Test Pilot
Merlin Labs
Location: North Kingstown, RI
About You:
Do you enjoy hands-on testing at the cutting edge of aerospace technology? Do you enjoy fast paced problem solving? Are you self-motivated and have a critical eye for flight safety and flight test details? Do you love the idea of more widely proliferated and safer flying machines, accessible to all?
If so, you might be a good fit to lead our Experimental Test Pilot position as part of our Flight Test team here at Merlin.
The Role:
- Lead capability testing on our test aircraft working with our engineering team in supporting development of our autonomy systems by flying early and often.
- As a lead project pilot, develop and drive the application of processes we need to prepare for, execute, and analyze our flight tests.
- Collaborate with hardware, software, flight controls, integration, and flight operation teams to develop test plans, ensure readiness for test, and drive efficient and effective collection of the data we need to test our systems.
- Execute flight tests as needed onsite, including assisting in building and approving test cards, verifying procedures and software via simulation, serving as test pilot, and supporting generation of analysis and deficiency reports after flight through robust flight test reports.
- This position may require up to 50% travel.
Qualifications:
- BS in Aerospace Engineering or a related subject.
- 5+ years direct experience with experimental flight tests or a combination of equivalent formal training and experience.
- Graduate of a recognized test pilot school or program.
- Knowledge of basic concepts of fixed wing aircraft flight dynamics and control.
- Enthusiastic willingness to do what needs to be done to help our flight test program succeed.
- Exceptional written and verbal communication and organizational skills.
Bonus:
- Experience using software development environments and tools such as Linux, git, and Jira.
- Experience with flight controls product development, including testing and troubleshooting at the system level as well as at the software component level.
Compensation Range $215-250K
posted 20 November
Director of Flight Test
Merlin Labs
Location: North Kingstown, RI
About You:
You are a proven leader in aerospace flight test, with hands-on experience in experimental and certification aircraft programs. You excel at navigating the complexities of first flights, envelope expansion, and certification paths for new aviation technologies. You bring a balance of technical expertise, operational discipline, and visionary leadership that enables you to safely manage the uncertainties inherent in experimental and prototype flight testing. You are motivated by pushing the boundaries of flight and shaping the future of aviation.
Responsibilities:
Lead all experimental and prototype flight test activities, from concept through certification.
Develop and execute test strategies for first flights, envelope expansion, systems validation, and performance testing.
Oversee creation of flight test plans, safety risk assessments, hazard analyses, and flight readiness reviews.
Partner closely with engineering teams to validate new designs, avionics, autonomy, propulsion, and control systems under test.
Direct the work of test pilots, flight test engineers, instrumentation specialists, and ground crews during experimental campaigns.
Ensure adherence to FAA/EASA/DoD experimental test standards and experimental certificate requirements.
Manage relationships with regulatory authorities, DERs, and other stakeholders to align test programs with certification objectives.
Provide leadership in accident/incident prevention, emergency response planning, and operational risk management.
Present technical and program-level updates to senior leadership, partners, and certification bodies.
Foster a culture of safety, innovation, and technical excellence within the test organization.
Qualifications:
Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field (advanced degree preferred).
10 + years of aerospace flight test experience, with significant focus on experimental or developmental aircraft programs.
Demonstrated success managing first-flight and experimental test programs for prototype aircraft.
Deep knowledge of flight sciences, test instrumentation, telemetry, and data analysis specific to experimental testing.
Expertise in FAA Part 21, Part 23/25, Part 27/29, or equivalent experimental certification processes.
Proven leadership of multidisciplinary test teams in high-risk experimental environments.
Strong technical communication skills, with the ability to brief both technical teams and executive stakeholders.
Nice to Haves:
Graduate of a recognized test pilot school or experimental flight test engineer program.
Pilot certification (experimental or test pilot background).
Compensation Range: $220-280K
posted 20 November