Robotics Software Engineer, Manipulation

Salary: $155,000 - 235,000 per year Requirements:

• We look for a BS, MS, or PhD in Robotics, Computer Science, or a related discipline.
• We seek 7+ years of robotics experience, or 5+ years with an advanced degree, with a strong focus on control and manipulation of robotic or humanoid arms.
• We value a solid foundation in motion planning, control theory, and optimization.
• We expect demonstrated experience building advanced manipulation algorithms for tasks such as pick-and-place, bin picking, and door opening.
• We require proficiency in C++, Python, and robotics libraries such as MoveIt!, Drake, or OpenRAVE.
• We look for experience with trajectory optimization tools like IPOPT, SNOPT, or qpOASES.
• We value familiarity with modern deep learning methods for manipulation.
• We seek experience with computer vision techniques, sensors, point clouds, segmentation, and object detection.
• We prefer familiarity with ROS, LCM, or similar robotics middleware.
• We primarily consider candidates who have shipped products in autonomy, robotics, consumer products, medical devices, automotive, or aerospace.
• We also value advanced degrees and deep expertise.

• We design and implement advanced, dexterous manipulation algorithms for humanoid robots with high degrees of freedom and multi-fingered hands.
• We develop and refine the manipulation stack, including perception, grasping, trajectory optimization, motion planning, and control.
• We work on challenging behaviors such as precise grasping, dual-arm manipulation, and in-hand object manipulation.
• We implement robust control approaches for precise and dexterous manipulation, including force/motion control and visual or tactile servoing.
• We integrate the manipulation stack with the humanoid robots whole-body controller and contribute to loco-manipulation development.
• We build digital twins of manipulation scenes to support algorithm development using simulators such as MuJoCo and Isaac Sim.
• We conduct rigorous testing in simulation and in real-world environments.
• We collaborate closely with the machine learning team to help train and deploy models for advanced manipulation tasks.
• We stay current on the latest research and advancements in manipulation, using both traditional and deep learning-based approaches.
• We help shape the design of Personas humanoid robots and contribute to the companys culture as an inaugural engineer.

• AI
• ARM
• Computer Vision
• Support
• Machine Learning
• Python
• ROS
• Robotics
• C++

More:

Persona AI is building humanoid robots for demanding heavy-industry environments such as shipyards, steel mills, fabrication facilities, and offshore platforms, where the work includes welding, grinding, maintenance, inspection, and material handling. We are backed by leading strategic and financial investors and work with global industrial leaders across Korea, Japan, the United States, and Singapore, with Korea serving as the center of gravity for our early commercial strategy. This full-time role is based in Houston, TX with 10% travel and in-person work, and we offer competitive compensation, a performance-based bonus, 99% employer-covered medical benefits, early-stage equity, competitive PTO, a paid winter break from December 24th to January 2nd, and benefits including 401(k), dental, health, life, vision, parental leave, professional development assistance, relocation assistance, retirement plan, flexible schedule, and an on-site gym.

last updated 35 week of 2026