Staff Simulation Platform Engineer

Front Door Defense; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Merlin Labs in Boston, MA seeks a Staff Simulation Platform Engineer to design and build the next-generation simulation infrastructure for aircraft autonomy testing. You will own scalable virtual environments, integrate hardware-in-the-loop components, and drive reproducible validation workflows.

The role requires 7+ years in complex simulation environments, strong software architecture, and hands-on Python/C++ work.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience building or scaling complex simulation or autonomy validation environments.
• Experience contributing to or architecting large-scale simulation frameworks.
• Strong software architecture experience in multi-component, distributed systems.
• Experience defining interface contracts, configuration schemas, or API boundaries in complex systems.
• Experience integrating simulation environments with real-time or hardware-in-the-loop systems.
• Hands-on proficiency in Python and/or C++.
• Demonstrated ability to modernize or scale legacy engineering toolchains.

Responsibilities

• Define and implement structured topology and configuration definitions across aircraft platforms.
• Improve stability of routing layers, hardware/software interfaces, and runtime integration components.
• Introduce versioning and compatibility discipline across simulation artifacts.
• Build validation tooling to prevent integration breakage from reaching lab benches.
• Expand scenario-based simulation capabilities supporting autonomy development.
• Enable structured Monte Carlo and multi-scenario validation workflows.
• Develop infrastructure to simulate sensor inputs and autonomy behaviors in realistic operational contexts.
• Improve determinism and traceability of simulation runs.
• Implement CI/CD workflows for simulation artifacts.
• Improve reproducibility of simulation environments.
• Implement schema-driven validation mechanisms for interfaces.
• Build foundational platform components hands-on during early phases.
• Mentor and elevate engineers working on simulation tools and routing infrastructure.
• Establish extensibility and architectural standards within the simulation stack.
• Influence cross-functional stakeholders (Autonomy, Compute Platform, Systems, Lab Integration).

Skills

Python

C++

Software architecture

Distributed systems

APIs/interfaces

HIL/real-time integration

Tooling/CI-CD

Tools

CI/CD tooling

Job description

Staff Simulation Platform Engineer

Build and scale Merlin's internal simulation platform for aircraft autonomy testing

Location: Boston, Massachusetts

About The Role

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.

We are seeking a Staff Simulation Platform Engineer to design and build the next-generation simulation infrastructure that supports aircraft modeling, autonomy development, and hardware-in-the-loop validation across multiple aircraft platforms.

This is a hands-on senior technical role focused on building scalable virtual environments, stabilizing integration infrastructure, and enabling scenario-based autonomy validation without linear growth in engineering effort per platform.

This position reports to the Virtual Test Environments Lead and will play a central role in evolving our simulation ecosystem into a robust, scalable internal platform.

Responsibilities

• Define and implement structured topology and configuration definitions across aircraft platforms
• Improve stability of routing layers, hardware/software interfaces, and runtime integration components
• Introduce versioning and compatibility discipline across simulation artifacts
• Build validation tooling to prevent integration breakage from reaching lab benches

• Expand scenario-based simulation capabilities supporting autonomy development
• Enable structured Monte Carlo and multi-scenario validation workflows
• Develop infrastructure to simulate sensor inputs and autonomy behaviors in realistic operational contexts
• Improve determinism and traceability of simulation runs

• Implement CI/CD workflows for simulation artifacts
• Improve reproducibility of simulation environments
• Implement schema-driven validation mechanisms for interfaces
• Build foundational platform components hands-on during early phases

• Mentor and elevate engineers working on simulation tools and routing infrastructure
• Establish extensibility and architectural standards within the simulation stack
• Influence cross-functional stakeholders (Autonomy, Compute Platform, Systems, Lab Integration)

This is a senior technical contributor role with significant architectural impact but no direct people management responsibility.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience building or scaling complex simulation or autonomy validation environments
• Experience contributing to or architecting large-scale simulation frameworks
• Strong software architecture experience in multi-component, distributed systems
• Experience defining interface contracts, configuration schemas, or API boundaries in complex systems
• Experience integrating simulation environments with real-time or hardware-in-the-loop systems
• Hands-on proficiency in Python and/or C++
• Demonstrated ability to modernize or scale legacy engineering toolchains

Nice to Have

• Experience developing simulation or virtual validation environments for autonomy systems
• Experience designing scenario-based validation systems
• Familiarity with SIL/HIL integration
• Experience implementing CI/CD in engineering-heavy environments
• Background in safety-critical systems

This position is based on-site at Merlin HQ in Boston, MA.

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.