Strategic Leader, Aerospace Autonomy & Growth

Merlin Labs, Inc.; Washington; On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Life insurance

Unlimited vacation

401k with match

Job summary

Merlin Labs is seeking a senior strategist to partner with executive leadership in defining and evolving the company's strategy in aerospace and regulated environments. You will translate vision into priorities, roadmaps, and execution plans across engineering, programs, and commercial teams.

The role involves leading cross-functional strategic initiatives, supporting FAA certification pathways and defense procurement, and building data-driven analyses for board-level decisions; you will

Qualifications

• 7–10+ years in strategy, operations, or program leadership.
• Experience in aerospace, defense, autonomy, robotics, or other highly regulated industries.
• Proven ability to operate at both strategic and execution levels.
• Experience with government or complex regulatory environments.
• Strong analytical and structured problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Partner with executive leadership to define and evolve Merlin’s business and corporate strategy.
• Translate long-term vision into clear strategic priorities, roadmaps, and execution plans.
• Identify and evaluate new markets, mission sets, and customer segments across commercial and government domains.
• Develop go-to-market and growth strategies in regulated environments and government contracting.
• Lead high-priority, cross-functional strategic initiatives from concept through implementation.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Programs, and Business Development to align technical and business objectives.
• Support strategy related to FAA certification pathways and defense procurement processes.
• Build data-driven analyses and executive-level materials for decision-making and Board discussions.
• Assess competitive landscape and partnerships to inform strategic positioning.

Skills

Strategy

Operations

Program leadership

Executive communication

Analytical thinking

Job description

Merlin Labs is seeking a senior strategist to partner with executive leadership in defining and evolving the company's strategy in aerospace and regulated environments. You will translate vision into priorities, roadmaps, and execution plans across engineering, programs, and commercial teams.

The role involves leading cross-functional strategic initiatives, supporting FAA certification pathways and defense procurement, and building data-driven analyses for board-level decisions; you will