Mechanical Design Engineer (Hand/End-Effector aDesign)

Persona AI is developing and commercializing rugged, multi-purpose humanoid robots that perform real work. Persona’s 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, roamed Disney Parks, and has even been featured on a US postage stamp. Our mission is focused squarely on shipping beautiful, reliable products at massive scale, while building a customer-focused team to achieve these aims.

We're looking for exceptional people who dream big, thrive on challenges, and love seeing their designs come to life. We are primarily interested in candidates who have shipped products in the fields of autonomy, robotics, consumer products, medical devices, automotive, or aerospace. We also value advanced degrees and deep expertise.

As an inaugural engineer at Persona, you will have an incredible opportunity to shape the design of Persona’s humanoid robots, while also helping set the culture of the company. If you're passionate about cutting-edge technology and want to be part of a world-class team we'd love to hear from you.

Your Role:

• Create and refine mechanical designs for advanced humanoid robotics, including actuators, manipulators, and integrated systems.
• Own your designs from initial sketches through CAD modeling, prototyping, manufacturing, testing, and deployment
• Conduct simulations, structural analysis, and performance evaluations to optimize system functionality.
• Generate comprehensive documentation, including CAD drawings, block diagrams, test plans, fabrication, and assembly instructions.
• Interface with external manufacturing partners to optimize designs for manufacturing, testing, and assembly.
• Engage hands-on in the lab, transforming your designs from ideas to production systems through rapid, iterative, development cycles. 
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teammates (electrical, software, controls, UX/UI, and designers) to ensure seamless integration across the product.
• Solve fascinating engineering challenges daily, pushing the boundaries of robotics technology.

We’re Looking For:

• Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing, Robotics, Biomechatronics, Mechatronics, or related fields.
• 7 years of experience (5 years with advanced degree) designing mechanical systems in consumer products, robotics, aerospace, medical, automotive, or similar fields.
• Proven track record shipping products to market, ideally at scale.
• Experience designing for high-volume mass manufacturing DFM processes such as injection molding, sheet metal, stamping, composites, or CNC machining.
• Practical experience with prototyping tools, manufacturing techniques, and material selection.
• Expert CAD user (Onshape, SolidWorks, Catia, Creo, Fusion, etc.) with a passion for precise, elegant, scalable design.
• Strong mastery of mechanical engineering fundamentals.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the tenacity to tackle complex challenges, comfortable performing detailed engineering analyses (FEA, hand calculations, etc.).
• A friendly, collaborative mindset, strong communication skills, and excitement to work hands-on in a dynamic, supportive team environment; design without ego.
• Proficient understanding of tolerance analysis and GD&T.

Preferred or Bonus Qualifications:

• Hands-on experience with humanoid robotics, exoskeletons, or other articulated mechanical systems
• Familiarity with motors, actuators, transmissions (planetary, cycloidal, strain-wave), bearings, or cable drives
• Experience designing cable harnesses, wire routing, or flexible PCBs
• Ability to analyze thermal systems (hand calculations or FEA)
• Proficiency in C, Python, MATLAB, or similar analytical tools
• Familiarity with classical or modern controls
• Preference toward working in interdisciplinary, fast-paced environments.
• Experience collaborating with industrial designers, human factors, or UX/UI teams
• Skilled at complex surface geometry and tight packaging constraints in CAD
• Comfortable working in a machine shop (mill, lathe, etc.)
• Keen attention to detail and craftsmanship, including fit and finish

Why join Persona AI?

• You'll shape technology that's redefining the possibilities of robotics and human interaction.
• Work alongside passionate teammates who value diversity, creativity, and continuous learning.
• Enjoy full access to advanced prototyping tools, labs, and the freedom to experiment and innovate.
• We offer competitive compensation, excellent benefits, flexible work environment, and equity opportunities.