Lead Systems Engineer, Flight Autonomy

Merlin; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Merlin Labs in Boston is seeking an experienced Systems Engineer to lead a small team developing system and sub-system architecture, requirements, and testing for autonomous flight. You’ll own major portions of architecture, interfaces, and verification activities on a fast‑moving, safety‑critical program.

You will collaborate with safety, hardware, and software teams, and contribute to certification readiness.

Qualifications

• BS in Electrical/Aerospace/Systems Engineering or related subject; MS preferred.
• 6–9 years of systems engineering experience (4–6 years with MS; 2–4 years with PhD).
• Experience in Flight Control Systems with aspects of ML or Autonomy.
• Experience in Flight Control System Development.
• Demonstrated ability to lead small teams solving complex architectural and systems engineering problems.
• Experience with requirements management tools and processes.
• Demonstrated ability to develop system‑level requirements, architecture, and interfaces, and perform requirements validation and verification.

Responsibilities

• Lead a small team of System Engineers and be accountable for the execution of System Engineering tasks and delivery of work products.
• Lead reviews of artifacts with customers, suppliers, and regulatory authorities as required.
• Review concepts of operation, system architecture (including functional and physical architectures), system requirements, and system interfaces for Merlin products. On this small, agile team, you will own significant pieces of these activities yourself.
• Work cross‑functionally with the safety, hardware, and software teams to capture, document, and communicate requirements and interfaces.
• Manage system‑level verification and validation activities.

Skills

Systems engineering

Leadership

Requirements management

Cross-functional collaboration

Flight Control Systems

ML / Autonomy

Verifications & validations

Safety-critical systems

Education

BS in Electrical/Aerospace/Systems Engineering

MS preferred

PhD considered

Tools

Simulink

Cameo

IADS

Jama

Job description

Overview

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.

Who you are

You are an experienced systems engineer with experience in the development of system/sub‑system architecture, requirements, and testing to comply with those requirements. You have experience collaborating with cross‑functional teams of varying engineering domains, customers, suppliers, and partners. You have experience in the definition of autonomous behaviours and functions of AI‑enabled control systems. You have a passion for new development and a proven record of navigating the challenges in new product development. You’ve worked in experimental R&D of safety‑critical systems/sub‑systems and have the ability to keep safety at the forefront while still moving quickly.

Responsibilities

• Lead a small team of System Engineers and be accountable for the execution of System Engineering tasks and delivery of work products.
  • Lead the development of systems engineering development plans and processes as needed for technical execution.
  • Manage systems engineering tasking and align disciplines to support their successful and timely completion.
  • Manage system‑level verification and validation activities.
• Lead reviews of artifacts with customers, suppliers, and regulatory authorities as required.
• Review concepts of operation, system architecture (including functional and physical architectures), system requirements, and system interfaces for Merlin products. On this small, agile team, you will own significant pieces of these activities yourself.
• Work cross‑functionally with the safety, hardware, and software teams to capture, document, and communicate requirements and interfaces.

Qualifications

• BS in Electrical/Aerospace/Systems Engineering or a related subject, MS preferred.
• 6–9 years of experience conducting systems engineering (4–6 years with MS degree; 2–4 years with PhD).
• Specific experience in Flight Control Systems with aspects of ML or Autonomy.
• Experience in Flight Control System Development.
• Demonstrated ability to lead small teams in solving complex architectural and systems engineering problems.
• Experience with requirements management tools and processes.
• Demonstrated ability to develop system‑level requirements, architecture, and interfaces, and perform requirements validation and verification.

Highly Desired Experience

• Experience conducting systems engineering in FAA/EASA/DOD certification programs.
• Hands‑on experience in certifying avionics equipment using ARP4754A and RTCA DO‑178B/C for safety‑critical systems.
• Specific experience in the area of Automatic Flight Controls, Flight Management, or Display Systems.
• Specific experience in developing software requirements and performing software verification.
• Working knowledge of FAA/EASA/DOD regulations and standards is a plus.
• Working knowledge of Model‑based Systems Engineering (MBSE) is a plus but not required.
• Familiarity with Simulink, Cameo, IADS, Jama.

Benefits

Merlin Labs offers an innovative, entrepreneurial, and team‑focused startup environment and a top‑notch benefits package, including health, dental, life, unlimited vacation, and 401(k) with match, and work/life integration.

Equal Opportunity Statement

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.