Full-Time

Tactical Autonomy Engineer

Posted on 8/7/2024

Merlin Labs

Merlin Labs

51-200 employees

Develops autonomous flight technology for aircraft

No salary listed

Junior, Mid

No H1B Sponsorship

Boston, MA, USA

Flexible hybrid in-office schedules; comprehensive relocation assistance available.

US Citizenship, US Top Secret Clearance Required

Category
Research & Development
Aerospace Engineering
Required Skills
Python
MATLAB
C/C++
Requirements
  • Strong engineering background from industry or school, ideally in Robotics, Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, or Physics.
  • Strong foundation in computer science and software engineering fundamentals, including modern C++, Python, and/or MATLAB/Simulink experience.
  • Experience and/or demonstrated interest in autonomy in one or more of the following areas: decision making, path planning, optimization, perception, localization, mapping, or controls.
  • Comfort working in a fast-paced, collaborative environment on solutions for the United States Department of Defense and its allies.
  • This position requires the candidate to be able to obtain and hold a U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Security Clearance. Applicants must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information, which includes U.S. citizenship.
Responsibilities
  • Contribute to the core autonomy stack, including designing and maintaining core libraries in areas such as decision making, path planning, optimization, perception, localization, mapping, and controls.
  • Test and validate developed features through unit testing, simulation testing, and software-in-the-loop testing.
  • Partner with Merlin’s other engineering teams to analyze autonomous behaviors through hardware-in-the-loop testing and flight testing.
  • Collaborate closely with experts in other fields to define tactical behaviors given operational requirements.
  • Drive the definition, productization, and fielding of Merlin’s next-generation autonomous operator.

Merlin Labs develops autonomous flight technology, specifically the Merlin Pilot, an advanced system designed to operate aircraft without human intervention. This system can be integrated into various types of aircraft, regardless of their size or age. The technology works by initially pairing the autonomous pilot with a human pilot, allowing for a gradual shift towards full autonomy, which enhances safety and builds trust in the system. Unlike competitors, Merlin Labs focuses on practical implementation and partnerships with aviation authorities and manufacturers to ensure compliance with safety regulations. The goal of Merlin Labs is to transform air travel by making autonomous flight a standard practice in the aviation industry.

Company Size

51-200

Company Stage

Grant

Total Funding

$170.8M

Headquarters

Boston, Massachusetts

Founded

2019

Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Growing demand for urban air mobility boosts Merlin Labs' market potential.
  • Collaboration with Honeywell expands Merlin's reach into civil and military aviation.
  • Merlin's Certification System Bench accelerates testing and certification processes.

What critics are saying

  • Increased competition from established aerospace companies may challenge Merlin's market share.
  • Potential regulatory delays could impact Merlin's commercialization timeline.
  • Integration challenges from EpiSci acquisition may divert resources from core projects.

What makes Merlin Labs unique

  • Merlin Labs' phased approach ensures safety and builds trust in autonomous flight.
  • The Merlin Pilot system is adaptable to any aircraft, regardless of size or age.
  • Partnerships with FAA and CAA ensure compliance with safety and regulatory standards.

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Benefits

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Life Insurance

Unlimited Paid Time Off

401(k) Company Match

Flexible Work Hours

Relocation Assistance

Growth & Insights and Company News

Headcount

6 month growth

7%

1 year growth

7%

2 year growth

7%
01net
Mar 19th, 2025
Merlin Achieves FAA Approval for Custom Remote Data Concentrator; Progresses the Development and Certification of the Merlin Pilot

Merlin collaborated closely with Shadin Avionics to define the system, hardware, and design specifications.

Military & Aerospace Electronics
Oct 30th, 2024
Honeywell and Merlin collaborate on autonomous flight tech for civil and military aircraft

PHOENIX - Honeywell in Phoenix and Merlin Labs, a Boston-based developer of autonomous flight technology for fixed-wing aircraft, announced a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to collaborate on introducing autonomous systems across various aircraft, including military fleets.

TechNews
Jun 23rd, 2024
Merlin Labs Acquires EpiSci for AI Flight

Merlin Labs, a U.S. AI startup, announced the acquisition of EpiSci, a company known for its AI flight systems for F-16 jets. This move aims to combine their expertise in AI aviation. Merlin is also collaborating with the U.S. Air Force on an unmanned KC-135 refueling aircraft, with a test flight expected next year. Additionally, they are developing an AI system for unmanned C-130 transport planes. This acquisition positions Merlin as a key player in the AI unmanned flight systems market.

Business Wire
Apr 23rd, 2024
Merlin Partners With Mit Lincoln Laboratory (Ll) To Continue Work To Dramatically Improve Aviation Safety

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Merlin, the aviation technology company developing the world’s most capable pilot to advance the future of automated flight, today announced its partnership with MIT Lincoln Laboratory (LL) in the first step towards an operational next generation collision avoidance technology. This partnership will see the two organizations explore the commercial adoption of the Airborne Collision Avoidance System Xu (ACAS Xu) on unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). The partnership will focus on the initial integration and further implementation of the ACAS Xu software standard (RTCA DO-386) with the Merlin Pilot, allowing Merlin to deliver enhanced automated collision avoidance measures based on the outputs from ACAS Xu that exceed the standards of the National Airspace System. Funded by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), MIT LL’s ACAS X is an onboard next generation airborne collision avoidance system designed to help pilots and unmanned aircraft safely navigate the airspace, eventually set to replace the current Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System II (TCAS). The ACAS Xu version of the system is tailored for unmanned aircraft systems and is fully compatible with the new airspace procedures and technologies of the FAA’s next generation air transportation system. By partnering with MIT LL to integrate the ACAS Xu software with the Merlin Pilot, progressive steps are being made toward integrating unmanned aircraft systems into the National Airspace System safely and scalably

Business Wire
Apr 10th, 2024
Merlin Completes Design And Build Of Certification System Bench To Accelerate Company’S Path To Supplemental Type Certification

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Merlin, the aviation technology company developing the world’s most capable pilot to advance the future of automated flight, today announced the completion of the design and build of the company’s Certification System Bench, which was built to the fidelity required for certification testing. The Certification System Bench is a flight test simulator with both certifiable software and hardware components that allows Merlin to constantly test its advanced automation systems from its Boston headquarters. Unlike traditional in-flight testing, the Certification System Bench can be utilized irrespective of weather, maintenance schedules, and pilot availability. Further, Merlin’s Certification System Bench features cameras that provide remote accessibility and testing abilities for Merlin’s distributed, global team, and also includes three screens that represent the pilot deck as well as accurate instrument panels and primary flight displays. “In many ways, the Certification System Bench acts as a testing ‘funnel.’ It allows us to test hundreds of cases with speed and ease, selecting edge cases to take to in-flight testing. As a result, we’re able to reduce the use of our test aircraft and keep it for limited cases only,” said Sherif Ali, Chief Engineer for the certified Merlin Pilot project

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