Senior Program Manager, Government & Defense at Merlin Labs

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

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Not SpecifiedCompensation

Senior (5 to 8 years)Experience Level

Full TimeJob Type

UnknownVisa

Aerospace, Defense, GovernmentIndustries

Requirements

8+ years of experience in program or project leadership roles, ideally within aerospace, defense, or high-stakes dual-use technologies
Proven success leading complex programs involving cross-functional teams and technical integration
Demonstrated ability to work closely with military customers and operational users, with a deep understanding of their constraints, language, and expectations
Strong understanding of program lifecycle from capture to delivery, including contract structuring, CDRLs, SOWs, and earned value metrics
Strong systems thinking and technical curiosity—you don’t need to be the engineer, but you know how to talk to one
Exceptional listening, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to build alignment between customers and internal teams
Ability to context switch between strategy, execution, and team dynamics across multiple efforts
Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Secret Security Clearance

Responsibilities

Own and lead a portfolio of government and defense programs, spanning autonomy integration, flight test, certification, and operational fielding
Drive program strategy and execution across multiple internal and external teams—including engineering, product, test, supply chain, and business development
Serve as the senior point of contact for customer engagements, program reviews, and critical milestones. Build trust and deliver with high accountability
Understand and interpret military customer needs and operator use cases, shaping internal roadmaps and priorities to align with mission success
Translate operator feedback and requirements into clear, actionable deliverables for engineering and test teams
Develop and manage integrated master schedules, financial plans, and program baselines across multiple workstreams
Identify and mitigate cross-program risks, resource constraints, and bottlenecks before they impact delivery
Contribute to and help lead capture activities, proposals, and new opportunity shaping alongside technical and business teams
Build and institutionalize execution processes and artifacts that scale as our portfolio grows (e.g., WBS frameworks, program rhythms, status reporting)
Provide mentorship and leadership across the broader program management organization

Skills

Key technologies and capabilities for this role

Program ManagementAutonomy IntegrationFlight TestingCertificationSupply Chain ManagementStakeholder ManagementBusiness Development

Questions & Answers

Common questions about this position

What experience is required for the Senior Program Manager role?

Candidates need 8+ years of experience in program or project leadership roles, ideally within aerospace, defense, or high-stakes dual-use technologies, with proven success leading complex programs involving cross-functional teams and technical integration, plus demonstrated ability to work closely with military customers.

What are the main responsibilities of this position?

Responsibilities include owning and leading government and defense programs, driving strategy and execution across teams, serving as the senior customer contact, translating military needs into deliverables, managing schedules and risks, contributing to capture activities, and providing mentorship.

Is this a remote position or does it require office work?

This information is not specified in the job description.

What is the salary or compensation for this role?

This information is not specified in the job description.

What kind of candidate is Merlin Labs looking for?

Merlin seeks a strategic operator with deep program leadership experience, technical fluency, stakeholder confidence, operational rigor, and the ability to thrive in dynamic environments, translate military needs into priorities, and act as a builder and force multiplier.

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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