Project Engineer - Aircraft

About the Role

Whisper Aero is seeking a Project Engineer who will work with cross-functional engineering teams within Whisper to coordinate timing and execution of projects in Tennessee. In this role, you will develop and refine schedules using engineering judgement and facilitate communication.

The successful candidate will be someone with a strong background in executing multi-system aerospace projects and thrives in a fast-paced, technically challenging environment. They will have a passion for excellence and be able to clearly communicate with stakeholders, including engineers and leadership.

What You'll Do

• Lead on the CLA Light team by utilizing engineering experience and systems thinking to build project schedules, highlight critical paths, and enable rapid execution.
• Collaborate across engineering, procurement, manufacturing, assembly, ground testing, and flight testing to proactively identify dependencies, long-lead hardware, resource constraints, and risks to major program milestones.
• Engage with engineering leads to evaluate technical tradeoffs and practical paths forward when design changes, test results, or hardware availability impact program execution.
• Lead engineering team standups and translate goals into actionable tasks with owners and deadlines.
• Support the development and tracking of CLA Light system requirements, verification plans, design reviews, and program milestones. Maintain risk registers and drive mitigation plans for technical, program, and schedule risks.
• Brief leadership with clear, accurate information on aircraft development progress, critical-path activities, upcoming test milestones, and resource needs.
• Use Jira, Confluence, and other project management tools to organize engineering work, plan sprints, manage cross-team dependencies, and maintain visibility into requirements, design decisions, test activities, and program risks.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in aerospace, mechanical, electrical, or systems engineering, or a related field
• 3+ years of professional engineering experience in a test related role within the aerospace or defense industry
• Proven hands-on background with hardware development
• Proven track record defining, organizing, and tracking multi-system aerospace projects
• Proven systems level thinking across aerospace technical disciplines
• Experience applying agile methodologies in a hardware or hybrid hardware/software program environment
• Demonstrated ability to work with diverse technical teams
• Proficiency with agile project management tools such as Jira, Confluence, or equivalent for planning, tracking, and communication
• Excellent communication, writing, organizational, and teamwork skills
• A willingness to work on tasks outside your primary job functions
• Familiarity with AI tools (not just ChatGPT, Claude, or an AI notetaker).
• This position requires access to information, technology, or materials subject to U.S. export control laws. To comply with these regulations, applicants must be authorized to access export-controlled information under applicable U.S. laws and regulations.

Bonus Qualifications

• Background in R&D environments developing new aerospace technologies
• Background in aircraft design and testing
• Working knowledge of industry standards and regulatory requirements related to aircraft, engines, electric machines, and electronics
• Experience with aircraft engines or electric drivetrains
• Experience with modern requirements management software
• FAA pilot certification

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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