---
title: 'CFD / Aero Engineer at Whisper Aero'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/cfd-aero-engineer-whisper-aero-nashville-or-crossville-j1hsjky4a8ke'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-10-28'
---

# CFD / Aero Engineer at Whisper Aero

- **Company:** Whisper Aero
- **Location:** Nashville OR Crossville, TN
- **Posted:** 2026-10-21
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-10-28
- **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/whisperaero/jobs/5459822008

## Job description

Our Company

Whisper Aero is pioneering a more compelling and connected future by delivering cleaner, quieter, and more efficient propulsion solutions. Today's open rotor propulsion systems are challenged by safety, noise, and performance limitations at all scales. Whisper's breakthrough technologies allow aircraft to fly anywhere at any time without disturbing communities, at greater speeds, and with incredible improvements in efficiency and cost. Their innovations also enable a new generation of air moving products that can blend into the soundscapes of daily life. Whisper was founded by industry veterans, Mark Moore and Ian Villa, and continues to innovate a future that’s as considerate as it is compelling with its world-class team in Tennessee.

## About the Role

Whisper Aero is seeking a diligent, creative and hardworking Aerodynamics Engineer familiar with commercial CFD codes to assist with the design and analysis of advanced electric propulsion systems and their integration with novel advanced airframes. This role will be focused on CFD analysis of components, propulsors and aeropropulsive trades in terms of airframe integration. It will involve both steady analysis for design optimization as well as transient analysis supporting acoustics, aeroelasticity and identifying and ameliorating system instabilities.   They will drive key aero, aero-structural and aeroacoustic design decisions and work closely with our Flight Sciences Lead, Flight Sciences team, Chief Engineer, and Technical Project Leads regularly. In this role you will work with the team to identify high level needs for future propulsor/airframe integration, future airplane designs, address core customer requirements, provide pre-test predictions, code validation and then develop approaches/concepts/design modifications to address these needs.

## What You’ll Do

- Participate in and present during reviews, provide feedback to the design, flight sciences teams, and technical project managers.
- Use lower order aerodynamic analysis and CFD to carry out analysis of aircraft systems, flow component systems and external airframe/aerodynamic analysis.
- Perform design optimization trades involving aerodynamic performance, acoustics, heat transfer and aeroelastic response.
- Provide testing support for flight projects, study tasks & proposals.
- Provide aero engineering knowledge to project personnel and contractors through all phases of the project lifecycle.
- Develop and validate flow process methods and models needed to support novel aspects of the propulsor and aero-propulsive integration.
- Author analysis tools for designers to use in sizing new parts (scripts, spreadsheets, etc...)
- Provide support to customers for issues that arise in product integration
- Write technical reports that are accurate and comprehensive to be peer-reviewed by other team members.

## Basic Qualifications

- US Citizenship / Green Card Status
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Mathematics, Computational Sciences technical discipline with typically a minimum of 4 years of related experience; or a graduate degree Masters degree in similar disciplines with a minimum of 2 years of related experience; or PhD in similar disciplines.
- Familiarity with Aerodynamic analysis methods (Potential Flow Codes, Streamline Curvature codes etc.
- CFD experience with commercial codes like Ansys, StarCCM+
- Experience with a 3D CAD package such as Solidworks, NX, CATIA V5, or Fusion 360
- Expertise in Python programming, Matlab and Julia preferred.

Bonus Qualifications

- Experience with aeroelasticity applications either for turbomachinery or airframe applications
- Experience with force accounting for aeropropulsive applications
- Exposure to aeroacoustic methodologies
- Experience with Multidisciplinary Design Optimization methods and/or Machine Learning Surrogate Models, development of Digital Twins
- Experience with electric machines and motors, hybrid electric powertrains
- Familiarity with data management, revision and version control: Git
- Pilot experience and/or aircraft maintenance experience

The Team

Whisper Aero is propelling quiet electric technologies from ducted fans to novel flightworthy aircraft designs. Everyday, the world harnesses the power of air to make our world more productive from fans cooling large data farms, to leaf blowers cleaning our yards, to propellers driving drones, aircraft, and more. But moving air has resulted in more and more noise, interrupting the peace and tranquility we expect in our homes and communities. As the world’s cities grow denser, noise becomes an increasingly critical barrier to our growing energy, data, delivery, and transportation needs.

At Whisper Aero, we use first-principles physics to develop products that make moving air cleaner, more efficient, and quiet enough to blend into the background, transforming the soundscape of our cities forever.

Whisper is proud to be a progressive Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know.

Whisper Aero also participates in E-Verify and will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each applicant's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. Benefits:

- Top-tier Benefits: Employee-first focused comprehensive benefits package, minimum of 90% employer-paid plans for employees and dependents with optional HSA/FSA account offerings
- PTO & Federal Holidays: Starting at four weeks of paid time off for vacation, sick, and personal days
- Competitive Salary: Value-based compensation, plus enjoy Tennessee’s no-income-tax life
- End of Year Bonuses: For eligible employees
- We always have beverages and snacks available to energize you throughout the day, with paid team meals based on office demands.
- 401(k)
- Relocation Assistance
- Professional Development Stipend

Whisper Aero is proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusivity in the workplace. All aspects of employment are decided on the basis of merit, qualifications, and business needs. We do not discriminate based upon race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. Whisper Aero also participates in E-Verify and will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each applicant's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization.

