Senior Systems Administrator

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 a skilled and dedicated Senior Systems Administrator to join our IT team onsite in either Crossville, or Nashville, Tennessee! The ideal candidate will be responsible for deploying and managing local and cloud-based server infrastructure, storage solutions, and engineering platforms, ensuring optimal performance and security.  The candidate should have deep knowledge of Linux (we use Ubuntu) and should have a mindset of automating where capable.  As we grow, the need for proactive management and increasing efficiency is paramount.  

What You’ll Do 

• Support the needs of Whisper Aero employees and contract workers across multiple sites, including remote workers.  
• Execute the installation, configuration, and maintenance of both Windows/Linux servers, both on-premises and in the cloud, specifically configure of AWS GPU/CPU clusters for high performance computing. 
• Develop and maintain custom toolchains to enhance our operations to apply modern engineering methodologies such as container orchestration, and software-defined storage. 
• Manage and maintain repositories on GitHub and GitLab, ensuring smooth version control and collaboration, work separation to maintain US compliance regulations (NIST, CMMC). 
• Utilize your experience with Linux, particularly Debian-based operating systems, to build, scale and secure Whisper Aero environments. 
• Analyze resource utilization and develop strategies to optimize performance 
• Ensure regular backups are performed and develop recovery plans to safeguard against data loss. 
• Perform ongoing support and maintenance of all hardware, software, and network components
• Reevaluate and upgrade existing systems to maintain compliance while improving performance for Whisper Aero needs 

Required Qualifications 

• Requires US Person/work Authorization Status
• BS in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related technical discipline (or equivalent experience)
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in systems engineering or administration
• Experience deploying and managing systems in alignment with security and compliance frameworks such as SOC 2, CMMC, and NIST 800-171, with a focus on supporting Department of Defense (DoD) requirements and ensuring readiness for government contracts involving Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI)
• Experience deploying and managing cloud infrastructure (e.g., AWS) and containerized environments (Docker, Kubernetes) in corporate settings
• Administration of on-premises servers, SAN/NAS storage systems, distributed computing supporting scientific or enterprise workloads
• Proficient in both Windows and Unix/Linux operating systems
• Scripting experience in Python, Bash, or Perl, with use of automation/configuration management tools (e.g., Ansible, Puppet, Chef)
• Working knowledge of MS365 suite, including Teams and related collaboration tools
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving abilities
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects independently and align with team objectives and priorities 
• Hands-on experience with network administration and infrastructure management

Bonus Qualifications 

• Experience architecting enterprise-grade storage and networking solutions 
• Experience with centralized logging and monitoring tools (e.g., Splunk, ELK, Prometheus/Grafana)
• Exposure to identity and access management systems (e.g., Okta, Azure AD, LDAP)
• Experience performing system hardening and vulnerability remediation
• Knowledge of Zero Trust Architecture principles
• Competencies and Characteristics
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment
• Strong technical, written, and verbal communication skills
• Proactive (Be an owner)
• Flexible and open-minded to balance

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.