Vice President of Systems Engineering at Merlin Labs

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

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Not SpecifiedCompensation

Expert & Leadership (9+ years)Experience Level

Full TimeJob Type

UnknownVisa

AerospaceIndustries

Requirements

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Systems Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field
12+ years of experience in aerospace systems engineering, including significant leadership roles
Demonstrated success delivering complex avionics and autonomy systems in an integrated aerospace platform
Strong experience in requirements development, system architecture, V&V, integration, and certification for safety-critical systems
Fluency in system design methods such as MBSE, SysML, DOORS, and system safety standards (e.g., ARP4754A, DO-178C, DO-254)
Familiarity with FAA certification pathways or military airworthiness standards

Responsibilities

Provide systems-level leadership across the full product lifecycle, including architecture, integration, V&V, and certification
Translate high-level mission and customer requirements into well-defined system architectures and technical requirements
Lead the design and integration of complex autonomous systems, including avionics, flight controls, navigation, perception, and human-machine interfaces
Bridge the customer and technical domains—ensuring stakeholder needs and regulatory drivers are reflected in the technical roadmap
Build and lead a world-class systems engineering team with deep expertise in autonomy, avionics, and safety-critical systems
Develop and manage systems engineering processes, tools, and infrastructure, including requirements traceability, interface control, and MBSE frameworks
Serve as technical lead for architecture reviews, design trades, FMEAs, and hazard analyses across subsystems
Collaborate with cross-functional engineering, product, and regulatory teams to ensure safe, certifiable system performance
Engage with civil or defense certification authorities (e.g., FAA, DoD) and ensure alignment with applicable regulatory framework

Skills

Avionics

Autonomous Systems

Flight Controls

Navigation

Perception

Sensor Integration

Safety-Critical Software

Systems Architecture

V&V

Certification

Human-Machine Interfaces

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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