Director of Total Rewards

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 and hands-on total rewards leader who drives the design, execution, and evolution of compensation, equity, benefits, and recognition programs within a software-focused organization. You partner closely with executive leadership and cross-functional teams—including Finance, Legal, and People—to build competitive, scalable rewards programs that align with business strategy and support company growth.

Responsibilities: :
• Define and execute a comprehensive total rewards strategy aligned with company growth, talent priorities, and business objectives
• Serve as a strategic advisor to executive leadership on compensation philosophy, equity strategy, and rewards tradeoffs
• Own compensation architecture, including job leveling, salary bands, and pay-for-performance frameworks
• Lead annual compensation planning cycles (merit, bonus, and promotion) in partnership with Finance and HRBP
• Design, administer, and evolve equity programs (e.g., stock options, RSUs), including new hire grants, refresh cycles, and executive compensation support
• Ensure compliance with applicable regulatory requirements, including pay transparency, wage and hour, and public-company or pre-IPO standards as applicable
• Oversee benefits strategy and administration, including health, retirement, wellness, and leave programs
• Manage benefits vendors, brokers, and annual renewals with a focus on cost management and employee experience
• Establish strong governance, policies, controls, and documentation across all total rewards programs
• Lead rewards analytics, benchmarking, and reporting to support data-driven decision-making
• Work with the CPO to prepare materials for executive leadership, compensation committee, and board discussions, as needed
• Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing total rewards team (as applicable)
• Partner cross-functionally with Finance, Legal, Payroll, and IT to deliver integrated solutions and operational efficiencies
• Support workforce planning, organizational change, and M&A initiatives from a total rewards perspective

Requirements: :
• 8–12+ years of progressive experience in total rewards, compensation, or related HR disciplines
• Proven experience leading total rewards programs in a software, technology, or product-driven environment
• Deep expertise in compensation design, equity programs, and benefits strategy
• Strong business and financial acumen with the ability to balance market competitiveness, internal equity, and cost discipline
• Experience supporting executive leadership and board-level compensation discussions
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to translate data into clear recommendations
• Knowledge of relevant employment and compensation regulations
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels of the organization

Nice to Haves: :
• Experience in a high-growth, scaling, or pre-IPO environment
• Public company and/or SOX exposure
• Global compensation and benefits experience
• Experience building or scaling a total rewards function
• Familiarity with modern HRIS and compensation tools (e.g., Workday, Radford, Pave, Carta)

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.