Head of Autonomy Software for Flight Systems

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.

About the Role:

We’re building the brains of the airplane. As the Vice President of Autonomy, you’ll lead the team responsible for developing Merlin’s core autonomy software—spanning flight control, navigation, perception, decision-making, and higher-level mission behaviors. This role sits at the heart of the Merlin Pilot product and is critical to our mission of enabling safe, airworthy, and intelligent autonomous flight across a diverse fleet of aircraft. You will manage a high-performing software team focused on building and integrating autonomy layers that operate in real time on safety-critical airborne platforms. You'll partner closely with the Systems Engineering, Compute Platform, and Simulation teams to ensure delivery of robust, testable, and airworthy software aligned to the broader product roadmap. This is a hands-on leadership role—equal parts technical strategy/innovation, people leadership, and delivery accountability.

About You:

You are a proven technical leader with deep experience in autonomy software—whether from aviation, space, robotics, or high-assurance systems. You know what it takes to build safety-critical autonomy: modular architectures, clear interfaces, strong simulation support, and rigorous development processes. You thrive in fast-paced environments, value clean code and crisp interfaces, and can coach engineers to balance innovation with engineering discipline. You get excited when your software flies.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the Autonomy Software team developing flight, mission, and campaign autonomy capabilities for the Merlin Pilot.
• Define and evolve software architecture in partnership with the Chief Product Officer, CTO, Chief Architect and Systems Engineering team.
• Ensure on-time delivery of modular, testable, and airworthy autonomy software that meets system-level performance and safety requirements.
• Oversee software development, integration, and test across all layers of autonomy—perception, planning, guidance/navigation/control (GNC), decision-making, and behavior modeling.
• Drive use of modern software practices, including modern version control and release techniques, automated builds, simulation-in-the-loop testing, and traceable requirements.
• Collaborate closely with Simulation, Compute Integration, and Systems teams to enable effective development and validation workflows.
• Foster a strong technical culture focused on clarity, ownership, safety, and continuous improvement.
• Mentor and grow engineers and technical leads within the team.
• Partner with the VP of Merlin Pilot Engineering to align staffing, schedule, and priorities to the product roadmap.
• Support regulatory and customer engagements, including technical documentation and test plans for certification/accreditation where required.

Qualifications:

• BS/MS in Computer Science, Robotics, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field.
• 10+ years of experience in autonomy software development, with 5+ years in engineering leadership roles.
• Deep expertise in one or more autonomy domains: GNC, path planning, multi-agent coordination, behavior trees/state machines, etc.
• Strong track record delivering real-world autonomy systems in aviation, defense, robotics, or space.
• Familiarity with safety-critical software development and relevant standards (DO-178C, MISRA, etc.).
• Experience managing complex software teams, including agile workflows and large codebases.
• Skilled in C, C++, Python, and real-time systems development.
• Excellent cross-functional collaboration and communication skills.
• Eligible for a DOD Security Clearance.

Nice to Haves:

• Experience developing autonomy software for airworthy aircraft (Part 23/25 or military equivalents).
• Familiarity with AI/ML integration and assurance for autonomy systems.
• Experience with simulation frameworks (e.g., Gazebo, FlightGear, custom SIL/HIL setups).
• Understanding of embedded systems, partitioned OS environments (ARINC 653), and software abstraction layers.

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

Once you’re here, you’ll enjoy a variety of on-site perks designed to make your workday enjoyable and convenient. These include catered lunches featuring a rotating menu of delicious options, an assortment of snacks to keep you fueled throughout the day, and a selection of beverages, including coffee, tea, and other drinks, to keep you refreshed.

Our goal is to create an environment where you can thrive both professionally and personally

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: View email address on click.appcast.io

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