Director of Flight Test at Merlin Labs

North Kingstown, Rhode Island, United States

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Not SpecifiedCompensation

Expert & Leadership (9+ years), Senior (5 to 8 years)Experience Level

Full TimeJob Type

UnknownVisa

Aerospace, AviationIndustries

Requirements

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field (advanced degree preferred)
10+ years of aerospace flight test experience, with significant focus on experimental or developmental aircraft programs
Demonstrated success managing first-flight and experimental test programs for prototype aircraft
Deep knowledge of flight sciences, test instrumentation, telemetry, and data analysis specific to experimental testing
Expertise in FAA Part 21, Part 23/25, Part 27/29, or equivalent experimental certification processes
Proven leadership of multidisciplinary test teams in high-risk experimental environments
Strong technical communication skills, with the ability to brief both technical teams and executive stakeholders
Graduate of a recognized test pilot school or experimental flight test engineer program
Pilot certification (experimental or test pilot background)
Authorized to work in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship now or in the future

Responsibilities

Lead all experimental and prototype flight test activities, from concept through certification
Develop and execute test strategies for first flights, envelope expansion, systems validation, and performance testing
Oversee creation of flight test plans, safety risk assessments, hazard analyses, and flight readiness reviews
Partner closely with engineering teams to validate new designs, avionics, autonomy, propulsion, and control systems under test
Direct the work of test pilots, flight test engineers, instrumentation specialists, and ground crews during experimental campaigns
Ensure adherence to FAA/EASA/DoD experimental test standards and experimental certificate requirements
Manage relationships with regulatory authorities, DERs, and other stakeholders to align test programs with certification objectives
Provide leadership in accident/incident prevention, emergency response planning, and operational risk management
Present technical and program-level updates to senior leadership, partners, and certification bodies
Foster a culture of safety, innovation, and technical excellence within the test organization

Skills

Key technologies and capabilities for this role

Flight TestExperimental AircraftCertification ProgramsEnvelope ExpansionSafety Risk AssessmentHazard AnalysisFlight Readiness ReviewAvionicsAutonomy SystemsPropulsion SystemsControl SystemsFAA StandardsEASA StandardsDoD Standards

Questions & Answers

Common questions about this position

What qualifications are required for the Director of Flight Test role?

Candidates need a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field (advanced degree preferred), 10+ years of aerospace flight test experience focused on experimental or developmental aircraft, deep knowledge of flight sciences and FAA certification processes, proven leadership of multidisciplinary test teams, and graduation from a recognized test pilot school or experimental flight test engineer program with pilot certification.

What are the main responsibilities of the Director of Flight Test?

The role involves leading experimental and prototype flight test activities from concept through certification, developing test strategies, overseeing flight test plans and safety assessments, directing test pilots and engineers, ensuring regulatory compliance, managing stakeholder relationships, and fostering a culture of safety and innovation.

What is the salary or compensation for this position?

This information is not specified in the job description.

Is this a remote position, or is there a location requirement?

This information is not specified in the job description.

What kind of experience makes a strong candidate for this role?

A strong candidate is a proven leader in aerospace flight test with hands-on experience in experimental and certification programs, success managing first flights and envelope expansion, expertise in FAA certification processes, and leadership of multidisciplinary teams in high-risk environments, plus pilot certification from a recognized test pilot school.

Merlin Labs

Develops autonomous flight technology for aircraft

About Merlin Labs

Merlin Labs develops autonomous flight technology, specifically the Merlin Pilot, an advanced system designed to operate aircraft without human intervention. This system can be integrated into various types of aircraft, making it adaptable to different sizes and ages. The technology is being developed in collaboration with aviation authorities like the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration and the Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand to ensure it meets safety and regulatory standards. Unlike competitors, Merlin Labs takes a phased approach by initially pairing the autonomous system with human pilots, which helps ensure safety and build trust in the technology. The goal is to provide a scalable solution for commercial airlines, cargo transport companies, and private aircraft owners, positioning Merlin Labs as a significant player in the future of aviation.

Boston, MassachusettsHeadquarters

2019Year Founded

$166.1MTotal Funding

GRANTCompany Stage

Automotive & Transportation, AerospaceIndustries

51-200Employees

Benefits

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Life Insurance

Unlimited Paid Time Off

401(k) Company Match

Flexible Work Hours

Relocation Assistance

Risks

Competition from companies like Natilus challenges Merlin Labs' market position.

Regulatory approvals from FAA and CAA may delay market entry for Merlin Pilot.

Expansion of executive team could lead to internal management challenges.

Differentiation

Merlin Labs focuses on scalable autonomous flight systems adaptable to any aircraft.

The company partners with aviation authorities for safety and regulatory compliance.

Merlin Labs employs a phased approach, initially pairing autonomous systems with human pilots.

Upsides

Merlin Labs' acquisition of EpiSci enhances AI capabilities for military and defense markets.

Partnership with MIT Lincoln Laboratory boosts leadership in collision avoidance technology.

Certification System Bench accelerates testing, reducing time to market for flight systems.

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