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Senior Systems Engineer, Mission Autonomy

Merlin Labs

Job Location:

Boston, NH - USA

Yearly Salary: $ 165000 - 220000

Posted: 13 July 2026 (30+ days ago)

Application Deadline: 19 November 2026

Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

About Merlin:

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 Merlins global flight test facilities including Kerikeri New Zealand; Quonset Point 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 aviations most pressing challenges from pilot shortages to improving flight safety. Backed by some of the worlds leading investors prior to its public listing Merlin continues to advance the certification and commercialization of autonomous flight across commercial and defense aviation.

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. Youve 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:

Participate in 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
Development of descriptions of Features and Functions to be executed by the Sub-System
Development of Sub-System Level Requirements
Development of Sub-System Level Test Methods and Testing Strategies
Demonstrated ability to work in cross-functional teams
Support/Execution of verification and validation activities.
Reviews of System Engineering artifacts such as requirements 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.
Collaborate 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 Controls System Development with aspects of ML or Autonomy
Experience in Flight Control System development
Demonstrated ability 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

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

$165000 - $220000 a year

The compensation range provided is a good-faith estimate based on a wide range of factors inclusive of base salary only. The actual offer will be determined by a variety of factors including the candidates qualifications skills experience education and training. Highly competitive equity grants are considered part of Merlins 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 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: emailprotected

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

Required Experience:

Senior IC

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