... crew and uncrewed flight. Backed by some of the world's leading investors, Merlin is scaling ... direct people management responsibility. Qualifications: * 7+ years of experience building or ...
Quick apply
... crew and uncrewed flight. Backed by some of the world's leading investors, Merlin is scaling ... direct people management responsibility. Qualifications: * 7+ years of experience building or ...
... crew and uncrewed flight. Backed by some of the world's leading investors, Merlin is scaling ... direct people management responsibility. Qualifications: * 7+ years of experience building or ...
... crew and uncrewed flight. Backed by some of the world's leading investors, Merlin is scaling ... direct people management responsibility. Qualifications: * 7+ years of experience building or ...
Naval Flight Officer and Pilot
Malden, MA · On-site
... direct tactics, and coordinate the aircrew and external forces. * As Aviation Maintenance Duty ... Daily work blends flight operations, simulator events, mission planning, debriefs, and maintenance ...
Naval Flight Officer and Pilot
Malden, MA · On-site
... direct tactics, and coordinate the aircrew and external forces. * As Aviation Maintenance Duty ... Daily work blends flight operations, simulator events, mission planning, debriefs, and maintenance ...
... direct tactics, and coordinate the aircrew and external forces. * As Aviation Maintenance Duty ... Daily work blends flight operations, simulator events, mission planning, debriefs, and maintenance ...
... direct tactics, and coordinate the aircrew and external forces. * As Aviation Maintenance Duty ... Daily work blends flight operations, simulator events, mission planning, debriefs, and maintenance ...
Naval Flight Officer and Pilot
Lynn, MA · On-site
... direct tactics, and coordinate the aircrew and external forces. * As Aviation Maintenance Duty ... Daily work blends flight operations, simulator events, mission planning, debriefs, and maintenance ...
Naval Flight Officer and Pilot
Lynn, MA · On-site
... direct tactics, and coordinate the aircrew and external forces. * As Aviation Maintenance Duty ... Daily work blends flight operations, simulator events, mission planning, debriefs, and maintenance ...
... direct tactics, and coordinate the aircrew and external forces. * As Aviation Maintenance Duty ... Daily work blends flight operations, simulator events, mission planning, debriefs, and maintenance ...
... direct tactics, and coordinate the aircrew and external forces. * As Aviation Maintenance Duty ... Daily work blends flight operations, simulator events, mission planning, debriefs, and maintenance ...
Naval Flight Officer and Pilot
Littleton, MA · On-site
... direct tactics, and coordinate the aircrew and external forces. * As Aviation Maintenance Duty ... Daily work blends flight operations, simulator events, mission planning, debriefs, and maintenance ...
Naval Flight Officer and Pilot
Littleton, MA · On-site
... direct tactics, and coordinate the aircrew and external forces. * As Aviation Maintenance Duty ... Daily work blends flight operations, simulator events, mission planning, debriefs, and maintenance ...
Naval Flight Officer and Pilot
Woburn, MA · On-site
... direct tactics, and coordinate the aircrew and external forces. * As Aviation Maintenance Duty ... Daily work blends flight operations, simulator events, mission planning, debriefs, and maintenance ...
Naval Flight Officer and Pilot
Woburn, MA · On-site
... direct tactics, and coordinate the aircrew and external forces. * As Aviation Maintenance Duty ... Daily work blends flight operations, simulator events, mission planning, debriefs, and maintenance ...
Naval Flight Officer and Pilot
Waltham, MA · On-site
... direct tactics, and coordinate the aircrew and external forces. * As Aviation Maintenance Duty ... Daily work blends flight operations, simulator events, mission planning, debriefs, and maintenance ...
Naval Flight Officer and Pilot
Waltham, MA · On-site
... direct tactics, and coordinate the aircrew and external forces. * As Aviation Maintenance Duty ... Daily work blends flight operations, simulator events, mission planning, debriefs, and maintenance ...
Naval Flight Officer and Pilot
Plymouth, MA · On-site
... direct tactics, and coordinate the aircrew and external forces. * As Aviation Maintenance Duty ... Daily work blends flight operations, simulator events, mission planning, debriefs, and maintenance ...
Naval Flight Officer and Pilot
Plymouth, MA · On-site
... direct tactics, and coordinate the aircrew and external forces. * As Aviation Maintenance Duty ... Daily work blends flight operations, simulator events, mission planning, debriefs, and maintenance ...
Naval Flight Officer and Pilot
Pinehurst, MA · On-site
... direct tactics, and coordinate the aircrew and external forces. * As Aviation Maintenance Duty ... Daily work blends flight operations, simulator events, mission planning, debriefs, and maintenance ...
Naval Flight Officer and Pilot
Pinehurst, MA · On-site
... direct tactics, and coordinate the aircrew and external forces. * As Aviation Maintenance Duty ... Daily work blends flight operations, simulator events, mission planning, debriefs, and maintenance ...
... direct tactics, and coordinate the aircrew and external forces. * As Aviation Maintenance Duty ... Daily work blends flight operations, simulator events, mission planning, debriefs, and maintenance ...
