Merlin
aerospace
Director,Strategy
Neural analysis suggests this role is
optimal for Director candidates.
“Director, Strategy at Merlin. Skills: strategy, operations, program leadership, business strategy, corporate strategy, go-to-market strategies, growth strategies, government-contracted environments, business development, business cases, strategic positioning, decision-making, Board discussions, competitive landscape assessment, partnership assessment, ecosystem dynamics assessment. Partner with executive leadership to define and evolve Merlin’s business and corporate strategy. Translate long-ter”
What You'll Achieve.
measurable impact
Industry & Context.
analytical and structured problem-solving skills; structured approach to problem solving
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: [email protected]
What They're Looking For.
Must Have
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, 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 Have
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
What You'll Do.
Partner with executive leadership to define and evolve Merlin’s business and corporate strategy
Translate long-term vision into clear strategic priorities
Identify and evaluate new markets
and customer segments across commercial and government domains
Develop go-to-market and growth strategies in regulated and government-contracted environments
cross-functional strategic initiatives from concept through implementation
Collaborate with Engineering
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
and executive-level materials to support decision-making and Board discussions
Assess competitive landscape
and ecosystem dynamics to inform strategic positioning
Act as a force multiplier for leadership by increasing decision velocity and organizational alignment
How You'll Work.
Team & Collaboration
Collaborate with Engineering, Programs, and Business Development to ensure alignment between technical development and business objectives; influence across engineering, program, and commercial teams
Communication Scope
Excellent communication skills with the ability to influence at both executive and technical levels
Process & Methodology
driving initiatives from concept through execution, Lead high-priority, cross-functional strategic initiatives from concept through implementation
Full Job Description
## 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 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, op
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