Director, Strategy

Merlin Labs, Inc.; Washington; On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Life insurance

Unlimited vacation

401k with match

Job summary

Merlin Labs is seeking a senior strategist to partner with executive leadership in defining and evolving the company's strategy in aerospace and regulated environments. You will translate vision into priorities, roadmaps, and execution plans across engineering, programs, and commercial teams.

The role involves leading cross-functional strategic initiatives, supporting FAA certification pathways and defense procurement, and building data-driven analyses for board-level decisions; you will

Qualifications

• 7–10+ years in strategy, operations, or program leadership.
• Experience in aerospace, defense, autonomy, robotics, or other highly regulated industries.
• Proven ability to operate at both strategic and execution levels.
• Experience with government or complex regulatory environments.
• Strong analytical and structured problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Partner with executive leadership to define and evolve Merlin’s business and corporate strategy.
• Translate long-term vision into clear strategic priorities, roadmaps, and execution plans.
• Identify and evaluate new markets, mission sets, and customer segments across commercial and government domains.
• Develop go-to-market and growth strategies in regulated environments and government contracting.
• Lead high-priority, cross-functional strategic initiatives from concept through implementation.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Programs, and Business Development to align technical and business objectives.
• Support strategy related to FAA certification pathways and defense procurement processes.
• Build data-driven analyses and executive-level materials for decision-making and Board discussions.
• Assess competitive landscape and partnerships to inform strategic positioning.

Skills

Strategy

Operations

Program leadership

Executive communication

Analytical thinking

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 a deep interest in aviation, autonomy, and complex, regulated environments. You are comfortable navigating ambiguity, connecting technical innovation to market opportunity, and driving initiatives from concept through execution. You bring a structured approach to problem solving, strong business judgment, and the ability to influence across engineering, program, and commercial teams. You are equally comfortable in executive-level discussions and rolling up your sleeves to move critical initiatives forward.

Responsibilities:

• Partner with executive leadership to define and evolve Merlin’sbusiness and corporatestrategy
• Translate long-term vision intoclear strategic priorities, roadmaps, and execution plans
• Identify and evaluatenew markets, mission sets, and customer segmentsacross commercial and government domains
• Developgo-to-market and growth strategiesin regulated and government-contracted environments
• Lead high-priority,cross-functional strategic initiativesfrom concept through implementation
• Collaborate with Engineering, Programs, and Business Development to ensure alignment betweentechnical development and business objectives
• Support strategy related toFAA certification pathways and defense procurement processes
• Build data-driven analyses, business cases, and executive-level materials to supportdecision-making and Board discussions
• Assess competitive landscape, partnerships, and ecosystem dynamics to inform strategic positioning
• Act as a force multiplier for leadership by increasingdecision velocity and organizational alignment

Requirements:

• 7-10+ years of experience instrategy, operations, or program leadership
• Experience inaerospace, defense, autonomy, robotics, or other highly regulated industries
• Proven ability to operate at bothstrategic and execution levels
• Experience working with or alongsidegovernment customers or complex regulatory environments
• Strong analytical and structured problem-solving skills
• Demonstrated success leadingcross-functional initiatives with measurable impact
• Excellent communication skills with the ability toinfluence atboth executive and technical levels

Nice to Haves:

• Experience inautonomous systems, aviation, or AI-driven platforms
• Familiarity withFAA certification, DoD procurement, or mission-based program development
• Background inmanagement consulting, corporate strategy, or high-growth startups
• Experience scaling strategy in aventure-backed or rapidly growing company
• Ability to navigate ambiguity and build structure in evolving environments
• Operator mindset with a track record of driving strategy through execution

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.