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Last month we highlighted some of the amazing engineers building the Merlin Pilot. Today is International Women’s Day, and what better way to celebrate than to introduce you to some of the talented women making a difference in aviation through their work at Merlin. As Juliane describes it, Merlin has a strong group of “switched-on, talented, fun ladies working in all disciplines, and the highest female ratio in engineering [in Juliane’s work history].”
Juliane Blank
Certification Design Engineer
Merlin
What brought you to Merlin?
While on Maternity leave, I was randomly browsing LinkedIn and came across a job description posted by a former manager of mine, who had moved on to Merlin; I decided to look into Merlin’s mission right then and there. As my professional background to date was design engineering and certification work for modifications and repairs on 20-something-year-old aircraft such as BK117 helicopters and B737 freighters, I immediately got excited by the opportunity to work on the innovative, cutting-edge technology that Merlin is building. With the New Zealand headquarters located in the beautiful Far North of New Zealand where I already lived at the time, this job was a one-in-a-million find for me.
What’s the best part of your job?
I really enjoy the ability to take responsibility for important engineering aspects that bring the Merlin Pilot to life, namely structural integration, and to contribute to authoring the technical data for the Merlin Pilot that will be utilized by operational and maintenance staff for generations to come. Working with so many experts in their respective fields also allows me to go beyond my comfort zone and learn something new every day.
What’s the best advice you have for someone interested in joining Merlin?
Merlin shares a lot about its mission and successes on LinkedIn. Giving us a follow is a great resource that will provide more insight into what we are all about. As we are a rapidly growing company that is at the forefront of certified autonomous flight, I encourage everyone interested to keep browsing the Merlin website for the latest job offers. And then, apply for the job that gets you excited.
What activities do you enjoy outside of the work zone?
I used to be a competitive volleyball player which I thoroughly enjoyed given the opportunity to tap into some girl power and sisterhood. Ever since, I have found my love for functional fitness which, interestingly enough, is female-dominated in my area. New Zealand also offers a plethora of opportunities to explore the great outdoors which I aim to show to my daughter whenever I can.
Sarah Siegel
HRBP Director
Merlin
What brought you to Merlin?
Merlin is an exciting place to learn about a transformative industry, especially given I don’t have an aviation background! Even with my time at Merlin quickly approaching one year, I am still learning new things about airplanes, flying, robotics, aviation policy, and more almost daily. I also really like the stage and size that Merlin is at, it’s an exciting time where you can build new processes and new experiences, but you’re not starting from scratch. An even bigger plus was the opportunity to be part of a great people team!
What’s the best part of your job?
The best part of my job is interacting with and building relationships across the company. I love that my day takes me across teams and projects to be a partner to the entire organization.
What’s the best advice you have for someone interested in joining Merlin?
Reach out! As a small and growing business, we’re really intentional about hiring but we love having interested folks with relevant experience in our network who are proactive!
What activities do you enjoy outside of the work zone?
When I’m not chasing after my two-year-old I love reading, baking, and trying new restaurants with my husband.
Eugenia Anane-Wae
Software Engineer
Merlin
What brought you to Merlin?
I was inspired by Merlin’s goal to create the first certified autonomous pilot, and I was excited to be a part of this important mission in aviation history.
What’s the best part of your job?
The best thing about being a software engineer at Merlin is that I get to be a versatile engineer since we are a smaller company. Additionally, I have the opportunity to collaborate with highly intelligent individuals who bring significant technical expertise from various industries to ensure optimal technical outcomes for the Merlin Pilot.
What’s the best advice you have for someone interested in joining Merlin?
Do it! We are a small, but highly capable organization that is committed to finding solutions to some of the most challenging problems in autonomy and aviation.
What activities do you enjoy outside of the work zone?
In my free time, I enjoy being outdoors, playing tennis, and traveling.
Ashley Ferguson
Vice President of Business Operations
Merlin
What brought you to Merlin?
I’ve always been a mission-driven person and I wasn’t sure I would find a job as rewarding as the one I had while serving in our military once I separated from service. When I learned about the work Merlin was doing, I knew it was a rare opportunity to combine my love for aviation with the passion I have to innovate and really be part of something that could change how we think about flight operations.
What’s the best part of your job?
The best part of my job in operations is that there are new challenges every day. I get to exercise my problem-solving muscles and work with folks all across the Merlin team.
What’s the best advice you have for someone interested in joining Merlin?
The folks we have at Merlin have a true passion for revolutionizing the way we think about aviation. If you’re interested in working here, find a way to showcase your ability to think in creative and innovative ways to achieve and design something that no one else has been able to do. We also pride ourselves on employing really well-rounded people who are kind, inclusive, and helpful so be sure that those traits shine through in your application and during your interview!
What activities do you enjoy outside of the work zone?
Spending time with my family! I have a 5-month old at home and was so fortunate to enjoy a super generous maternity leave period with my husband and son. I am also a volunteer coach for high school girls’ basketball in my area.
Merlin is a collaborative, respectful, and fun workplace overall, a place where everyone is supported and encouraged to thrive. In addition to broader team and company-wide programs, the women established a mentorship program, host group dinners, and bi-weekly informal Zoom calls, further cultivating a supportive and collaborative atmosphere among the women at Merlin.
If you’re excited about the future of aviation and Merlin’s mission to make a meaningful impact on the future of our skies, check out our open roles here!