Experimental Test Pilot

Company: Merlin Labs
Location: North Kingstown
Posted on: February 21, 2026

Job Description:

Job Description 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: 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. Nice to Haves: 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. 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.

Keywords: Merlin Labs, Meriden , Experimental Test Pilot, IT / Software / Systems , North Kingstown, Connecticut