William Johnson Jr. spent his life proving that barriers can be broken, on land and sea, deep below the ocean’s surface.
Born and raised in Houston’s Homestead neighborhood, Johnson overcame early challenges to carve out a 25-year career that spans the U.S. Navy, global oil and gas operations and the emerging field of underwater robotics.
Today, as CEO and founder of W. Johnson Consulting, he’s focused on training a new generation to seize opportunities in industries where African Americans are underrepresented.
Johnson’s story begins at Forest Brook High School, where a collision repair course sparked his interest in mechanics and electronics.
“Sports was my thing, but by 11th grade I found out I could fix cars and install stereos,” he recalls.
That hands-on foundation eventually pointed him toward the Navy, where he enlisted in 2000.
What started as a plan to paint airplanes became an intensive education in hydraulics, pneumatics and electronics. Johnson maintained aviation systems and served three years as a Navy recruiter in Houston, earning “Recruiter of the Year” honors in 2007.
His recruiting strategy was simple but effective. The Navy could provide financial stability, education and career paths beyond combat. By framing service like a scholarship, “$100,000 for four years,” helped more than 200 young Houstonians launch new lives.
The Navy also exposed Johnson to robotics. His training as a hydraulic technician translated directly into the world of ROVs, or remotely operated vehicles, used in subsea operations. When he transitioned to the oil and gas industry, Johnson became a sought-after expert in offshore ROV operations, a field he has worked in for more than 17 years.
Yet, as he advanced, he couldn’t ignore what he didn’t see: Other Black professionals in the field.
“In the last 25 years, I never had a supervisor who looked like me, or a colleague working next to me who looked like me. That’s when I realized, as easy as this work became for me, I could take the same skills back to my community.”
William Johnson Jr.
That realization drives Johnson’s current mission. Through W. Johnson Consulting, he trains young people in robotics and mechatronics with an approach that blends technical rigor and cultural relevance. Using Xbox controllers, drones and even video game simulations, he makes robotics accessible and relatable.
He is an instructor in partnership with Prairie View A&M University and Serjobs, hosting a 31-day comprehensive training program to equip the next generation of subsea professionals with unparalleled expertise in operating and maintaining the cutting-edge VideoRay Defender Pro 5 ROV.
His classes are 90% hands-on, with students tearing down and rebuilding machines before learning to operate them in water.
Andrew Willis, a recent graduate of his six-week course, entered the program after three years as an electrician. He had never imagined a future in robotics until Johnson’s training changed his perspective.
“I thought I was just going to be an electrician, that was it,” Willis said. “But meeting Mr. Johnson and going through the class opened my eyes. Every day we talked to millionaires, learned from their plans and saw that we could set our own goals. It showed me this is something special, something you can’t just Google.”
He also carried away lessons that went beyond technology. Johnson’s practice of starting each day with a proverb left an impression.
Discipline is just as important as technical know-how. Johnson incorporates lessons from Bible proverbs alongside military values of honor, courage and commitment.
“They need mental discipline,” Johnson said. “If a $20,000 part floods because you didn’t tighten a plug, you have to own that mistake. That’s integrity.”
The goal is bigger than just jobs; it’s about creating what Johnson calls the “Blue Workforce.” Subsea industries are growing with more than 70% of the Earth covered by water and critical resources like oil and gas drawn from the sea. Johnson believes communities of color must have a place in that future.
“Most people don’t realize that the same 120 volts you use to blow-dry your hair powers these robots,” he explained. “The same chips are in your phone and this equipment. Once our people see the connection, it’s not intimidating anymore.”
Johnson’s desires to train at least 331 individuals by 2031, bring robotics curricula into Houston high schools and eventually transform North Houston into a hub for underwater robotics and inspection services.
He likens his philosophy to merging the ideas of W.E.B. Du Bois and Booker T. Washington. Johnson said, “Du Bois believed in education, Booker T. believed in trades. I want to bring both together so our young people become better-suited individuals who can change society through their skills, mindset and income.”
Programs are already running every quarter, with support from partners like United Way and SERJobs, which aim to eliminate student costs. Graduates can enter high-demand roles in oil and gas, robotics maintenance and inspection, where starting pay can reach $1,000 daily.
“I want North Houston to be known as a place where robotics is changing lives,” he said. “We can’t just tread water, we have to own it.”
