---
title: 'Program Manager, High Thrust Propulsors at Whisper Aero'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/program-manager-high-thrust-propulsors-whisper-aero-nashville-fybfzq6zey2f'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-10-28'
---

# Program Manager, High Thrust Propulsors at Whisper Aero

- **Company:** Whisper Aero
- **Location:** Nashville, TN
- **Posted:** 2025-10-09
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-10-28
- **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/whisperaero/jobs/4951340008

## 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 an experienced Program Manager to lead the development and integration of electric ducted fan propulsion systems for next generation of commercial and defense aircraft in Nashville, TN. In this role, you will oversee cross-functional engineering teams. You’ll drive program execution from concept through certification while meeting performance, schedule, and cost metrics.

The successful candidate will be someone with a strong aerospace background in aircraft, propulsion, or aerospace component development who thrives in a fast paced, technically challenging environment. They will be able to clearly communicate with all stakeholders including engineers, suppliers, customers, and leadership.

## What You’ll Do

- Lead program planning and execution for electric propulsion system development from concept through test and certification
- Manage scope, schedule, and budgets while ensuring alignment across the team
- Collaborate with cross-functional team to define system requirements, milestones, and risk management strategies
- Drive issue resolution and program decisions balancing technical performance, risk, and schedule
- Interface with suppliers, customers, and certification authorities to ensure compliance with aerospace standards and regulatory requirements
- Support long-term product strategy, roadmap planning, and technology maturation for future propulsion systems
- Facilitate cross-functional design reviews and program updates to internal and external stakeholders
- Interact regularly with leadership to communicate status, priorities, issues, and resource needs
- Use agile management tools to plan sprints, track progress, and maintain documentation across teams

## Basic Qualifications

- Eligibility to work in the U.S. is required, as this position may access export-controlled data
- 8+ years of experience in the aerospace industry with at least 5 years in a program management role
- Proven track record managing complex, multi-disciplinary aerospace programs (preferably involving propulsion or power systems)
- Experience defining and managing program schedules and budgets
- Experience applying agile methodologies in a hardware or hybrid hardware/software program environment
- Strong understanding of one of the following areas: aircraft propulsion, electrical power generation/distribution, or hybrid-electric architectures
- Demonstrated ability to lead diverse technical teams and manage suppliers or partners
- Proficiency with agile project management tools such as Jira, Confluence, or equivalent to plan, prioritize, track, and execute hardware and software development activities (including resource allocation and workload management)
- Experience using Jira, Confluence, or similar platforms to maintain technical documentation and design artifacts while enabling effective cross-functional communication and project execution
- Background in R&D environments developing new aerospace technologies
- Excellent communication, organizational, and leadership skills
- A willingness to work on tasks outside your primary job functions

Bonus Qualifications

- Bachelor’s degree in aerospace, mechanical, electrical, or systems engineering, or a related field
- PMP certification
- Experience with aircraft engine, electrical machine, inverter, or energy storage system development
- Experience with aircraft propulsion, inlet, or exhaust integration development
- Working knowledge of industry standards and regulatory requirements related to aircraft, engines, electric machines, or electronics
- Strong understanding of certification processes (Part 23, 25, or 33) and system safety (ARP4754A, ARP4761)
- Experience with testing of medium or high voltage power systems
- Experience with modern requirements management software

## #LI-DC1

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
- [CFD / Aero Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/cfd-aero-engineer-whisper-aero-nashville-or-crossville-j1hsjky4a8ke) — 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