Full Job Description
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:
1. 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
2. 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
3. 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
4. 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
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
Nice to Have:
- Experience with aerospace or autonomy systems
- Experience deploying virtualized compute infrastructure in lab environments
- Familiarity with configuration management and compatibility versioning strategies
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.