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Senior Program Manager, Autonomy

Merlin Labs

Merlin Labsmerlinlabs.com

Senior Program Manager, Autonomy

Posted 11 months ago

This job is still taking applications, but it's been up a while.

About the job

Merlin is an aerospace startup developing autonomous flight solutions, scaling programs for defense and aviation. As a Senior Program Manager, you'll lead high-impact projects from early-stage to deployment, collaborating with engineering and customers to shape the future of aviation.

Requirements

  • 8+ years program leadership experience
  • Proven success in complex programs
  • Experience with military customers
  • Understanding of program lifecycle
  • Strong stakeholder skills

Qualifications

  • Experience in aerospace or defense
  • Ability to obtain security clearance
  • Technical curiosity and systems thinking
  • Excellent communication skills
  • Leadership in high-growth environments

Full job description

About Merlin:

Merlin is a venture backed aerospace startup building a non-human pilot to enable both reduced crew and uncrewed flight. Backed by some of the world’s leading investors, Merlin is scaling alongside our customers to begin leveraging autonomy today to solve some of aviation’s biggest challenges.

About You:  

You are a strategic operator with deep program leadership experience and a passion for delivering mission-critical outcomes. As a Senior Program Manager at Merlin, you’ll play a pivotal role in leading and scaling a portfolio of high-impact autonomy programs—from early-stage through successful deployment and fielding.

You bring a rare blend of technical fluency, stakeholder confidence, and operational rigor. You thrive in dynamic environments where ambiguity is the norm and execution velocity is critical. You have the ability to listen deeply, translate customer needs into technical and programmatic priorities, and guide teams toward impactful delivery. You’re not just a program manager—you’re a builder, an integrator, and a force multiplier. If you’re excited by the opportunity to shape the future of aviation while growing enduring customer relationships, we’d love to meet you.


Responsibilities:

  • Own and lead a portfolio of programs, spanning autonomy, integration, flight test, certification, and operational fielding.
  • Drive program strategy and execution across multiple internal and external teams—including engineering, product, test, supply chain, and business development.
  • Serve as the senior point of contact for customer engagements, program reviews, and critical milestones. Build trust and deliver with high accountability.
  • Translate operator feedback and requirements into clear, actionable deliverables for engineering and test teams.
  • Develop and manage integrated master schedules, financial plans, and program baselines across multiple workstreams.
  • Identify and mitigate cross-program risks, resource constraints, and bottlenecks before they impact delivery.
  • Build and institutionalize execution processes and artifacts that scale as our portfolio grows (e.g., WBS frameworks, program rhythms, status reporting).
  • Provide mentorship and leadership across the broader program management organization.

Qualifications:

  • 8 + years of experience in program or project leadership roles, ideally with aviation or automotive autonomy experience.
  • Proven success leading complex programs involving cross-functional teams and technical integration with focus on software development and deliveries.
  • Ability to manage a portfolio of programs with resource and time constraints and understand the broader product strategy
  • Exceptional listening, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to build alignment between customers and internal teams.
  • Ability to context switch between strategy, execution, and team dynamics across multiple efforts.
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Secret Security Clearance.

Nice to Have:

  • Experience scaling program teams or building new operating models in high-growth environments.
  • Prior experience in autonomy, mission systems, or flight control integration.
  • Active Security Clearance.

This position is based on-site at Merlin HQ in Boston, MA.

Once you’re here, you’ll enjoy a variety of on-site perks designed to make your workday enjoyable and convenient. These include catered lunches featuring a rotating menu of delicious options, an assortment of snacks to keep you fueled throughout the day, and a selection of beverages, including coffee, tea, and other drinks, to keep you refreshed.

Our goal is to create an environment where you can thrive both professionally and personally

Merlin Labs offers an innovative, entrepreneurial, and team-focused startup environment. We also offer a top-notch benefits package (health, dental, life, unlimited vacation, 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: people@merlinlabs.com

Merlin Labs does not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than directly from candidates.

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