Aircraft Modification Manager

Merlin Labs; North Kingstown (RI); On-site; USD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Unlimited vacation

401k with match

Career growth

Job summary

Merlin Labs in Rhode Island is seeking an experienced Aircraft Modification Lead to plan and execute modifications designed by engineers, manage manpower, and ensure airworthiness of aircraft throughout upgrades. The role involves coordinating with internal teams and external contractors, and maintaining compliance with FAA guidance.

The ideal candidate has an A&P license, 5+ years in aviation maintenance and modification, 2+ years in leadership, and strong communication skills.

Qualifications

• Must hold a valid A&P license.
• 5+ years of aviation maintenance experience.
• 5+ years in aircraft modification.
• 2+ years in a leadership role.
• Excellent communication and problem-solving skills.
• Willingness to work on the hangar floor, aircraft, and office.
• Strong collaboration with departments and FAA liaison.

Responsibilities

• Plan and execute aircraft modifications designed by company engineers.
• Provide aircraft status updates and downtime forecasts.
• Plan manpower and hire modification team personnel.
• Manage subordinate aircraft modification personnel.
• Coordinate with contracting agencies and determine external involvement.
• Ensure modifications keep aircraft airworthy and compliant.
• Perform inspections, repairs, and component changes per procedures.
• Maintain maintenance records and liaise with FAA and engineers.
• Ensure tools, manuals, and data are available for the team.

Skills

A&P License

Aviation Maintenance

Aircraft Modification

Leadership

Customer Service

MS Office & Google Suite

Education

Bachelor degree in aviation maintenance, engineering or management

IA certification

Tools

Microsoft Office

Google Workspace

Job description

About Merlin

Merlin (NASDAQ: MRLN) is a publicly traded aerospace and defense company building a non‑human pilot to deliver full‑stack autonomy for any aircraft from takeoff to touchdown. The Merlin Pilot autonomy system powers a growing range of aircraft and mission profiles and has been proven through hundreds of autonomous flights from Merlin's global flight test facilities, including Kerikeri, New Zealand; Quonset Point, Rhode Island; and soon, Bedford, Massachusetts. Headquartered in Boston, Merlin is expanding its organization to accelerate the development and deployment of its autonomy platform, helping customers solve some of aviation's most pressing challenges, from pilot shortages to improving flight safety. Backed by some of the world's leading investors prior to its public listing, Merlin continues to advance the certification and commercialization of autonomous flight across commercial and defense aviation.

About You

The ideal candidate has a passion for aviation and a solid foundation in aircraft maintenance and support shop management. Attention to detail is crucial, as the role requires thorough modification planning and understanding of maintenance and inspection procedures. Strong problem solving skills are essential for diagnosing and resolving complex aircraft systems issues. Adaptability is key to thriving in our fast‑paced environment, and the ability to work independently is highly valued. Excellent communication skills are necessary for effectively collaborating across our relevant department stakeholders. Safety remains a priority, and the candidate should demonstrate a proactive approach to identifying and mitigating risks. Initiative, professionalism, and a commitment to continuous learning are also highly valued traits in this role.

Responsibilities

• Plan and execute aircraft modifications designed by company engineers.
  
  
  
  • Provide aircraft status updates and the forecast downtimes to facilitate installations and modifications
  
  
  
  


• Plan manpower and hire modification team personnel


• Manage subordinate aircraft modification personnel.
  
  
  
  • Ensure all maintenance technicians are qualified and trained
  
  
  
  


• Determine when external agents should assist with or fully execute modifications.
  
  
  
  • Coordinate with contracting agencies when their services are needed
  
  
  
  


• Ensure company aircraft are modified in a manner to remain in -or return to- an airworthy condition.


• Accomplish all aircraft inspections, repairs, and component changes in a timely manner and in accordance with manufacturers or FAA approved procedures.


• Maintain close liaison with
  
  
  
  • The aircraft coordinator who is responsible for scheduling test article access and configuration records.
  
  
  • Design engineers developing modifications
  
  
  • Flight Test Instrumentation Engineers responsible for installing and calibrating special instrumentation.
  
  
  • Assist Director of Maintenance to ensure compliance with maintenance procedures, airworthiness directives, service, bulletins, service letters, and applicable Federal Aviation Regulations.
  
  
  • Manufacturer's representatives, parts supply houses, repair facilities and the FAA.
  
  
  
  


• Ensure modification personnel are equipped with the necessary tools, parts, overhaul manuals, service bulletins, service letters, airworthiness directives, applicable sections of this manual, and any other required technical data.


• Maintain all necessary work records, logbooks, and permanent maintenance records.


• Interact with the appropriate regulatory agencies (e.g., FAA) to maintain the required certifications for all aircraft (e.g., experimental certifications) and own end-to-end processes for creation and submission.

Qualifications

• Must have a valid A&P License


• Must have a valid driver’s license


• Must have 5+ years of experience in Aviation Maintenance


• Must have 5+ years experience in aircraft modification


• Must have 2+ years’ experience in a leadership role


• Strong customer service and communication skills, both written and verbal are essential.


• Ability to adapt to priority changes and short timelines when needed.


• Work efficiently and accurately with frequent interruptions, and set/re-set multiple priorities.


• Maintain a positive team attitude and coordinate effectively with all other company departments while keeping the company goals as priority


• Must be willing to work on the hangar floor, on the aircraft, and in the office to meet the department and company needs


• Excellent proficiency with Microsoft & Google software suites

Nice to haves

• IA certification


• Bachelor degree in aviation maintenance, engineering or management


• Profit and loss /budget management

$150,000 - $200,000 a year

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.