## About Whisper Aero

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Whisper Aero develops ultra-quiet, scalable electric propulsion systems for drones, jets, and air-moving products, aiming to make flight cleaner and less disruptive.
- **Entity Type**: Private (Series A) – total funding $41M
- **Headquarters**: Crossville, Tennessee, USA (with a corporate office in Nashville)
- **Founded**: 2020
- **Founders**: Mark Moore (CEO) and Ian Villa (COO & CPO)

## Core Business
- **Primary industry**: Aviation and Aerospace Component Manufacturing; electric propulsion for UAVs, eVTOL, and collaborative aircraft
- **Target customers**: B2B – defense (DoD), commercial aviation, drone logistics, and potentially consumer air-mobility; also air-moving applications (fans, HVAC)
- **Mission statement**: “Deliver the next generation of cleaner, quieter, more efficient thrust for drones, jets, and more” – redefining how and where the world moves.

## Products & Services
- **UltraQuiet™ Propulsion System**: Proprietary electric ducted fan architecture delivering thrust from 5 to 500 lbs, speeds from 40 to 400 knots, and claims 20% greater efficiency than open-rotor designs. Available as the eQ160 propulsor.
- **JetFoil™ Propulsion**: A new family of ultra-quiet, ducted electric thrusters for autonomous collaborative logistics aircraft, funded by U.S. Air Force STRATFI/OECIF.
- **Custom Demonstrator Drones**: Bespoke UAV platforms used to validate first-principles quiet flight (e.g., demonstrator drone flown in 2024).

## Market Standing
- **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not disclosed (private company)
- **Key Metric**: Total funding – $41M across three rounds (venture round $7.5M in 2021, Series A $33M in 2023, state grant $0.5M in 2025). Estimated annual revenue: $20M per LinkedIn data (unverified).
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Capricorn Investment Group, EVE Atlas, Tennessee Department of Economic & Community Development (grant), Tennessee Tech University, U.S. Air Force (STRATFI/OECIF funding).
- **Growth Signals**:
  - Headcount grew 31.8% YoY to 67 employees (LinkedIn)
  - Opened an 8,000 sq ft Flight Test Center at Crossville Memorial Airport (funded by $1.2M state appropriation)
  - Partnered with Tennessee Tech to build a 130,000 sq ft manufacturing and testing facility (largest low-speed wind tunnel in the state)
  - Emerging from stealth at AIAA AVIATION 2023; named to Forbes 30 Under 30 (Ian Villa, 2022) and Nashville Dealmaker of the Year (2024)

## Competitive Advantages
- **UltraQuiet™ Technology**: ~20 dB quieter than conventional open-rotor propulsion, enabling flights closer to communities and quieter drone operations.
- **Efficiency & Scalability**: 20% more efficient than alternatives; thrust range from 5 to 500 lbs covers small drones to full-scale aircraft.
- **First-Principles IP**: Founded by Mark Moore, NASA pioneer of Distributed Electric Propulsion (DEP) who led the Puffin, GL-10, LeapTech, and X-57 projects – a deep technical moat.
- **Proven DoD Backing**: US Air Force STRATFI/OECIF contracts validate military interest and de-risk development.

## Strategic Focus
- Scale manufacturing and testing via the joint facility with Tennessee Tech.
- Expand from aviation into broader air-moving products (e.g., fans, HVAC) using the same quiet, efficient core technology.
- Win additional defense contracts for autonomous logistics aircraft.
- Continue refining UltraQuiet™ propulsion for commercial eVTOL and last-mile drone delivery.

## Why Work Here
- **Culture**: “Intellectual rigor, trust, and ambition” – values include “Embody Safety”, “Foster creative genius”, and “Prioritize Efficiently”. Low-ego, high-impact environment.
- **Location**: Dual presence – Crossville (rural, near Great Smoky Mountains) and Nashville (city life, music, growing tech hub). Outdoor activities accessible from both.
- **Benefits**:
  - 100% employer-paid medical, dental, vision (75% for dependents)
  - 4 weeks PTO plus federal holidays
  - Stock options for all full-time employees
  - Annual professional development stipend
  - End-of-year bonuses
  - Paid office lunches (MWF) and snacks
- **Work Environment**: Primarily on-site in Tennessee (Crossville or Nashville). No income tax. Fast-growing startup with hands-on engineering and flight testing.
- **Notable Perks**: Opportunity to work on cutting-edge electric propulsion from first principles, with direct impact on real aircraft flight.

## Sources
1. [whisper.aero](https://www.whisper.aero/) – Company overview
2. [whisper.aero/about](https://www.whisper.aero/about) – History, team, milestones
3. [whisper.aero/careers](https://www.whisper.aero/careers) – Benefits and culture
4. [LinkedIn – Whisper Aero](https://www.linkedin.com/company/whisperaero) – Employee count, funding, revenue estimates
5. [Greenhouse – Jobs at Whisper Aero](http://job-boards.greenhouse.io/whisperaero) – Current openings and company description

## Other roles at Whisper Aero

- [Systems Administrator](https://feeny.ai/job/systems-administrator-whisper-aero-nashville-or-crossville-09fywj5s72ab) — Nashville OR Crossville, TN
- [Supply Chain & Sourcing Manager](https://feeny.ai/job/supply-chain-sourcing-manager-whisper-aero-nashville-zhmprptnfpm7) — Nashville, TN
- [Structures Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/structures-engineer-whisper-aero-nashville-or-crossville-9xq21t8x3c7p) — Nashville OR Crossville, TN
- [Senior Mechanical Test Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-mechanical-test-engineer-whisper-aero-nashville-or-crossville-g9sqv95j7f7a) — Nashville OR Crossville, TN
- [Project Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/project-engineer-whisper-aero-crossville-ptxp1nkbnwtz) — Crossville, TN
- [Program Manager, High Thrust Propulsors](https://feeny.ai/job/program-manager-high-thrust-propulsors-whisper-aero-nashville-fybfzq6zey2f) — Nashville, TN