... direct tactics, and coordinate the aircrew and external forces. * As Aviation Maintenance Duty ... Daily work blends flight operations, simulator events, mission planning, debriefs, and maintenance ...
Naval Flight Officer and Pilot
Salem, MA · On-site
... direct tactics, and coordinate the aircrew and external forces. * As Aviation Maintenance Duty ... Daily work blends flight operations, simulator events, mission planning, debriefs, and maintenance ...
Naval Flight Officer and Pilot
Salem, MA · On-site
... direct tactics, and coordinate the aircrew and external forces. * As Aviation Maintenance Duty ... Daily work blends flight operations, simulator events, mission planning, debriefs, and maintenance ...
Naval Flight Officer and Pilot
Melrose, MA · On-site
... direct tactics, and coordinate the aircrew and external forces. * As Aviation Maintenance Duty ... Daily work blends flight operations, simulator events, mission planning, debriefs, and maintenance ...
Naval Flight Officer and Pilot
Melrose, MA · On-site
... direct tactics, and coordinate the aircrew and external forces. * As Aviation Maintenance Duty ... Daily work blends flight operations, simulator events, mission planning, debriefs, and maintenance ...
... direct tactics, and coordinate the aircrew and external forces. * As Aviation Maintenance Duty ... Daily work blends flight operations, simulator events, mission planning, debriefs, and maintenance ...
... direct tactics, and coordinate the aircrew and external forces. * As Aviation Maintenance Duty ... Daily work blends flight operations, simulator events, mission planning, debriefs, and maintenance ...
Naval Flight Officer and Pilot
Watertown, MA · On-site
... direct tactics, and coordinate the aircrew and external forces. * As Aviation Maintenance Duty ... Daily work blends flight operations, simulator events, mission planning, debriefs, and maintenance ...
Naval Flight Officer and Pilot
Watertown, MA · On-site
... direct tactics, and coordinate the aircrew and external forces. * As Aviation Maintenance Duty ... Daily work blends flight operations, simulator events, mission planning, debriefs, and maintenance ...
Naval Flight Officer and Pilot
Cumberland, RI · On-site
... direct tactics, and coordinate the aircrew and external forces. * As Aviation Maintenance Duty ... Daily work blends flight operations, simulator events, mission planning, debriefs, and maintenance ...
Naval Flight Officer and Pilot
Cumberland, RI · On-site
... direct tactics, and coordinate the aircrew and external forces. * As Aviation Maintenance Duty ... Daily work blends flight operations, simulator events, mission planning, debriefs, and maintenance ...
... direct tactics, and coordinate the aircrew and external forces. * As Aviation Maintenance Duty ... Daily work blends flight operations, simulator events, mission planning, debriefs, and maintenance ...
... direct tactics, and coordinate the aircrew and external forces. * As Aviation Maintenance Duty ... Daily work blends flight operations, simulator events, mission planning, debriefs, and maintenance ...
Naval Flight Officer and Pilot
Chelsea, MA · On-site
... direct tactics, and coordinate the aircrew and external forces. * As Aviation Maintenance Duty ... Daily work blends flight operations, simulator events, mission planning, debriefs, and maintenance ...
Naval Flight Officer and Pilot
Chelsea, MA · On-site
... direct tactics, and coordinate the aircrew and external forces. * As Aviation Maintenance Duty ... Daily work blends flight operations, simulator events, mission planning, debriefs, and maintenance ...
Naval Flight Officer and Pilot
Revere, MA · On-site
... direct tactics, and coordinate the aircrew and external forces. * As Aviation Maintenance Duty ... Daily work blends flight operations, simulator events, mission planning, debriefs, and maintenance ...
Naval Flight Officer and Pilot
Revere, MA · On-site
... direct tactics, and coordinate the aircrew and external forces. * As Aviation Maintenance Duty ... Daily work blends flight operations, simulator events, mission planning, debriefs, and maintenance ...
Director Flight Simulation information
See Boston, MA salary details
$11.9K - $22.9K
0% of jobs
$22.9K - $33.8K
0% of jobs
$44.6K is the 25th percentile. Wages below this are outliers.
$33.8K - $44.7K
25% of jobs
$44.7K - $55.6K
5% of jobs
$55.6K - $66.5K
8% of jobs
The median wage is $73.7K / yr.
$66.5K - $77.4K
17% of jobs
$84.5K is the 75th percentile. Wages above this are outliers.
$77.4K - $88.3K
29% of jobs
$88.3K - $99.3K
9% of jobs
$99.3K - $110.2K
3% of jobs
$110.2K - $121.1K
1% of jobs
$121.1K - $132K
1% of jobs
$11.9K
$73.4K
$132K
How much do director flight simulation jobs pay per year?
As of Jul 28, 2026, the average yearly pay for director flight simulation in Boston, MA is $73,442.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $47,800.00 and $86,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.
What are some typical challenges faced by a Director of Flight Simulation, and how can they be addressed?
