Vice President of Autonomy at Merlin Labs

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

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Not SpecifiedCompensation

Expert & Leadership (9+ years)Experience Level

Full TimeJob Type

UnknownVisa

Aerospace, AviationIndustries

Requirements

BS/MS in Computer Science, Robotics, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field
10+ years of experience in autonomy software development, with 5+ years in engineering leadership roles
Deep expertise in one or more autonomy domains: GNC, path planning, multi-agent coordination, behavior trees/state machines, etc
Strong track record delivering real-world autonomy systems in aviation, defense, robotics, or space
Familiarity with safety-critical software development and relevant standards (DO-178C, MISRA, etc.)
Experience managing complex software teams, including agile workflows and large codebases
Skilled in C, C++, Python, and real-time systems development
Excellent cross-functional collaboration and communication skills
Nice to Haves
Pilot experience
Experience developing autonomy software for airworthy aircraft (Part 23/25 or military equivalents)

Responsibilities

Lead the Autonomy Software team developing flight, mission, and campaign autonomy capabilities for the Merlin Pilot
Define and evolve software architecture in partnership with the Chief Product Officer, CTO, Chief Architect and Systems Engineering team
Ensure on-time delivery of modular, testable, and airworthy autonomy software that meets system-level performance and safety requirements
Oversee software development, integration, and test across all layers of autonomy—perception, planning, guidance/navigation/control (GNC), decision-making, and behavior modeling
Drive use of modern software practices, including modern version control and release techniques, automated builds, simulation-in-the-loop testing, and traceable requirements
Collaborate closely with Simulation, Compute Integration, and Systems teams to enable effective development and validation workflows
Foster a strong technical culture focused on clarity, ownership, safety, and continuous improvement
Mentor and grow engineers and technical leads within the team
Partner with the VP of Merlin Pilot Engineering to align staffing, schedule, and priorities to the product roadmap
Support regulatory and customer engagements, including technical documentation and test plans for certification/accreditation where required

Skills

Key technologies and capabilities for this role

Autonomy SoftwareFlight ControlNavigationPerceptionDecision-MakingMission BehaviorsSoftware ArchitectureSimulationSafety-Critical SystemsModular ArchitecturesRoboticsAviation Software

Questions & Answers

Common questions about this position

What is the employment type for this role?

This is a full-time position.

What salary or compensation is offered for the Vice President of Autonomy role?

This information is not specified in the job description.

What experience and skills are required for this position?

Candidates need proven technical leadership with deep experience in autonomy software from aviation, space, robotics, or high-assurance systems, knowledge of building safety-critical autonomy including modular architectures, simulation support, and rigorous processes, plus ability to thrive in fast-paced environments and coach engineers.

What is the company culture like at Merlin Labs?

Merlin fosters a fast-paced environment with a strong technical culture focused on clarity, ownership, safety, continuous improvement, clean code, crisp interfaces, and balancing innovation with engineering discipline.

What makes a strong candidate for the VP of Autonomy role?

A strong candidate is a hands-on technical leader excited about software that flies, with experience leading autonomy teams in safety-critical domains, partnering across engineering teams, and driving modern software practices like simulation-in-the-loop testing and traceable requirements.

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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