Mechanical Engineer, Data Collection Hardware

Job Title: Mechanical Engineer, Data Collection Hardware

Department: Software Engineering

Employment Type: Full-Time

FLSA Status: Exempt

Location: Pensacola, FL

Travel: 10%

Who We Are

Persona 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?

• We offer competitive compensation, a performance-based bonus, 100% employer covered medical benefits for most healthcare plans, early-stage equity, competitive PTO, and 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

As a Mechanical Engineer focused on Data Collection Hardware, you will bridge the gap between human operators and humanoid kinematics. Your time will be spent in fast-paced rapid development of handheld UMI data-collection tools capable of capturing delicate contact dynamics. Later, there will be the opportunity for rigorous, precision engineering as you architect and build a hand and human exoskeletons.

To train robot foundation models at Persona, we will be relying on massive amounts of high-quality, human-demonstrated data, including rich force and tactile feedback. We are looking for a highly capable Mechanical Engineer to own the physical hardware our operators use to collect data. You will initially be responsible for rapidly iterating on agile, handheld Universal Manipulation Interface (UMI) devices.

What You Will Be Doing

• Force-Aware UMI Hardware Design: Design, rapid prototype, and assemble handheld UMI frames, grippers, and mounting rigs that accurately mimic our humanoid’s hand mechanics while integrating load cells and force-torque sensors to capture contact forces.

• Sensor & Actuator Integration: Design precise, vibration-resistant mounts for spatial tracking sensors, GoPros, embedded electronics, and force sensors in the UMI. Seamlessly integrate high-resolution encoders and haptic-feedback motors in the console to enable robust, force-aware data collection corresponding with the robot’s senses.

• Rapid Prototyping & Manufacturing: Seamlessly shift between rapid in-house 3D printing for UMI iterations and sourcing machined metal components (CNC, sheet metal) for the console structure.

• Design for Assembly and Design for Manufacturing: Should be proficient in DFM, DFA, and GD&T concepts.

  • Defining PCBA outlines when working with EE (mounting points, outline).

  • Choosing appropriate materials for housing.

  • Shock-vibe considerations.

  • Experience with industrial design and the human experience.

• Workstation Ergonomics (Human Factors): Apply human-factors engineering to design seating and viewing angles that accommodate the 5th to 95th percentile of human operators during extended, fatigue-free data collection sessions.

• IP rating considerations for equipment used outdoors (water resistance).

• Human ergonomics when designing for use with human hands.

• Basic thermal analysis for components mounted with hardware.

What We Are Looking For:

• Education: B.S., M.S., or Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, or a closely related field.

• CAD Proficiency: 4+ years of advanced experience with 3D CAD modeling software (OnShape, SolidWorks, Fusion 360, Siemens NX), managing both small parts and large, complex workstation assemblies.

• Precision Mechanism Design: Proven experience designing multi-axis kinematic systems, selecting bearings, and managing cable-drive or low-friction transmission systems.

• Force & Tactile Sensing Integration: Demonstrated experience integrating load cells, 6-axis force-torque (F/T) sensors, or tactile arrays into mechanical assemblies to capture physical interactions.

• Human-Factors Experience: Demonstrated understanding of ergonomic principles and designing hardware that physically interfaces with human users for long durations.

• Prototyping Expertise: Deep hands-on experience with both rapid prototyping (advanced 3D printing) and traditional manufacturing processes (machining, turning).

• Hardware-in-the-Loop: Experience designing enclosures and structural routing for delicate sensors, heavy optics/monitors, and cable management.

Bonus Skills:

• Previous experience in teleop and data collection devices, such as surgical robotics (e.g., designing consoles or master controllers for systems like Da Vinci, Monarch, or Ottava).

• Experienced with implementing optics/cameras, such as:

  • Accommodating FOV estimates.

  • Choosing appropriate window materials.

• Background in mechanical haptics, force-feedback systems, and admittance/impedance control hardware.

• Experience designing flight simulators, driving rigs, or high-end VR hardware.

• Familiarity with mechatronics and integrating smart servos into mechanical assemblies.

• Experience with designing human wearables (watch/pedometer/glasses).

Persona 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.