Lead Systems Engineer, Flight Autonomy

About the role

The Systems Engineer, Flight Autonomy is tasked with the comprehensive definition, implementation, and verification of the Flight Autonomy system for Merlin's non-human pilot. This role owns the architectural decisions that dictate how aircraft operate seamlessly from gate to gate, translating high-level mission goals into deterministic, safety-critical behaviors. You will design the control logic, data flow, and integration points necessary for AI-driven functions to operate reliably within certified environments. The scope of work encompasses the entire project lifecycle, from initial concept and simulation through to deployment in active flight test programs spanning multiple global sites. You will architect the intake and processing pipelines that standardize diverse sensor data and mission parameters for varied test campaigns. This involves constructing simulation models and control modules that directly support flight test objectives while adhering to strict safety standards. A core responsibility is coordinating cross-functional design reviews to ensure that logic and behavior align precisely with certification requirements and defined operational limits. You will also create verification packages that meticulously document behavior trees, edge-case handling, and deployment procedures for field operations.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Architect and define the end-to-end Flight Autonomy system, transforming high-level mission goals into deterministic, safety-critical behaviors that govern aircraft operation from gate to gate.
• Design control logic, data flow, and integration points that enable AI-driven functions to operate reliably within certified and regulated environments.
• Architect the intake and processing pipelines that standardize diverse sensor data and mission parameters for varied test campaigns and operational scenarios.
• Construct simulation models and control modules that directly support flight test objectives and adhere to strict safety standards and certification requirements.
• Coordinate cross-functional design reviews, ensuring that system logic and behavior align with certification requirements, operational limits, and defined safety constraints.
• Create comprehensive verification packages that document behavior trees, edge-case handling, and deployment procedures for active field operations and testing.
• Orchestrate test sequences across global operational sites in Kerikeri, New Zealand; Quonset Point, Rhode Island; and the upcoming Bedford, Massachusetts operations.
• Collaborate with suppliers and partners to align hardware and software interfaces, guaranteeing compatibility with current and future aircraft platforms.
• Guide the breakdown of requirements for new aircraft roles, clearly linking system capabilities to customer demands and regulatory constraints.
• Ensure robust decision logic is maintained, allowing rapid feature iteration while preserving active risk controls and safety integrity throughout the development lifecycle.
• Maintain system architecture integrity across the program, balancing the need for innovation in AI-driven autonomy with the strict requirements of safety-critical systems.
• Translate complex system behaviors into clear documentation and traceability matrices that connect requirements to verification and testing targets.

Requirements

• Hold hands-on experience building system architecture for both hardware and software components within complex, integrated systems.
• Create requirements that traceability through testing, ensuring each function meets its specific verification targets and performance criteria.
• Demonstrate work with AI-enabled control systems that drive autonomous behaviors in dynamic, real-world scenarios and unpredictable environments.
• Possess a deep understanding of safety-critical processes within experimental flight programs, particularly those managing high-consequence scenarios and critical failures.
• Bring several years of experience guiding new product development in aviation or other highly regulated sectors with rigorous safety standards.
• Exhibit a strong ability to work within frameworks that demand deterministic outcomes and rigorous adherence to procedural constraints.
• Show a proven capacity to operate effectively in environments where technical ambiguity and evolving requirements are common.
• Maintain a commitment to meticulous documentation and procedural rigor essential for certification and regulatory compliance.

Nice to have

• Experience with flight test campaigns and operational environments where real-world data directly informs design and iterative development.
• Proficiency with the technical stack essential for the autonomy platform, including NoSQL databases, React, NodeJS, Kafka, Python, and AWS infrastructure.

Practical notes

This is a full-time, onsite role based in Boston. The position offers a competitive compensation package of $185,000. The successful candidate will join a growing engineering organization dedicated to advancing the certification and commercialization of autonomous flight. You will play a pivotal role in solving aviation's most pressing challenges, including pilot shortages and the enhancement of flight safety. A passion for new development and a proven record of navigating the challenges of early-stage technology are critical to success in this role. The position involves orchestration of test sequences in multiple international locations, requiring adaptability to various operational environments and regulatory frameworks.