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