Director, AI Core Autonomy for Flight Systems

Quiet Capital; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 252,000 - 360,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Catered lunches

Snacks and beverages

401k with company match

Equity grants

Unlimited vacation

Job summary

Merlin Labs is seeking a technically deep software leader to own the AI Core platform, spanning perception, sensor fusion, planning, and control. You will lead a multidisciplinary team delivering flight-critical autonomy software, ensuring safety, quality, and regulatory alignment.

You will collaborate with executive leadership to translate objectives into roadmaps, recruit top talent, and drive innovation in real-time onboard AI systems while maintaining a fast-paced startup culture.

Qualifications

• Degree in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Computer Engineering, Applied Math, or related subject.
• 10+ years of software engineering experience, with at least 5 years in Physical AI leadership and engineering management roles.
• Proven track record of shipping production grade AI-based autonomy in safety-critical, regulated environments.
• Deep expertise in real-time perception and sensor fusion, motion planning and control, large-scale AI model training/deployment, or onboard inference systems.
• Strong command of modern software engineering practices including AI model distillation, MLOps, CI/CD, and design-for-safety principles.
• Experience deploying end-to-end data strategy for AI model training, simulation, and edge deployment.
• Experience managing managers, senior engineers, and staff-level contributors, including performance management.
• Ability to define and communicate architectural decisions across organizational boundaries.
• Proficiency in PyTorch, TensorFlow and C++ for real-time embedded environments.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to document complex technical decisions clearly.
• Comfort operating in a fast-paced startup environment where priorities evolve.

Responsibilities

• Define and drive the technical strategy for Merlin's AI Core platform, spanning perception, sensor fusion, decision-making, planning, and control.
• Lead, grow, and mentor a multi-disciplinary team of AI engineers, robotics engineers, and software engineers working on flight-critical autonomy software.
• Collaborate with the VP of Engineering and CTO to translate objectives into technical roadmaps with milestones.
• Own the architecture of the AI Core stack from data pipelines to onboard inference and control.
• Establish engineering standards, code quality practices, and safety review processes for aviation-grade software.
• Partner with Flight Ops, Systems Eng, and Certification to meet FAA/regulatory requirements.
• Drive integration between AI Core components and avionics/vehicle management systems.
• Recruit senior engineering talent and foster a culture of excellence and psychological safety.
• Represent the AI Core team in cross-functional planning, risk reviews, and stakeholder communications.
• Monitor research and open-source developments and translate promising work into product opportunities.

Job description

Merlin Labs is seeking a technically deep software leader to own the AI Core platform, spanning perception, sensor fusion, planning, and control. You will lead a multidisciplinary team delivering flight-critical autonomy software, ensuring safety, quality, and regulatory alignment.

You will collaborate with executive leadership to translate objectives into roadmaps, recruit top talent, and drive innovation in real-time onboard AI systems while maintaining a fast-paced startup culture.