Design and implement flight controls, develop simulation tools, and participate in flight testing for autonomous aircraft systems.
About Merlin:
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 you:
You are an experienced flight controls engineer who wants to contribute to making airplanes that fly themselves. You are familiar with fixed wing aircraft and the classical and modern methods used to control them automatically. You know how to use industry standard tools for this work, and you are excited to work on applying them to a new and novel application.
Responsibilities:
- Design and implement flight controls for our aircraft autonomy system.
- Write requirements for high level automation functions and low level flight control.
- Help create and use the simulation tools needed for development and testing including Simulink control law modeling, analysis using MATLAB and Python.
- Participate in flight testing to verify control law performance on multiple aircraft types.
- Write, test, and document Simulink control law models according to Merlin’s development standards, and participate in certification activities.
- Collaborate across Merlin to develop novel, certifiable systems to solve the toughest problems in aviation and autonomy.
Qualifications:
- 15 + years of experience developing control systems for fixed wing aircraft, with demonstrated understanding of fixed wing aircraft dynamics, classical and modern control design / analysis
- Experience decomposing systems requirements into high level requirements for both outer loop and inner loop control design
- Experience working in Model Based Development and certification of flight control systems, including proficiency in MATLAB/Simulink or another model-based development toolset
- Experience designing, implementing, and testing software for real-time systems
- Experience developing certified software under RTCA DO-178
- BS in Aerospace/Mechanical/Electrical Engineering
Nice to Haves:
- MS/PhD in Aerospace Engineering and/or Controls
- Experience developing aircraft simulations using system identification of flight test data to facilitate the rapid design and testing of flight control systems
- Experience analyzing certification guidance materials for impact on automatic control system design
- Flight test experience writing test cards to validate control system performance and perform failure testing
- Pilots license
- Proficiency in C/C++ or Python
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: [email protected]
Merlin Labs does not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than directly from candidates.
Top Skills
C/C++
Matlab
Python
Simulink
Merlin Labs Boston, Massachusetts, USA Office
31 Saint James Ave, Boston, MA, United States, 02116
Similar Jobs
Artificial Intelligence • Healthtech • Professional Services • Analytics • Consulting
The role involves conducting market research, developing client solutions, and managing project plans while mentoring associates and communicating insights clearly.
Top Skills:
AccessConfirmitExcelProprietary Software
Consumer Web • eCommerce • Software
Seeking a Senior Software Engineer to build and manage scalable data products and user experiences, collaborating across teams to deliver insights.
Top Skills:
AWSEs6+JavaJavaScriptReactSQL
Information Technology • Productivity • Software • Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)
The role involves mentoring, driving automation strategy, ensuring product quality, developing test frameworks, and collaborating across teams to enhance software quality assurance processes.
Top Skills:
AWSC++CircleCIDockerGatlingGoJavaJmeterKotlinPostgresRestassuredSeleniumTeamcityTestrigor
What you need to know about the Boston Tech Scene
Boston is a powerhouse for technology innovation thanks to world-class research universities like MIT and Harvard and a robust pipeline of venture capital investment. Host to the first telephone call and one of the first general-purpose computers ever put into use, Boston is now a hub for biotechnology, robotics and artificial intelligence — though it’s also home to several B2B software giants. So it’s no surprise that the city consistently ranks among the greatest startup ecosystems in the world.
Key Facts About Boston Tech
- Number of Tech Workers: 269,000; 9.4% of overall workforce (2024 CompTIA survey)
- Major Tech Employers: Thermo Fisher Scientific, Toast, Klaviyo, HubSpot, DraftKings
- Key Industries: Artificial intelligence, biotechnology, robotics, software, aerospace
- Funding Landscape: $15.7 billion in venture capital funding in 2024 (Pitchbook)
- Notable Investors: Summit Partners, Volition Capital, Bain Capital Ventures, MassVentures, Highland Capital Partners
- Research Centers and Universities: MIT, Harvard University, Boston College, Tufts University, Boston University, Northeastern University, Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, National Bureau of Economic Research, Broad Institute, Lowell Center for Space Science & Technology, National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories
