Merlin Labs
Merlin Labs

Deputy General Counsel

TLDR

Lead the company's legal strategy in a dynamic aerospace startup environment, overseeing critical M&A transactions and regulatory compliance initiatives.

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. 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.

Benefits

Free Meals & Snacks

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.

Merlin Labs is an aviation technology startup creating fully autonomous flight systems that integrate advanced automation with human oversight. We're focused on addressing the soaring global demand for air travel by enabling both reduced crew and uncrewed flight solutions, helping customers tackle some of the aviation industry's toughest challenges.

Founded
Founded 2018
Employees
51-200 employees
Industry
Aerospace & Defense
Total raised
$130M raised
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