Senior Technical Recruiter - Robotics Engineering and Operations

Job Title: Senior Technical Recruiter — Robotics Engineering and Operations

Department: People Operations

Employment Type: Full Time

FLSA: Exempt

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 consisting of seven consecutive days off between Christmas and New Year's.

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

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

• Enjoy full access to best-in-class sourcing tools and a strong employer brand — everything you need to recruit effectively from day one.

About the Role

Persona AI is building humanoid robots that perform real work, and we’re growing fast. To do that, we need world-class technical talent — the kind that doesn’t apply to job postings and has to be found, engaged, and won over. The Senior Technical Recruiter is the person who makes that happen.

Reporting to the Head of Talent, you’ll work directly with hiring managers across engineering, robotics, and operations to source and close exceptional candidates for some of the most technically demanding roles in the industry. This isn’t a coordination role or a process role — it’s a pure recruiting role for someone who loves the hunt, thrives on building relationships with hard-to-reach talent, and knows how to close. You’ll carry a req load, run your own searches, and be the driving force behind filling critical positions that directly impact our ability to ship product.

What We Are Looking For:

• 5–10 years of full-cycle recruiting experience, primarily at a staffing agency or executive search firm (not purely corporate recruiting).

• Demonstrated track record of filling highly technical engineering or deep-tech roles across robotics, mechatronics, embedded systems, ML/AI, and related disciplines.

• Expert-level sourcing skills, including Boolean search, LinkedIn Recruiter, GitHub, academic networks, AI sourcing tools, and alternative channels beyond job boards.

• Strong hiring manager partnership skills: conducting effective intake meetings, translating ambiguous requirements into focused searches, and keeping stakeholders aligned.

• Proven ability to engage and close passive candidates through compelling outreach, strong follow-through, and eliciting responses from individuals not actively looking.

• Ability to successfully manage multiple open requisitions simultaneously without sacrificing quality or velocity on any search.

• Confident in handling offer conversations, managing counteroffers, and ensuring candidates progress through to their start date without issues.

• Proven track record of closing out-of-market candidates on relocation by overcoming hesitation, persuasively promoting Houston as a career and lifestyle destination, and supporting candidates’ emotional journey (with logistics handled by a dedicated partner; you handle the conviction).

Bonus Skills:

• Prior recruiting experience in robotics, aerospace, defense, advanced manufacturing, or deep-tech hardware.

• Existing relationships within the Houston engineering, aerospace, or tech talent community.

• Familiarity with ATS platforms such as Ashby, Rippling, Greenhouse, Lever, or similar.

• Experience recruiting for organizations with 50–300 employees in a high-growth environment.

• Background recruiting for hardware or deep-tech companies where candidates are rare and every req requires a custom sourcing strategy.

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.