Senior Quality Engineer

Senior Quality Engineer

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 face safety, noise and performance challenges at all scales. Whisper’s breakthrough technologies allow aircraft to fly anywhere, anytime, without disturbing communities and at greater speeds with remarkable improvements in efficiency and cost. The company, founded by industry veterans Mark Moore and Ian Villa, continues to innovate with its world‑class team in Tennessee.

Whisper Aero is seeking a Senior Quality Engineer to lead end‑to‑end quality strategies across manufacturing operations, suppliers and engineering programs in Nashville or Crossville, Tennessee. This role partners with all aspects and disciplines of the business and works closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, Finance, Supply Chain and Operations to ensure product quality, process capability, regulatory compliance and continuous improvement. The ideal candidate has extensive experience in advanced quality and manufacturing systems, supplier quality management and regulated aerospace systems, including direct experience with AS9100D and FAA Quality System requirements per 14 CFR 21.

• Define and drive quality strategy across engineering and product development, manufacturing, and supplier operations.
• Lead manufacturing quality system development, including process validation, control plans, inspection strategies and acceptance criteria.
• Own quality execution for new product introduction (NPI), pilot builds, production readiness and implementation of the QMS for low to high‑rate production.
• Lead supplier qualification, including on‑site audits at supplier facilities, surveillance and performance management.
• Drive root cause analysis, corrective and preventive actions (RCCA/CAPA) for internal and supplier non‑conformances.
• MRB & Nonconformance:
  Lead the Material Review Board to disposition nonconforming articles while ensuring zero compromise on safety or regulatory compliance.
• Develop and track quality KPIs (yield, defect rates, Cp/Cpk, escapes) and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• Partner cross‑functionally to identify and mitigate quality, manufacturing and supply‑chain risks.
• Communicate quality performance, risks and improvement plans to senior leadership.
• Participate in cross‑functional reviews of product and system designs as the quality leader, including detail reviews of drawings and designs (DFMEA) and support the configuration control of products (Configuration Control Board).

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Aerospace, Electrical, Manufacturing or related discipline) and 10–15 years of experience in manufacturing quality engineering, supplier quality or quality systems.
• Demonstrated experience with AS9100D, APQP, PFMEA/DFMEA, SPC, MSA, RCCA/CAPA, PPAP/FAI.
• Experience leading MRB activities and production quality issue resolution.
• Strong analytical, communication and cross‑functional leadership skills.

• Direct experience working under FAA CFR Part 21 approved production and quality systems.
• Experience supporting high‑rate or highly automated manufacturing environments; ASQ certifications (CQE, CSQP) or Six Sigma Black Belt.
• Experience with complex electromechanical or aerospace assemblies; mastery of ERP, PLM, MES and quality data analytics tools.

• Top‑tier benefits: 100 % paid medical, dental and vision for employees and 75 % paid for dependents.
• Paid time off and federal holidays: starting at four weeks of vacation, sick and personal days.
• Competitive salary with value‑based compensation and Tennessee’s no‐income tax advantage.
• End‑of‑year bonuses for eligible employees.
• Unlimited beverages and snacks and 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.