (RL, imitation learning, deep MPC).
• Implement real-time model predictive planners using CasADi, ACADOS, and solvers.
• Lead cross-functional collaborations and mentor junior engineers in motion planning.
• Occasional travel 25%-50% for testing at customer sites.

Skills

Motion planning

Multi-agent planning

Reinforcement learning

C++/Python

AI-driven planning

Education

Master's Degree in Robotics

PhD in Robotics

Tools

CasADi

ACADOS

Optimization solvers

Job description

Job Description

The Robotics Engineer III - Motion Planning leads the development, optimization, and large-scale deployment of motion planning architectures for fleet-wide AMR navigation. This position focuses on high-performance optimization, AI-driven behavioral planning, fail-safe recovery strategies, and large-scale robotic coordination. The Robotics Engineer III - Motion Planning designs and refines graph search, optimization-based planners, and reinforcement learning-based motion strategies while ensuring seamless integration with perception and real-time control.

Responsibilities

• Architect scalable motion planning frameworks for fleet-level AMR deployments.
• Develop and refine AI-driven motion planning (reinforcement learning, imitation learning, deep MPC).
• Implement real-time model predictive planners using CasADi, ACADOS, and convex/non-convex solvers.
• Design and implement advanced fail-safe motion planning strategies, including autonomous re-routing, recovery-based motion primitives, and redundant planning checks.
• Enhance multi-agent coordination strategies for large-scale robotic path planning and collision avoidance.
• Decompose complex behaviors into modular, reusable tree structures.
• Integrate graph-based, hierarchical, and predictive planning models for decision-making.
• Deploy AI-based planning models (e.g., learning-based cost functions, uncertainty-aware planners).
• Conduct large-scale simulation and on-robot validation to assess real-time system performance.
• Optimize cost-aware, energy-efficient, and high-speed trajectory planning for AMRs.
• Ensure robust software development, CI/CD implementation, and fault-tolerant motion control strategies.
• Lead cross-functional collaborations and mentor junior engineers in robotics motion planning.
• Other duties and projects, as assigned.

Requirements

Education:

• Master's Degree in Robotics, Engineering, Computer Science, or related field, required
• PhD in Robotics, Engineering, Computer Science, or related field, preferred

Experience

• 1 year as a Robotics Engineer II - Motion Planning or equivalent experience, preferred
• 4 years of experience in robotics motion planning, AI-driven decision models, or multi-agent autonomy.

Computer Skills

• Expertise in motion planning algorithms (Hybrid A*, RRT*, ILQR, AI-driven planning). Upon Hire, required
• Experience with CasADi, ACADOS, convex/non-convex optimization solvers. Upon Hire, required
• Advanced proficiency in C++/Python, ROS2, and high-performance robotic software development. Upon Hire, required
• Strong foundation in multi-agent fleet planning, reinforcement learning-based decision-making, and real-time control. Upon Hire, required

Additional Requirements

• Proven leadership in large-scale robotic motion planning. Upon Hire, required
• Strong research background with experience in industry robotics advancements. Upon Hire, required
• Experience deploying robotic systems in real-world industrial or logistics environments. Upon Hire, preferred
• Experience designing Behavior Trees (BTs) for high-level decision-making in autonomous systems. Upon Hire, preferred
• Understanding of perception integration for planning in dynamic environments. Upon Hire, required
• Strong mathematical foundation in optimization, graph theory, and control systems. Upon Hire, required

Competencies

• Collaboration and Communication - Vaux
• Execution and Ownership - Vaux
• Impact - Vaux
• Technical Leadership - Vaux
• Technical Skills - Vaux

Other Details

Work Hours

• Generally, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm with occasional irregular hours depending on workload.

Travel Requirements

• Occasional (25%-50%) Potential testing and data collection at customer sites.

Compensation

• This is a salary position paid biweekly.

About Us

ArcBest is a multibillion-dollar integrated logistics company that's helped businesses build better supply chains for over a century. With 14,000+ employees across 230 campuses and service centers, we connect owned assets, a broad brokerage network and innovative technology to deliver end-to-end supply chain solutions for customers around the world.