Structural Robotics Assembler

Job Title: Structural Robotics Assembler

Department: Manufacturing – Robot Build

Employment Type: Full Time

FLSA: Non-Exempt (hourly; overtime paid at 1.5x)

Location: Houston, TX – Onsite

Who We Are

Persona AI is developing and commercializing rugged, multi-purpose humanoid robots that perform real work. Persona AI founding team has a decades-long history in humanoid robotics, bionics, and product development delivering robust hardware that has touched the stars, worked miles below the surface of the ocean, and even roamed Disney Parks. Our mission is focused squarely on shipping beautiful, reliable products at massive scale, while building a customer-focused team to achieve these aims.

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

You will build the machine itself. Persona AI's humanoids weld, grind, and inspect in shipyards and heavy fabrication shops — the jobs that wear out human bodies, in confined spaces and in the heat.

This is the structural line: torsos, limbs, and the major joints that carry load. A hip joint you build will carry the full weight of the machine through millions of cycles, in a shipyard, in the heat, with a welding torch at the end of the arm. Every one gets built by hand, here in Houston.

The parts are large, expensive, and machined to tight tolerances. You'll work with calibrated torque wrenches and multipliers, presses, induction bearing heaters, and overhead cranes. This is heavy work held to precision standards, which is a combination most shops don't ask for.

Motors and encoders arrive as sealed modules that you install mechanically and never open; harness building and electrical test belong to our electrical integration team.

If you have been a millwright, an industrial mechanic, a machine builder, a shipfitter, or an aerospace structures assembler, this is your trade pointed at something new. We are not here to replace the trades. We are building machines that take on the worst jobs in heavy industry, directed by the crews who know that work best.

What You'll Be Doing

• Assemble torso, chassis, and limb structures from engineering drawings and work instructions.

• Build actuator and joint modules, including strain-wave (harmonic) and planetary gear sets and ball and roller screw linear actuators, keeping serialized matched sets together.

• Install bearings, bushings, gears, seals, and press-fit parts without damage — including alignment, shimming, preload setting, and press or thermal methods for interference fits.

• Torque structural fasteners to specification with calibrated wrenches and torque multipliers; apply thread locker and witness-mark (torque stripe) per procedure.

• Verify each joint against acceptance criteria — backlash, no-load running torque, runout, and alignment — using micrometers, bore gauges, and dial indicators.

• Rig, hoist, and position major assemblies safely using lift assists and overhead cranes.

• Mate pre-terminated connectors and route and secure cable during housing closeout.

• Record build data accurately — serial numbers, matched sets, torque values, and measurements — in our shop floor build records.

• Flag parts, drawings, or steps that don't work as written. We would rather stop the line than ship a bad joint.

What We're Looking For

• High school diploma or GED.

• Hands-on mechanical experience from any industry — assembly, machine build, millwright or industrial mechanic work, heavy equipment maintenance, shipfitting, machining, or military maintenance training.

• Real skill with hand tools, including torque wrenches, drivers, pullers, and presses.

• Ability to read mechanical drawings and assembly work instructions.

• Comfort with precision measuring tools, or the interest to learn them. We will train you on anything you haven't used.

• Pride in workmanship — you notice when something is a half-turn off.

• Willingness to follow a documented process exactly, and to speak up when the process is wrong.

• Availability for overtime and occasional weekend work during production pushes, paid at 1.5x.

Bonus Skills

• Millwright, industrial machinery mechanic, or machine builder background.

• Tolerance-critical assembly in aerospace, automotive, oil and gas, medical device, or semiconductor equipment.

• Experience with actuators, gearboxes, harmonic or planetary gearing, servo motors, or ball and roller screws.

• Bearing installation using induction heaters, presses, or shim and preload methods.

• Overhead crane, hoist, forklift, or rigging certification.

• Military maintenance training — machinist's mate, hull technician, mechanic MOS, or Air Force maintenance.

• Three or more years of hands-on mechanical assembly, machine build, or industrial maintenance, which may qualify you at the Assembler II level.

Physical Requirements

• Handling components and assemblies weighing up to 50 lbs, occasionally throughout a shift. Hoists, lift assists, and team lifts are available and expected for heavier assemblies.

• Working at assembly stations across the production floor for the duration of a shift, with sustained use of hand tools.

• Accessing assembly points at varying heights and orientations, involving frequent bending, reaching, and kneeling.

• Wearing required PPE. These functions can be performed with or without reasonable accommodation; alternative signaling for audible alarms can be provided.

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.