About the Role

Whisper Aero is seeking a detail-driven Contract Manager to join our dynamic Business Operations team. In this role, you’ll take ownership of the full contract lifecycle — from proposal through negotiation, execution, and compliance — supporting both government and commercial programs. You’ll help drive the success of new and existing agreements by ensuring that every contract aligns with Whisper’s strategic objectives, regulatory obligations, and fast-paced startup environment.

This position is ideal for a contracts professional who thrives on navigating complexity, enjoys hands-on negotiation, and can balance the rigor of aerospace compliance with the agility of an innovative company building the future of quiet, efficient propulsion.

What You’ll Do

• Manage the end-to-end contracting process for customers, suppliers, subcontractors, and government agencies
• Review, draft, and negotiate contract terms to mitigate risk, ensure compliance, and advance company goals
• Interpret and apply FAR, DFARS, and NASA FAR Supplement (NFS) requirements, ensuring Whisper remains fully compliant with all applicable regulations
• Lead the analysis of RFPs, identifying contractual, financial, and operational risks while recommending negotiation and mitigation strategies
• Advise senior management and cross-functional partners (Legal, Finance, Engineering, and Program Management) on contract structure, pricing models, and subcontracting strategies
• Negotiate and manage supporting agreements, including Team Agreements, NDAs, License Agreements, and OCI Mitigation Plans
• Support proposal development by advising which government agencies, programs, or partners to target for strategic alignment
• Maintain strong working relationships with suppliers and external stakeholders to ensure timely execution and performance of contractual obligations
• Champion continuous improvement of internal contracting processes to align with both startup efficiency and government contracting best practices

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, Law, or a related field
• Proven experience in government and commercial contract management, ideally within aerospace, defense, or advanced technology sectors
• In-depth knowledge of Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) and Defense Federal Acquisition Regulations Supplement (DFARS)
• Experience with a variety of contract types (e.g., T&M, Fixed-Price, Cost-Plus)
• Demonstrated ability to lead contract negotiations and push back on unfavorable terms while maintaining positive relationships
• Strong communication and analytical skills, capable of interpreting complex contract language and advising cross-functional teams
• U.S. Citizenship required

Bonus Qualifications

• Advanced degree (MBA, JD, or related)
• Experience with NASA FAR Supplement (NFS) and other agency-specific contracting requirements
• Knowledge of intellectual property rights, licensing agreements, and export control regulations
• Prior experience advising on proposal strategies and government agency engagement
• Background in startups or high-growth environments, balancing compliance rigor with operational agility