Staff Systems Engineer - Architecture & Interfaces Boston or Remote

Merlin Labs, Inc.; Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 165,000 - 220,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity grants

Health benefits

401k with match

Flexible PTO

Hybrid work schedule

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Merlin Labs is seeking a senior systems engineer to lead the Merlin Pilot system architecture in a fast-moving R&D flight test environment, with emphasis on MBSE and cross-functional collaboration.

You will translate customer needs into high-level requirements and develop interfaces between mission autonomy and flight autonomy, supporting certification activities for FAA/EASA/DOD programs. Hybrid Boston HQ with remote options.

Qualifications

• BS in Systems/Aerospace/Electrical Eng; MS preferred.
• 10+ years in systems engineering on certification programs (FAA/EASA/DOD).
• Own and deliver complex SE work with minimal supervision.
• Hands-on experience with avionics using ARP4754A/B and DO-178B/C.

Responsibilities

• Execute segments of Merlin Pilot System architecture and interfaces.
• Maintain system architectures in MBSE models.
• Translate customer needs into top-level requirements for Mission Autonomy and Flight Autonomy teams.
• Define interfaces between mission autonomy and flight autonomy; document architecture interfaces.
• Develop system-level requirements and allocate to subsystems.
• Specify physical interfaces and data protocols; produce interface definitions.
• Support Merlin Pilot software releases from requirements to validation.
• Perform change impact assessments for change requests and new requirements.
• Conduct trade studies and present results to Engineering Review Boards.
• Collaborate with System Safety and Product Cybersecurity on safety requirements.
• Participate in reviews with customers, suppliers, regulators.

Skills

System architecture

MBSE

Requirements management

System validation

FAA/EASA/DOD certification

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Systems/Aerospace/Electrical Engineering

Master's degree preferred

Doctorate (PhD) beneficial

Tools

ARP4754A/B

RTCA DO-178B/C

Cameo

Job description

Merlin (NASDAQ: MRLN) is a publicly traded aerospace and defense company building a non-human pilot to deliver full-stack autonomy for any aircraft from takeoff to touchdown. The Merlin Pilot autonomy system powers a growing range of aircraft and mission profiles and has been proven through hundreds of autonomous flights from Merlin's global flight test facilities, including Kerikeri, New Zealand; Smithfield, Rhode Island; and soon, Bedford, Massachusetts. Headquartered in Boston, Merlin is expanding its organization to accelerate the development and deployment of its autonomy platform, helping customers solve some of aviation's most pressing challenges, from pilot shortages to improving flight safety. Backed by some of the world's leading investors prior to its public listing, Merlin continues to advance the certification and commercialization of autonomous flight across commercial and defense aviation.

About You:

You are an experienced systems engineer with a strong background in system architecture, interface definition, requirements management, and system validation for civil-certified or DOD safety-critical avionics systems. You excel at capturing and communicating architectures, and at translating customer needs into top-level system requirements that decompose cleanly into subsystems. You have a passion for new product development and a proven record of delivering high-quality systems engineering work products in a fast-moving R&D flight test environment while keeping safety at the forefront. You work effectively across engineering domains and communicate clearly with hardware, software, safety, and flight test teams, as well as customers, suppliers, and partners.

Responsibilities:

• Execute assigned segments of the Merlin Pilot System architecture and interface definition, including functional/logical architecture, functional behaviors, and physical architecture.
• Capture and maintain system architectures in models (MBSE), keeping them current as the design evolves.
• Translate customer needs into top-level system descriptions and requirements that decompose to the Mission Autonomy and Flight Autonomy teams. Develop CONOPs, Use Cases, and other tools to capture customer needs.
• Define and assess the interfaces between mission autonomy and flight autonomy, ensuring correctness and feasibility, and document Merlin Pilot’s architecture interfaces to support interoperability and integration across multiple aircraft types.
• Develop system-level requirements for features, functions, interfaces, performance, and operational needs, and support allocation of requirements to sub-systems and items.
• Specify physical interfaces and data protocols, and produce detailed interface definitions and supporting documentation.
• Support Merlin Pilot software releases, providing systems engineering support from requirements definition through validation.
• Perform change impact assessments in response to change requests, problem reports, and new requirements from Air Vehicle Integration.
• Execute trade studies and present results and recommendations to appropriate Engineering Review Boards.
• Collaborate with System Safety and Product Cybersecurity to capture system-level safety and cybersecurity requirements.
• Participate in reviews of artifacts with customers, suppliers, and regulatory authorities as required.

Qualifications:

• BS in Systems/Aerospace/Electrical Engineering or a related subject, MS preferred.
• 10+ years of experience conducting systems engineering in FAA/EASA/DOD certification programs (7+ years with MS degree, 5+ years with PhD).
• Demonstrated ability to independently own and deliver complex systems engineering work products with minimal supervision.
• Hands-on experience in integrated avionics equipment using ARP4754A/B and RTCA DO-178B/C for flight-critical systems.

• Demonstrated ability to develop system-level requirements, architectures, and interfaces, and decompose down to lower levels.
• History in requirements validation and verification.
• Demonstrated experience capturing system architectures using Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) tools (e.g., Cameo).
• Demonstrated familiarity with general aviation aircraft and integration.

Nice to Have:

• Demonstrated ability to lead projects or work packages from a technical perspective.
• Specific experience in the area of Automatic Flight Controls, Flight Management, or Display Systems.
• Specific experience in developing software requirements and performing software verification.

Logistics:

• We welcome remote applicants for this role, with a preference for candidates based in or willing to relocate to Boston, MA for a hybrid work schedule at our HQ.

$165,000 - $220,000 a year

The compensation range provided is reflective of base salary only, and is a good-faith estimate based on a wide range of factors. The actual offer will be determined by a variety of factors including the candidate's qualifications, skills, experience, education, and training. Highly competitive equity grants are considered part of Merlin's total compensation package. Additionally, Merlin offers top-tier benefits for full-time employees.

Merlin Labs offers an innovative, entrepreneurial, and team-focused startup environment. We also offer a top-notch benefits package (health, dental, life, flexible paid time off, 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.