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Merlin Labs

Posted 4 months ago

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Director, Strategy

Washington DCHybridFull-time

AI Summary

Director of Strategy who partners with executive leadership to define and execute Merlin’s business and corporate strategy, translating long-term vision into roadmaps, go-to-market plans, and data-driven analyses for aerospace and defense markets.

About this role

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:

You are a strategic operator with a deep interest in aviation, autonomy, and complex, regulated environments. You are comfortable navigating ambiguity, connecting technical innovation to market opportunity, and driving initiatives from concept through execution.You bring a structured approach to problem solving, strong business judgment, and the ability to influence across engineering, program, and commercial teams. You are equally comfortable in executive-level discussions and rolling up your sleeves to move critical initiatives forward.

Responsibilities:

  • Partner with executive leadership to define and evolve Merlin’s business and corporate strategy

  • Translate long-term vision into clear strategic priorities, roadmaps, and execution plans

  • Identify and evaluate new markets, mission sets, and customer segments across commercial and government domains

  • Develop go-to-market and growth strategies in regulated and government-contracted environments

  • Lead high-priority, cross-functional strategic initiatives from concept through implementation

  • Collaborate with Engineering, Programs, and Business Development to ensure alignment between technical development and business objectives

  • Support strategy related to FAA certification pathways and defense procurement processes

  • Build data-driven analyses, business cases, and executive-level materials to support decision-making and Board discussions

  • Assess competitive landscape, partnerships, and ecosystem dynamics to inform strategic positioning

  • Act as a force multiplier for leadership by increasing decision velocity and organizational alignment

Requirements:

  • 7-10+ years of experience in strategy, operations, or program leadership

  • Experience in aerospace, defense, autonomy, robotics, or other highly regulated industries

  • Proven ability to operate at both strategic and execution levels

  • Experience working with or alongside government customers or complex regulatory environments

  • Strong analytical and structured problem-solving skills

  • Demonstrated success leading cross-functional initiatives with measurable impact

  • Excellent communication skills with the ability to influence at both executive and technical levels

Nice to Haves:

  • Experience in autonomous systems, aviation, or AI-driven platforms

  • Familiarity with FAA certification, DoD procurement, or mission-based program development

  • Background in management consulting, corporate strategy, or high-growth startups

  • Experience scaling strategy in a venture-backed or rapidly growing company

  • Ability to navigate ambiguity and build structure in evolving environments

  • Operator mindset with a track record of driving strategy through execution

Skills

AI-driven PlatformsAutonomous SystemsBusiness CasesData AnalysisDoD ProcurementFAA CertificationGovernment ContractingMarket Analysis

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