Deputy General Counsel

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 seasoned, business-minded attorney with experience operating in a public company environment and a track record of independently leading M&A, structuring and negotiating complex commercial agreements, and navigating highly regulated industries. You bring strong judgment and the ability to move quickly from term sheet to close, and from first draft to signed contract, by motivating cross-functional teams and engaging directly with business leaders on deal execution and strategy.

You are comfortable operating with autonomy in a fast-paced, highly regulated, and technically sophisticated environment, exercising sound judgment under time pressure and building repeatable legal processes alongside a small but growing team. You are energized by the challenge of constructing the commercial and transactional legal infrastructure for a pioneering autonomous aviation company.

Responsibilities:

• Partner closely with the Chief Legal Officer to lead the company’s legal strategy and day-to-day execution across a public company environment.

• Lead M&A transactions, joint ventures, and other strategic initiatives from term sheet through closing, including diligence, drafting and negotiating definitive agreements, and coordinating outside counsel. Support the CLO on capital markets transactions as needed.

• Lead key regulatory and compliance efforts, particularly within aerospace, aviation, and autonomous systems frameworks, and support the ongoing development of global compliance programs including ethics, anti-corruption, and insider trading policies.

• Own day-to-day commercial legal activities, serving as the primary point of contact for inbound contract requests from the business and independently drafting and negotiating teaming agreements, technology licenses, NDAs, and other commercial agreements; partner with and support government contracts professionals in connection with government prime contracts and subcontracts (including FAR/DFARS compliance),

• Manage and mentor members of the legal team, oversee strategic consultants (including advisors engaged in support of business development, government affairs, and other external-facing initiatives), and coordinate external counsel to ensure high-quality, efficient legal support.

• Support the CLO on public company securities law and corporate governance matters, including SEC reporting, Regulation FD compliance, and Board and committee work, working alongside the supporting paralegal on governance processes, with a meaningful opportunity to develop depth in these areas over time.

Qualifications:

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school and active membership in at least one U.S. state bar.

• 8+ years of legal experience, including a combination of top-tier law firm and in-house experience, with meaningful in-house exposure to a publicly traded or high-growth company.

• Demonstrated ability to independently lead M&A transactions and complex commercial negotiations, including drafting and redlining definitive agreements with limited outside counsel support.

• Comfort advising executive leadership and working collaboratively in a lean legal function where ownership and initiative are expected.

• Experience drafting and negotiating a broad range of commercial agreements, including teaming agreements, government subcontracts, technology licenses, and strategic partnership arrangements.

• Background in highly regulated industries such as aerospace, aviation, defense, or advanced technology.

• Strong business acumen with the ability to balance legal risk with practical outcomes.

• Excellent communication, organizational, and leadership skills with strong attention to detail.

Nice to Have:

• Prior experience in a Deputy General Counsel or senior legal leadership role at a public company.

• Working familiarity with FAA certification processes, ITAR/EAR export controls, and/or government contracting under FAR/DFARS frameworks.

• Experience supporting capital markets transactions (follow-on equity offerings, PIPEs, convertible notes) in a supporting role alongside a lead securities attorney.

• Experience with cross-border transactions or international commercial arrangements.

• Experience advising leadership with respect to government affairs, lobbying and strategic consultants.

• Background in managing global legal and compliance frameworks.

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.

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: [email protected]

Merlin Labs does not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than directly from candidates.