System Integration & Labs Manager

Overview 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: We are seeking a Systems Integration & Labs Manager to lead the design, build, and operation of HIL, AIR and SIL environments that support flight controls development, autonomy validation, and multi-aircraft integration. This role owns the physical integration layer of the simulation ecosystem — ensuring stable, repeatable, and scalable deployment of hardware-in-the-loop and lab-based validation environments across multiple aircraft platforms. Responsibilities Test Environment Leadership Lead the design, build, and lifecycle management of HIL, AIR, and SIL environments Establish configuration control standards for hardware, networking, and physical integration Ensure lab infrastructure scales cleanly across multiple aircraft platforms Integration Stability & Discipline Implement structured integration processes Define and enforce bench configuration versioning and compatibility practices Partner with the Simulation Platform pillar to ensure clean deployment of platform-defined topologies Team Leadership Manage and grow a team of integration engineers Set technical standards for hardware integration, signal integrity, and deployment Provide escalation support during integration and validation events Cross-Functional Coordination Collaborate with Flight Dynamics and Simulation Platform teams Support flight test preparation and remote integration events Interface with Systems, Autonomy, and Compute Platform teams to align integration timelines Required Qualifications 8+ years of experience in systems integration, HIL/SIL environments, or complex hardware/software integration Experience leading integration efforts across evolving system configurations; strong understanding of real-time I/O, embedded interfaces, and hardware-in-the-loop validation Experience managing technical teams in a multidisciplinary engineering environment Demonstrated ability to bring structure and discipline to evolving integration workflows Preferred Qualifications Experience with aerospace or autonomy systems Experience deploying virtualized compute infrastructure in lab environments Familiarity with configuration management and compatibility versioning strategies Location & Benefits This position is based on-site at Merlin HQ in Boston, MA. On-site perks include catered lunches, snacks, beverages, and coffee to support your workday. Merlin Labs offers an innovative, entrepreneurial, and team-focused startup environment with a top-notch benefits package (health, dental, life, unlimited vacation, 401k with match) and work/life integration. Equal Opportunity & Compliance 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: Merlin Labs does not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than directly from candidates. #J-18808-Ljbffr