R&D Software Engineering Manager

Merlin Labs - Boston, MA

Full-time - Senior

Boston, MA

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

About the position

The position is for a seasoned leader at Merlin Labs, an early-stage autonomy company focused on developing software and hardware solutions for autonomous aircraft operations. The role emphasizes fostering a positive work environment, mentoring team members, and delivering technical solutions in aviation autonomy. The leader will manage a diverse team, drive the development of new flight capabilities, and ensure effective communication and collaboration within the team.

Responsibilities

• Drive the progress of Merlin's rapid development autonomy system, overseeing the team designing, implementing, and testing core experimental R&D software.
• Promote a culture of open communication and continuous improvement that encourages innovation and proactive problem-solving.
• Manage the complete software development lifecycle, from planning and design through implementation to testing and maintenance.
• Drive the recruitment, hiring, training, and development of team members, fostering a technically proficient and highly motivated team.
• Regularly work with team members to ensure they have a reasonable workload and the support they need.
• Collaborate with subject matter experts in autonomy, flight controls, avionics, and experimental flight testing to develop and fly new capabilities.

Requirements

• BS in Computer Science, Aerospace Engineering, Robotics, or a related subject.
• 5+ years of experience developing software for aircraft systems.
• Deep knowledge of relevant software engineering topics, including C++, Python, Linux, git, and open-source development tools.
• 3+ years leading software teams with a mix of senior and junior engineers to successful release and delivery of software.
• Experience designing, implementing, and testing software for greenfield projects.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience with ROS (Robot Operating System) or similar robotics middleware and message passing frameworks.
• Experience with flight testing of aircraft of any type, including experimental and UAV.
• Experience with certification processes such as DO-178.
• Knowledge of fixed wing aircraft flight controls and dynamics.
• Experience with aviation (ground school, flight school, pilot licenses a big plus).

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Life insurance
• Unlimited vacation
• 401k with match