Autonomy Software Engineer

Merlin; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health

Dental

Life

Unlimited vacation

401k with match

Job summary

Merlin Labs seeks a versatile software engineer to build flight autonomy software spanning perception, planning, and execution. You will contribute across embedded and high-level domains, integrating algorithms for perception and decision making in support of autonomous airborne operations.

You will collaborate with domain leads, participate in simulations and flight tests, and ensure code quality through testing and documentation in a fast-paced startup environment.

Qualifications

• BS degree in computer science, aerospace engineering, robotics, or a related field.
• 3+ years in software development for robotic or autonomous systems.
• Experience with state machines, behavior trees, or task planning algorithms.
• Experience with route, path and trajectory planning.
• Proficient in Python and C++.
• Experience with ROS, DDS or similar robotics middleware.

Responsibilities

• Develop software across the stack of an aircraft autonomy system, including embedded and high-level autonomy components.
• Implement and integrate perception, reasoning, decision making, planning, and execution algorithms for autonomous flight.
• Collaborate with domain leads to understand architecture, requirements, and design intent.
• Contribute to simulation, integration, and flight test activities to validate autonomy software.
• Write, test, document, and review code according to Merlin’s standards.
• Collaborate across Merlin to advance certifiable autonomy systems.

Skills

Python

C++

ROS

Linux

State machines

Behavior trees

Trajectory planning

DDS

Git

Education

BS in computer science / robotics / aerospace

MS in a related field

Tools

ROS middleware

DDS

Git

Job description

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:

You are a versatile software engineer with a passion for aviation, robotics, and autonomous systems. You are comfortable working across technical domains, from perception and understanding to decision making and human-machine teaming. You take pride in delivering high-quality, maintainable code, collaborate well with other engineers and teams, and like to independently dig into new problems. You’re excited to see your code fly in the real world.

Responsibilities:

• Develop software across the stack of an aircraft autonomy system, contributing to lower level embedded systems and higher level autonomy function areas as needed.
• Implement and integrate algorithms for perception, reasoning, decision making, planning, and execution in support of autonomous airborne operations.
• Collaborate with domain leads to understand architecture, requirements, and design intent for specific capabilities.
• Contribute to simulation, integration, and flight test activities to validate autonomy software in relevant environments.
• Write, test, document and review code according to Merlin’s development standards.
• Collaborate across Merlin to develop novel, certifiable systems to solve the toughest problems in aviation and autonomy.

Qualifications:

• Degree in computer science, aerospace engineering, robotics, or a related field.
• BS and 3+ or MS and 2+ years of experience developing software for robotic or autonomous systems
• Experience with state machines, behavior trees, or task planning algorithms.
• Experience with route, path and trajectory planning.
• Experience with Linux and open-source development tools.
• Experience with overall product development cycle, including design, testing, and troubleshooting at the system level as well as at the software component level.
• Experience with both Python and C++.
• Experience with ROS, DDS or similar robotics middleware.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to learn and contribute across different technical domains.

Nice to Have:

• Experience developing autonomy software for aircraft, drones, or other high-integrity systems.
• Experience with perception systems, sensor fusion, or world modeling concepts.
• Experience with multi-agent collaboration and human-machine interfaces.
• Experience with system integration, simulation, or flight testing of autonomous platforms.
• Experience with hardware and software integration and debugging.
• Pilot license and flight experience is a plus.

Merlin Labs offers an innovative, entrepreneurial, and team-focused startup environment. We also offer a top-notch benefits package 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.

• health
• dental
• life
• unlimited vacation
• 401k with match

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.

The compensation range provided is a good-faith estimate based on a wide range of factors, inclusive of base salary only.

The actual offer will be determined by a variety of factors including the candidate's qualifications, skills, experience, education, and training.

Highly competitive equity grants are considered part of Merlin's total compensation package.

Additionally, Merlin offers top-tier benefits for full-time employees.