A Director of Flight Simulation often faces challenges such as keeping simulation technology up to date, ensuring regulatory compliance, and managing a diverse team of instructors, engineers, and support staff. Balancing the needs of pilots in training with operational constraints, such as simulator availability and maintenance downtime, is also common. These challenges can be addressed by fostering strong communication with stakeholders, staying informed about technological advancements, and implementing structured processes for scheduling and maintenance. Additionally, ongoing professional development and collaboration with aviation authorities help maintain high training standards.
What is the difference between Director Flight Simulation vs Flight Simulator Technician?
| Aspect | Director Flight Simulation | Flight Simulator Technician |
|---|---|---|
| Credentials | Bachelor's or higher in aviation, engineering, or related field; industry certifications | Technical diploma or associate degree; specialized certifications |
| Work Environment | Management of simulation programs, overseeing teams, strategic planning | Hands-on maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of flight simulators |
| Employer & Industry Usage | Airlines, military, simulation centers, training organizations | Simulation centers, maintenance providers, aviation training facilities |
The main difference is that the Director Flight Simulation oversees the entire simulation program and manages teams, while the Flight Simulator Technician focuses on the technical maintenance and repair of simulators. Both roles are essential in aviation training but differ in responsibilities and required credentials.
What does a Director of Flight Simulation do?
A Director of Flight Simulation oversees the development, implementation, and management of flight simulation programs within an airline, training center, or aviation organization. They are responsible for ensuring that simulators meet regulatory standards, managing simulator maintenance and upgrades, and coordinating training schedules for pilots and crew. This role often involves leadership of technical teams, budgeting for simulation resources, and staying updated with the latest advancements in simulation technology. They play a critical role in ensuring flight crews are thoroughly trained and prepared for real-world scenarios.
What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Director Flight Simulation, and why are they important?
To thrive as a Director Flight Simulation, you need expertise in aviation training, simulation technology, and leadership, often supported by an advanced degree in aviation or engineering and significant experience in flight operations or simulator management. Familiarity with flight simulator hardware/software, regulatory compliance systems (such as FAA/EASA standards), and project management tools is typically required. Exceptional communication, problem-solving, and organizational skills help ensure effective coordination among teams and stakeholders. These qualifications are crucial for delivering high-quality, compliant training programs and maintaining operational excellence within aviation organizations.
What are the most commonly searched types of Flight Simulation jobs in Boston, MA? The most popular types of Flight Simulation jobs in Boston, MA are:
What cities near Boston, MA are hiring for Director Flight Simulation jobs? Cities near Boston, MA with the most Director Flight Simulation job openings:
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: We are seeking a Staff Simulation Platform Engineer to design and build the next-generation simulation infrastructure that supports aircraft modeling, autonomy development, and hardware-in-the-loop validation across multiple aircraft platforms.
This is a hands-on senior technical role focused on building scalable virtual environments, stabilizing integration infrastructure, and enabling scenario-based autonomy validation without linear growth in engineering effort per platform.
This position reports to the Virtual Test Environments Lead and will play a central role in evolving our simulation ecosystem into a robust, scalable internal platform.
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Responsibilities: 1. Simulation Infrastructure Architecture & Implementation
Qualifications: Define and implement structured topology and configuration definitions across aircraft platforms
Improve stability of routing layers, hardware/software interfaces, and runtime integration components
Introduce versioning and compatibility discipline across simulation artifacts
Build validation tooling to prevent integration breakage from reaching lab benches
Expand scenario-based simulation capabilities supporting autonomy development
Enable structured Monte Carlo and multi-scenario validation workflows
Develop infrastructure to simulate sensor inputs and autonomy behaviors in realistic operational contexts
Improve determinism and traceability of simulation runs
Implement CI/CD workflows for simulation artifacts
Improve reproducibility of simulation environments
Implement schema-driven validation mechanisms for interfaces
Build foundational platform components hands-on during early phases
Mentor and elevate engineers working on simulation tools and routing infrastructure
Establish extensibility and architectural standards within the simulation stack
Influence cross-functional stakeholders (Autonomy, Compute Platform, Systems, Lab Integration)
This is a senior technical contributor role with significant architectural impact but no direct people management responsibility.
7+ years of experience building or scaling complex simulation or autonomy validation environments
Experience contributing to or architecting large-scale simulation frameworks (e.g., AFSIM, Unreal/Unity-based simulation environments, CARLA, custom autonomy simulation platforms, or equivalent)
Strong software architecture experience in multi-component, distributed systems
Experience defining interface contracts, configuration schemas, or API boundaries in complex systems
Experience integrating simulation environments with real-time or hardware-in-the-loop systems
Hands-on proficiency in Python and/or C++
Demonstrated ability to modernize or scale legacy engineering toolchains
Experience developing simulation or virtual validation environments for autonomy systems (automotive, aerospace, robotics)
Experience designing scenario-based validation systems
Familiarity with SIL/HIL integration
Experience implementing CI/CD in engineering-heavy environments
Background in safety-critical systems
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.Â
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.
About Merlin Labs
Sourced by ZipRecruiter
Industry
Software development
Company size
51 - 200 Employees
Headquarters location
Boston, MA, US
Year founded
2018