Senior Systems Engineer

About the role

The Senior Systems Engineer at Merlin Labs is responsible for defining the high-level architecture that governs how aircraft perceive and interact with the sky. In this capacity, you will own the intricate requirements that transform abstract autonomy concepts into concrete, testable system behaviors. Your leadership will be felt during critical experimental flight campaigns where system decisions are validated in the harsh reality of the atmosphere. You will act as the central technical translator, converting ambiguous stakeholder needs into precise engineering specifications for the autonomy stack. This position demands rigorous oversight of safety-critical development processes to ensure every line of logic adheres to aviation-grade standards. You will manage the interface between the physical aircraft hardware and the software constructs that give it intelligence. The role requires a proactive approach to identifying integration risks before they manifest in flight. Ultimately, you will ensure that the platform is robust enough to operate without a human pilot in the loop across diverse operational environments.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Architect the core systems responsible for processing sensor inputs and generating control outputs for autonomous aircraft.
• Define and maintain the requirements baseline that dictates how the autonomy platform must behave in all specified conditions.
• Design the data ingestion frameworks that capture high-fidelity flight telemetry for offline analysis and model improvement.
• Build the integration layers that allow disparate hardware components to communicate seamlessly with the central control software.
• Coordinate technical reviews with aviation certification authorities to ensure all designs meet regulatory compliance.
• Oversee the creation of validation builds that are tested rigorously in simulated and real flight test scenarios.
• Partner with external suppliers to validate component specifications and ensure they meet the performance margins required for flight.
• Analyze complex test results to identify root causes and iterate on system models for future vehicle generations.
• Produce detailed documentation that captures system behavior, decision logic, and environmental assumptions for future engineers.
• Lead investigations into edge case scenarios to prove system reliability under extreme or unexpected conditions.
• Guide the development of experiments that push the autonomy stack to its operational limits.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for cross-functional teams regarding system capabilities and limitations.
• Liaise with customers and partners to gather feedback that informs the evolution of the autonomy platform.
• Ensure all engineering activities remain compliant with defense regulations and export control requirements.
• Drive the adoption of best practices in version control and continuous integration to maintain code quality and traceability.

Requirements

You must hold a Bachelor's degree in engineering, computer science, or a closely related technical discipline. You are required to possess a minimum of three years of professional experience developing safety-critical systems. Demonstrated history in requirements engineering for aviation or aerospace projects is mandatory for consideration. A comprehensive understanding of aircraft systems and the unique constraints of the flight environment is essential. You must have the capability to plan and execute test campaigns for experimental flight programs. Experience engaging with customers, suppliers, and certification bodies on technical matters is a strict prerequisite. You must be able to work comfortably within environments governed by defense-related regulations. Previous exposure to autonomy systems for aircraft, specifically involving non-human pilots, is highly valued for this position. Familiarity with requirements management tools and modeling languages such as SysML is expected. You will work within a software development workflow that relies on version control and continuous integration methodologies. Your background should include participation in R&D flight test programs where data-driven decisions are critical. You must exhibit a mindset that prioritizes safety without sacrificing the velocity of innovation. Experience navigating the complexities of a fast-paced product development cycle is necessary for success.

Nice to have

Candidates who have worked on non-human pilot autonomy specifically for aircraft platforms will find this role aligns strongly with their expertise. Proficiency with industry-standard requirements management solutions and modeling languages is preferred. Experience utilizing version control repositories and continuous integration pipelines in a regulated environment is advantageous. A history of working within experimental flight test settings will provide a significant advantage during the onboarding process.