Senior Program Manager, Autonomy

Merlin Labs; Boston; On-site; PHP 5,799,755 - 7,936,507; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Unlimited vacation

401k with match

Job summary

Merlin Labs is seeking a Senior Program Manager based in Boston, MA. You will lead a portfolio of high-impact defense programs, ensuring successful integration and deployment of autonomy technologies. The role demands a blend of technical fluency and deep program leadership experience, with responsibilities spanning project strategy and execution across cross-functional teams. Ideal candidates will have 8+ years in aerospace or defense, demonstrating strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills. The position offers a competitive benefits package and a vibrant startup environment.

Qualifications

• Proven success leading complex programs involving cross-functional teams.
• Exceptional listening and communication skills for stakeholder engagement.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Secret Security Clearance.

Responsibilities

• Own and lead a portfolio of government and defense programs.
• Drive program strategy and execution across internal and external teams.
• Serve as senior point of contact for customer engagements.

Skills

Program leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Systems thinking

Technical fluency

Communication skills

Education

8+ years of experience in aerospace or defense

Job description

About Merlin

Merlin is a venture backed aerospace startup building a non-human pilot to enable both reduced crew and uncrewed flight. Backed by some of the world’s leading investors, Merlin is scaling alongside our customers to begin leveraging autonomy today to solve some of aviation’s biggest challenges.

About You

You are a strategic operator with deep program leadership experience and a passion for delivering mission-critical outcomes. As a Senior Program Manager at Merlin, you’ll play a pivotal role in leading and scaling a portfolio of high-impact customer-facing defense and autonomy programs—from early-stage capture through successful deployment and fielding.

You bring a rare blend of technical fluency, stakeholder confidence, and operational rigor. You thrive in dynamic environments where ambiguity is the norm and execution velocity is critical. You have the ability to listen deeply, translate military operator needs into technical and programmatic priorities, and guide teams toward impactful delivery. You’re not just a program manager—you’re a builder, an integrator, and a force multiplier. If you’re excited by the opportunity to shape the future of aviation while growing enduring customer relationships, we’d love to meet you.

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.

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.

Nice to Haves

• Experience scaling program teams or building new operating models in high‑growth environments.
• Prior experience in autonomy, mission systems, or flight control integration.
• Familiarity with government acquisition and test processes (DoD 5000 series, AFWERX, DIU, etc.).
• Active Security Clearance.

This position is based on‑site at Merlin HQ in Boston, MA.

Merlin Labs offers an innovative, entrepreneurial, and team‑focused startup environment. We also offer a top‑notch benefits package (health, dental, life, unlimited vacation, and 401k with match) and work/life integration. Being part of the Merlin team allows you to become part of a small team that supports professional development while working together to achieve our mission.

Merlin Labs is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, genetic information, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, military service or obligation or disability status, or any other characteristic protected by law. All job offers are contingent upon the candidate passing background and reference checks.

At this time, we are unable to provide visa sponsorship or consider candidates who require visa transfers. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship now or in the future.

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

If you require reasonable accommodation in completing an application, interviewing, completing any pre‑employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to: [e-mail]

Merlin Labs does not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than directly from candidates.