Human Resources Generalist

Human Resources Generalist

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.

As we scale, we're looking for an experienced HR Generalist who can wear multiple hats: someone equally comfortable rolling up their sleeves for day-to-day operations as they are shaping a high functioning and collaborative employee experience. We're looking for someone who can be in person in our Boston office 5-days a week if needed.

If you thrive in a high-growth environment and believe HR can be both strategic and human-centered, we'd love to meet you.

The Role:

• Own and optimize core HR operations from onboarding to offboarding, ensuring new hires feel welcomed, informed, and equipped from day one.
• Maintain accurate and confidential employee records, ensuring compliance with all relevant employment laws and data privacy standards.
• Leverage our HRIS (we use Rippling) to automate workflows, generate reports, and streamline administrative processes.
• Ensure handbooks, policies, and internal processes are up-to-date, compliant, and clearly communicated. Manage our internal Wiki (Confluence) to ensure it's a resource for all of Merlin.
• Be the internal expert on benefits: clearly communicate offerings, enroll employees, and troubleshoot issues.
• Craft and implement people-first programs that boost retention, morale, and employee growth.
• Be a trusted resource for employees—available to answer questions, offer guidance, or just listen.
• Gather and act on employee feedback via surveys, check-ins, or pulse programs. Analyze people metrics to guide decision-making and highlight areas for improvement.
• Support our performance review cycles, partnering with managers to ensure the process is timely, fair, and growth-focused.
• Support internal communications around culture, values, and change initiatives to ensure clarity and transparency.
• Help with job description creation, interview planning, and recruitment coordination as needed.

Qualifications:

• 5-7 years of HR generalist experience, ideally in AI, startup or tech environment.
• Solid understanding of both strategic HR practices and operational excellence.
• Experience managing benefits, payroll questions, and compliance with employment laws.
• Strong familiarity with HR tools and systems (especially Rippling).
• Exceptional communication skills—you can break down complex topics and make people feel heard.
• A high level of integrity, discretion, and empathy.
• Comfortable problem solving through ambiguity and wearing multiple hats.

This position is based on-site at Merlin HQ in Boston, MA. We offer flexible hybrid in office schedules.

We understand that relocating for a new role is a significant decision, and we're here to support you every step of the way. That's why we offer comprehensive relocation assistance to help make your transition as seamless as possible. From covering moving expenses to providing guidance on finding housing, we aim to ensure your relocation experience is stress-free.

Additionally, 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, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. 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.

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.