Lead Systems Engineer, Flight Autonomy

Merlinlabs; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Life insurance

Unlimited vacation

401(k) with match

Job summary

Merlin Labs, a venture-backed aerospace startup, seeks an experienced Systems Engineer to lead a small team focused on system architectures, requirements, and verification for autonomous flight systems.

You will drive development plans, coordinate cross-functional teams across safety, hardware, and software, and ensure compliance with aviation standards. The role emphasizes hands-on leadership and rapid, safe product development.

Qualifications

• BS in Electrical/Aerospace/Systems Engineering or related field; 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 ML or Autonomy.
• Experience in Flight Control System Development.
• Ability to lead small teams solving complex architecture and systems engineering problems.
• Experience with requirements management tools and processes.
• Ability to develop system-level requirements, architecture, interfaces, and verification.
• Experience with FAA/EASA/DOD certification programs.
• Hands-on experience in certifying avionics under ARP4754A and DO-178B/C.
• Experience in Automatic Flight Controls, Flight Management, or Display Systems.
• Knowledge of FAA/EASA/DOD regs and MBSE a plus.
• Familiarity with Simulink, Cameo, IADS, Jama.

Responsibilities

• Lead a small team of System Engineers and ensure delivery of system engineering work products.
• Develop and maintain system engineering plans and processes for technical execution.
• Manage system-level verification and validation activities.
• Lead artifact reviews with customers, suppliers, and regulators.
• Review concepts of operation, architecture, requirements, and interfaces; own significant portions.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with safety, hardware, and software teams to capture interfaces.

Skills

Systems Engineering

Flight Control Systems

Autonomy/ML

Team Leadership

Requirements Management

DO-178B/C

Regulatory Awareness

MBSE

Education

BS in Electrical/Aerospace/Systems Engineering

MS preferred

Tools

MBSE

Simulink

Cameo

IADS

Jama

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.

Who you are

You are an experienced systems engineer with experience in the development of system/sub-system architecture, system/sub-system requirements, and testing of systems to comply with its requirements. You have experience in collaborating with cross-functional teams of varying engineering domains, customers, suppliers, and partners. You have experience in the definition of Autonomous behaviors and functions of AI enabled control systems. You have a passion for new development and have a proven record of navigating the challenges in new product development. You’ve worked in an 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 which includes the following:
  • Lead the development of systems engineering development plans and processes as needed for technical execution.
  • Managing systems engineering tasking and aligning 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 of 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-related problems.
• Experience with requirements management tools and processes.
• Demonstrated ability to develop system-level requirements, architecture, and interfaces, and perform requirements validation and verification.
• 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. We also offer a top‑notch benefits package (health, dental, life, unlimited vacation, and 401(k) 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.

Equal Opportunity

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.

Visa and Work Authorization

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.

Compliance

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.

Accommodation

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]

Application Policy

Merlin Labs does not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than directly from candidates.