Senior Assembly Technician

Persona AI Inc; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 52,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

Persona AI is seeking a Senior Assembly Technician to lead the build and testing of electromechanical systems for our humanoid robot. You will set up test benches, maintain manufacturing workflows, and assist engineers with diagnostics, validation, and continuous improvement.

You will collaborate closely with mechanical and electrical engineers, manage lab inventory, enforce safety, and document setups and hardware changes to support early design iterations.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• 4+ years hands-on experience with actuators or electromechanical assemblies in a lab or R&D.
• Strong mechanical aptitude with experience with motors, encoders, gearboxes, and sensors.
• Experience with data collection tools (Python, MATLAB, or LabVIEW) is a plus.
• Excellent attention to detail and ability to follow engineering instructions.

Responsibilities

• Lead the build and assembly of robotic systems and subsystems.
• Perform mechanical and electrical assembly work (soldering, crimping, bearing swaps, housing mods) to support pre-production systems.
• Set up and maintain testing infrastructure (test benches, equipment, fixtures and support equipment).
• Assist in the assembly, calibration, and debugging of custom actuators.
• Collaborate with mechanical and electrical engineers to influence early design and assembly methods.
• Contribute to root-cause analysis and design iteration.
• Maintain lab inventory of parts such as motors, encoders, gearboxes, bearings, sensors, cables, fasteners, tools.
• Enforce safety procedures and maintain a clean lab environment.
• Document test setups, lab procedures, and hardware configuration changes.

Skills

Mechanical aptitude

Diagnostics

Root-cause analysis

Actuator tuning

CAD familiarity

Embedding debugging (PCB)

Data collection tools

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Python

MATLAB

LabVIEW

Job description

Job Title: Senior Assembly Technician

Department: Manufacturing

Employment Type: Full-Time

Location: Houston, TX

Travel: N/A

Who We Are

Persona AI is building humanoid robots for the most demanding environments in heavy industry — shipyards, steel mills, fabrication facilities, and offshore platforms — performing welding, grinding, maintenance, inspection, and material-handling work that is dangerous, physically demanding, and increasingly difficult to staff.

We are backed by leading strategic and financial investors and engaged with global industrial leaders across Korea, Japan, the United States, and Singapore. Korea is the center of gravity for our early commercial strategy, anchored by relationships with the world’s leading shipbuilders and steelmakers. Our work spans both the robot platform itself and the systems, partners, and playbooks required to deploy it at scale.

Why Join Persona AI?

• We offer competitive compensation, a performance-based bonus, 99% employer covered medical benefits, early-stage equity, competitive PTO, and a company-wide paid winter break between December 24th and January 2nd.

• You’ll shape technology that’s redefining the possibilities of robotics and human interaction.

• Work alongside passionate teammates who value creativity, and continuous learning.

About the Role

We are looking for a Senior Assembly Technician to support assembly, test and refinement of electromechanical systems for our humanoid robot. This role involves setting up custom test infrastructure, maintaining precise manufacturing workflows, and supporting engineers with diagnostics, validation, and continuous improvement of the product.

What You Will Be Doing

• Lead the build and assembly of robotic systems and subsystems.

• Perform mechanical and electrical assembly work (e.g., soldering, crimping, bearing swaps, housing mods) to support pre-production systems.

• Set up and maintain testing infrastructure (test benches, equipment, fixtures and support equipment).

• Assist in the assembly, calibration, and debugging of custom actuators.

• Collaborate closely with mechanical and electrical engineers to influence early design and assembly methods.

• Contribute to root-cause analysis and design iteration.

• Maintain lab inventory of custom and off-the-shelf parts, such as motors, encoders, gearboxes, bearings, torque sensors, cables, fasteners, tools etc.

• Enforce safety procedures and maintain a clean, organized lab environment.

• Document test setups, lab procedures, and hardware configuration changes.

What We Are Looking For

• High school diploma or equivalent.

• 4+ years hands-on experience working with actuators or electromechanical assemblies in a lab or R&D environment.

• Strong mechanical aptitude: comfortable with tools, torque specs, alignment, and precision assembly. Familiarity with brushed/brushless motors, encoders, gearboxes, and force/torque sensors. Experience with test instrumentation (e.g., load cells, power analyzers, thermal cameras).

• Competency with data collection tools (Python, MATLAB, or LabVIEW experience a plus).

• Excellent attention to detail, documentation habits, and ability to follow engineering instructions.

Bonus Skills

• Knowledge of actuator control tuning and closed-loop testing methodologies.

• Knowledge of IPC standards for chassis wiring and printed circuit assembly.

• CAD familiarity for modifying or inspecting parts.

• Basic PCB rework or embedded system debug experience.

_ Persona AI is an Equal Opportunity Employer. _

_ All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. _