GM - Maritime

Jobtailor; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Merlin Labs is seeking a General Manager for its maritime business in Washington, DC. This role focuses on generating revenue through maritime mission needs, managing a $50M+ P&L, and shaping maritime ISR and surveillance solutions. The ideal candidate will have substantial experience in the maritime sector, strong relationships with agencies like the U.S. Coast Guard and Navy, and success in business development.

You will lead cross-functional collaboration and represent Merlin at high levels, converting operational challenges into actionable programs.

Qualifications

• Proven track record owning and managing $50M+ P&L in defense, aerospace, or maritime sectors.
• Demonstrated success generating $100M+ in contract awards or revenue.
• Deep understanding of maritime patrol and ISR operations.

Responsibilities

• Grow revenue by building a robust pipeline across maritime defense and security.
• Shape customer requirements for maritime ISR and surveillance missions.
• Own P&L, ensuring consistent revenue growth and profitability.

Skills

Business Development

Cross-functional Collaboration

Maritime Operations Knowledge

P&L Management

Customer Engagement

Job description

About you:

This is a role for an operator who understands the future of maritime domain awareness — one that increasingly depends on uncrewed aircraft, persistent ISR, and multi‑mission autonomy. As General Manager, Maritime, you will own the P&L for Merlin’s maritime business and be accountable for one core outcome: turning maritime mission needs into revenue‑generating programs. You bring fluency in maritime patrol missions, manned and unmanned ISR operations, and the systems that government and commercial maritime customers rely on — from vessel monitoring tools to command‑and‑control platforms and situational awareness networks. You understand how organizations like the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Navy, DHS, offshore operators, and global maritime agencies operate and make decisions. Your presence, relationships, and operational credibility position you to represent Merlin at the highest levels. Your execution discipline ensures that opportunities turn into programs — and programs into lasting revenue.

Responsibilities:

• Grow revenue by building, maturing, and closing a robust pipeline across maritime defense, security, commercial surveillance, and government customers. Lead all capture efforts, proposals, and negotiations.
• Shape customer requirements for maritime ISR, patrol, and surveillance missions — translating operational challenges into actionable product and program strategies in collaboration with Product and Engineering.
• Own and manage P&L, ensuring consistent revenue growth, profitability, and long‑term business viability.
• Lead the portfolio of maritime programs — providing oversight of financials, schedules, staffing, risks, and execution quality with Program Management and Finance.
• Serve as Merlin’s executive presence with maritime agencies, naval aviation, coast guards, and commercial surveillance operators — building trust, credibility, and long‑term partnership opportunities.
• Represent Merlin’s uncrewed ISR capabilities, particularly those enabled by the King Air platform and future Merlin integrations.
• Drive cross‑functional collaboration across BD, Capture, Product, Engineering, and Finance to deliver solutions that win and scale within maritime markets.

Requirements:

• Proven track record owning and managing $50M+ P&L in defense, aerospace, maritime security, ISR, or high‑tech environments.
• Demonstrated success generating $100M+ in contract awards or revenue growth with maritime government (USCG, USN, DHS) or commercial operators.
• Deep understanding of maritime patrol, ISR operations, and surveillance mission sets, including manned and uncrewed aircraft operations.
• Fluency with maritime systems such as vessel monitoring, command‑and‑control platforms, intelligence/data services, and situational awareness networks.
• Demonstrated success in BD, capture management, and senior‑level customer engagement within maritime or defense sectors.
• Experience leading cross‑functional teams in fast‑paced, mission‑driven environments.

Nice To Haves:

• Active U.S. security clearance (Secret or higher).
• Strong relationships across U.S. Coast Guard, Navy, maritime aviation, or global maritime agencies.
• Experience positioning new ISR or autonomy technologies into maritime operations and converting them into revenue‑producing programs.
• Background in maritime patrol aviation, uncrewed aircraft systems, or ISR mission execution