Senior UI Design Engineer

Summary

Join Merlin as a skilled UI/UX designer to drive the design of intuitive user interfaces for autonomous flight technologies. You will conduct user research with pilots, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and ensure designs meet aviation standards. This role requires proficiency in UI development tools and a strong understanding of human factors. Experience in aviation or other safety-critical industries is essential. You will integrate advanced design methodologies and explore emerging technologies for aviation systems. The position involves 20-30% travel.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in human factors, interaction design, industrial design, computer science, or a related field
• 5+ years of experience in UI/UX design, preferable in aviation, aerospace, or other safety-critical industries
• Demonstrated track record developing usable and intuitive user interfaces that enhance user situational awareness, reduce workload, and mitigate errors
• Proficiency in user interface development tools like GLStudio, Qt, or other real-time graphical user interface platforms
• Experience using prototyping tools (e.g., Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD)
• Familiarity with human factors principles and usability testing processes
• Familiarity with aviation industry standards (e.g., ARINC 661, DO-178C, FAA and EASA guidelines)
• Strong communication and presentation skills with the ability to convey design concepts clearly to technical and non-technical stakeholders

Responsibilities

• Drive the design of usable, intuitive user interfaces that enable pilots to interact with Merlin’s autonomous flight technologies
• Conduct user research with Merlin’s pilots and potential end-users of Merlin’s systems to gather insights and validate design concepts
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (including engineers, pilots, and software developers) to design and implement user interfaces for avionics and flight control systems
• Ensure interface designs meet aviation standards (e.g., ARINC 661, DO-178C, FAA and EASA guidelines)
• Integrate advanced design methodologies with tools such as GLStudio, Qt, Figma, or other UI development platforms
• Explore emerging technologies (e.g., augmented reality, AI, and voice control) for application in aviation systems

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s or Doctorate degree in human factors, interaction design, industrial design, computer science, or a related field
• Experience using GLStudio to develop user interfaces
• Experience with avionics systems integration and software development
• Experience certifying pilot-vehicle interfaces on military and/or civil aircraft
• Experience with flight testing on crewed or uncrewed aircraft
• Familiarity with DoD and commercial open architectures such as A-GRA, OMS, FACE, and IMA

Benefits

20-30% of travel required to support team meetings, design activities, and flight testing