Aerospace Autonomy Program Manager

Merlin; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 195,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Catered lunches

Snacks & beverages

On-site facilities

Job summary

Merlin Labs is seeking a Technical Program Manager in Boston, MA to lead complex aerospace and defense programs spanning autonomy development, flight test, and certification. You will coordinate internal teams, subcontractors, and government customers to maintain alignment, transparency, and momentum.

The role requires 5+ years managing technical programs, strong PM and communication skills, and the ability to obtain a U.S. Secret Security Clearance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or related technical field.
• 5+ years of experience managing complex technical programs—ideally within aerospace, defense, or autonomy.
• Demonstrated success delivering integrated hardware-software systems under high accountability.
• Technical fluency—you can engage deeply with engineers and recognize risks and tradeoffs.
• Expert-level project management skills—tools, methods, and the ability to bring order to chaos.
• Strong communicator—able to engage diverse technical and non-technical audiences.
• Proven ability to work within dynamic environments and adapt to evolving priorities.
• Ability to obtain a U.S. Secret Security Clearance.

Responsibilities

• Own delivery of complex cross-functional aerospace and defense programs—spanning autonomy development, flight test, integration, and certification
• Drive technical execution rhythms across engineering, systems integration, certification, flight test, and business stakeholders
• Serve as the central point of coordination for internal teams, subcontractors, and government customers—ensuring alignment, transparency, and trust
• Define and maintain detailed program plans, including scope, milestones, dependencies, and risk mitigation strategies
• Identify blockers early and drive resolution through structured problem-solving and escalation
• Shape and manage program scopes and deliverables in alignment with contractual, technical, and business objectives
• Support capture and proposal efforts by developing cost estimates, technical inputs, and schedules
• Lead stakeholder communications—from internal reviews to formal customer engagements and milestone briefings
• Build scalable processes and tools that improve execution velocity and visibility across projects
• Travel up to 25% to support key integration events, flight test campaigns, and customer engagements

Skills

PM experience

Aerospace/Defense

Hardware-software

Technical fluency

Communication

Security clearance

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or related technical field

Job description

Merlin Labs is seeking a Technical Program Manager in Boston, MA to lead complex aerospace and defense programs spanning autonomy development, flight test, and certification. You will coordinate internal teams, subcontractors, and government customers to maintain alignment, transparency, and momentum.

The role requires 5+ years managing technical programs, strong PM and communication skills, and the ability to obtain a U.S. Secret Security Clearance.