Design and implement flight control systems for fixed-wing aircraft using MATLAB/Simulink and Python. Decompose system requirements into control-level requirements, develop simulation and model-based tools, perform flight testing for system identification and verification, and deliver end-to-end flight control products to customers while collaborating on certifiable autonomous systems.
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 flight controls engineer passionate about autonomous flight who wants to contribute to making airplanes 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 novel applications.
Responsibilities:
- Design and implement flight controls for our aircraft automation system.
- Decompose system requirements into low level flight controls requirements.
- 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 for system identification and verification of control law performance on multiple aircraft types.
- Own the flight control system from end-to-end and be responsible for product delivery to programs and customers.
- Collaborate across Merlin to develop novel, certifiable systems to solve the toughest problems in aviation and autonomy.
Qualifications:
- BS in Aerospace/Mechanical/Electrical Engineering.
- 10+ 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 with linear model development, linear analysis and frequency domain gain tuning techniques.
Nice to Have:
- MS/PhD in Aerospace Engineering and/or Controls.
- Experience developing never-before-flown control systems.
- Experience extracting linear state space models from flight test data.
- Experience working directly with customers and being a company representative.
- Pilot license.
- Proficiency in C/C++ or Python.
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.
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: [email protected]
Merlin Labs does not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than directly from candidates.
Similar Jobs
Artificial Intelligence • Cloud • Computer Vision • Hardware • Internet of Things • Software
Manage enterprise customer implementations of Samsara’s IoT platform, from deployment planning through adoption and value realization. Build launch roadmaps, track implementation and account health, train executives and end users, resolve challenges, and coordinate with Sales, Support, Sales Engineering, Product, and other teams. Mentor Customer Success and Support colleagues while managing multiple customer engagements and strengthening long-term customer relationships.
Top Skills:
Enterprise SoftwareIotSaaS
Artificial Intelligence • Cloud • Computer Vision • Hardware • Internet of Things • Software
Serve as a technical sales expert for Samsara’s IoT platform, supporting discovery, demonstrations, value assessments, proof-of-concepts, deployment planning, and customer integrations. Explain complex solutions to nontechnical stakeholders, advise installers, write API automation scripts, translate customer feedback to product teams, and support strategic sales cycles. The role is remote in the U.S. West region and requires travel up to 50%.
Top Skills:
AIAutomation And Control SystemsBashBusiness Systems IntegrationCan BusCloud InfrastructureCloud SoftwareCloud-Connected HardwareComputer NetworkingComputer VisionElectrical SystemsElectronicsIotJavaScriptOpen ApiPto ApplicationsPython
Artificial Intelligence • Cloud • Computer Vision • Hardware • Internet of Things • Software
Manage full sales cycle for mid-market public sector accounts: prospect, qualify, run POCs, negotiate multi-stakeholder deals ($20k–$250k), build executive relationships, forecast in SFDC, and close business while traveling for onsite meetings.
Top Skills:
SFDC
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
