Humanoid Robotics Software Internship

Location: Pensacola, FL or Houston, TX Department: Persona AI Employment Type: Intern Location Type: On-site

Who We Are

Persona AI 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.

We're seeking a Humanoid Robotics Software Intern to join our team in Houston, TX or Pensacola, FL and contribute to the software systems that bring our humanoid robots to life. You'll work on robotics software including perception, locomotion, manipulation, and machine learning systems.

Based on team needs, you may work on things such as

Humanoid Locomotion: Develop algorithms for walking, balance, and bipedal movement control systems

Perception Systems: Work on computer vision, sensor fusion, and environmental understanding capabilities

Manipulation Software: Contribute to robotic arm and hand control systems for grasping and dexterous manipulation

Machine Learning: Implement learning algorithms, training pipelines, and model optimization for robotic applications

Autonomy: Develop navigation, planning, and decision-making algorithms for real-world operation

Platform Software: Build the core infrastructure, tooling, and runtime systems that power the robot stack

What You'll Learn

Hands-on experience with humanoid robotics software development

Advanced robotics algorithms including SLAM, path planning, and control theory

Machine learning applications in robotics and autonomous systems

Real-time software development and embedded systems programming

Collaborative software development in a fast-paced startup environment

Qualifications

Currently pursuing Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD degree in Computer Science, Robotics, Software Engineering, or related field

Genuine curiosity and passion for robotics, AI, or autonomous systems

Eagerness to learn and tackle complex technical challenges

Programming experience in Python and/or C++ through coursework, research, or projects

Willingness to dive into new technologies and frameworks

Strong problem-solving mindset with persistence when debugging code

Preferred Experience

Any coursework, personal projects, or hackathons involving programming or software development

Basic exposure to robotics concepts, machine learning, or computer vision (through classes or personal interest)

Familiarity with version control systems (Git) or software development practices

Previous internship, co-op, or project experience in any technical field

Participation in coding clubs, programming competitions, or open-source projects

Technical Areas of Interest

Perception: Computer vision, sensor fusion, SLAM

Locomotion: Bipedal walking, balance, gait planning

Manipulation: Arm control, grasping, dexterous manipulation

Machine Learning: Reinforcement learning, computer vision, planning

Systems: Real-time control, embedded software, robotics middleware

Our Internship Program

At Persona AI, our internship program gives you direct, hands-on experience building cutting-edge humanoid robotics alongside industry experts. We offer full-time term opportunities across three upcoming cohorts:

Spring 2027: January – May

Summer 2027: May – August

Fall 2027: August – December

As an intern, you’ll be paired 1:1 with a senior engineer mentor to accelerate your growth and guide your technical contributions. You will bond with your cohort through intern group lunches, gain cross-functional perspective during company-wide learning lunches, and unwind with fun team activities throughout the term. Whether you're working on advanced motion planning or real-world system testing, you'll tackle meaningful engineering challenges while immersing yourself in our collaborative startup culture.

Application Review Process

We review applications on a rolling basis, and roles may fill before the posted deadline. To give yourself the best chance of securing a spot, keep these tips in mind:

Apply Early: Submitting your resume as soon as possible ensures your materials are reviewed before interview slots fill up.

Cohort Availability: Popular terms, especially Summer 2027, tend to reach capacity quickly.

Rolling Interviews: Interviews and candidate evaluations begin immediately upon application receipt.

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.