Electrical Engineer II

About the role

Electrical Engineer II, Autonomy Hardware

Position Overview

We are seeking a focused Electrical Engineer II to join Merlin's autonomy hardware team in Boston. In this role, you will architect the electrical foundations that enable fully autonomous flight for any aircraft. Your work will define how sensors, compute, and communication interfaces operate reliably from the ground through every phase of flight. You will own the complete design cycle, translating high-level autonomy requirements into robust hardware solutions that are validated both in the lab and in the sky. This is a hands-on leadership position where your decisions directly shape the safety and performance of critical aerospace systems.

This position reports to the autonomy hardware lead and works within a multidisciplinary squad that includes software engineers, test pilots, and systems engineers. You will be expected to drive technical decisions while respecting the constraints of schedule, certification, and operational reality. The ideal candidate is comfortable in a fast-paced startup environment and is motivated by the challenge of solving complex hardware problems under strict safety margins.

Core Responsibilities

You will be responsible for the end-to-end development of electrical systems that support Merlin's autonomy stack. This includes creating schematics and layouts that meet stringent reliability targets for aviation environments. You will select and qualify every component, ensuring compatibility with firmware and flight software teams. Your designs will be refined through rigorous testing, using both bench measurements and real-world flight data.

A key part of your role is ensuring signal integrity and power distribution remain stable across varying mission profiles, from takeoff in turbulent conditions to precision landing. You will implement test strategies that catch electrical faults early, reducing risk and cost before hardware is committed to production. You will also document every design decision and verification step to satisfy regulatory audits and internal quality processes.

You will partner closely with suppliers to manage component availability, monitor for obsolescence, and mitigate supply chain risk. During critical design reviews, you will present electrical trade studies and defend your choices against system-level goals. You will analyze data from lab benches and flight tests to improve protection schemes, filtering, and driver circuits for future platform iterations.

Required Qualifications

You must hold a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering or a closely related technical discipline. Your academic background should provide a foundation in circuit analysis, digital design, and electromagnetic theory.

You must bring a minimum of three years of professional hardware design experience in aerospace or a related high-reliability field. Your background should include multiple hardware development cycles, with evidence of tapeouts or flight projects. You should demonstrate a deep understanding of board-level design, including signal integrity, power integrity, and layout best practices for demanding environments.

You must be proficient with digital interfaces, sensors, and actuators commonly used in aviation and defense systems. Your experience should include writing and debugging hardware-related firmware or configuration code. You must be comfortable reading datasheets, reference designs, and regulatory guidance.

Strong written and verbal communication skills are essential. You will coordinate daily with engineers, test crews, and operations staff, requiring clarity and precision in both documentation and discussion. You should be able to simplify complex technical concepts for cross-functional audiences without losing accuracy.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with DO-254 or similar aviation hardware standards is highly valued. Familiarity with the associated design workflows and verification methods is a significant advantage. Knowledge of flight hardware qualification processes, including environmental testing and failure modes, is also preferred.

Tools and Skills

You will use CAD tools for schematic capture and PCB layout, relying on verification suites to validate your designs. You will work with test equipment such as oscilloscopes, power analyzers, and network analyzers to characterize hardware behavior. You should be comfortable using version control for design artifacts and scripting to automate test procedures.

Location and Compensation

This role is based in Boston, Massachusetts. The compensation range for this position is $170,000 to $200,000 USD, commensurate with experience.

Merlin is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Next Steps

Please confirm specific application instructions on the official careers page. Review the full details of the role and submit your materials through the designated portal.