Export Compliance Manager

Job Description

Position Summary

Our client is seeking an experienced Export Compliance Manager with the credentials and judgment to be designated as an Empowered Official under 22 CFR 120.25 and to assume ownership of the company's ITAR/EAR export compliance program. This is not a support role: the successful candidate will be positioned to independently sign and certify license applications, agreements, and related submissions on the company's behalf, and to serve as principal point of accountability to DDTC and other U.S. Government agencies on export licensing and compliance matters. The role manages license applications, technical assistance agreements, and manufacturing license agreements; oversees restricted-party screening and record keeping; makes classification determinations; and ensures compliant execution of FMS and Direct Commercial Sales (DCS) contracts across multiple concurrent international programs. The ideal candidate has already held Empowered Official authority at a prior company, or has the depth of independent judgment, regulatory command, and DDTC standing required to be designated into that role.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as, or be designated into, the organization’s Empowered Official under 22 CFR 120.25, holding independent authority and accountability for the company's ITAR compliance posture.
  
• Personally review, certify, and sign license applications, agreements, and related DDTC submissions, exercising independent judgment as to legal sufficiency and compliance rather than routing signature authority through others.
  
• Prepare, submit, and track DSP-5, DSP-73, DSP-83, and related license applications, along with Technical Assistance Agreements (TAAs) and Manufacturing License Agreements (MLAs), through DDTC's DECCS system.
  
• Serve as primary point of contact and accountable authority to DDTC, BIS, and other U.S. Government agencies on licensing and compliance matters.
  
• Draft and maintain Commodity Jurisdiction and Classification Determination requests and records for company platforms, subsystems, and technical data.
  
• Support structuring and compliance execution of Foreign Military Sales (FMS) cases and Direct Commercial Sales (DCS) contracts, including coordination with DSCA, program offices, and foreign end-users.
  
• Coordinate export logistics for international shipments, including preparation and review of shipping documentation, commercial invoices, and consignee/end-user verification against active licenses and authorizations.
  
• Conduct and document restricted-party screening for customers, partners, and transaction counterparties; maintain screening certificates and audit trails.
  
• Develop, maintain, and update Standard Operating Procedures, compliance forms, and the company Export Compliance Manual in coordination with the Empowered Official.
  
• Draft and negotiate export-control provisions in international agreements, including co-production and technology transfer arrangements, teaming agreements, and non-disclosure agreements.
  
• Support internal training on ITAR/EAR requirements for engineering, program management, and business development staff.
  
• Monitor changes to ITAR, EAR, and related U.S. export control regulations and advise leadership on program impact.
  
• Own voluntary self-disclosures, government inquiries, and internal compliance audits, exercising the independent judgment required of an Empowered Official.
  

Requirements

Required Qualifications

• 8-10 years of progressive experience in U.S. export compliance within the defense or aerospace industry.
  
• Direct prior experience serving as a company's designated Empowered Official under 22 CFR 120.25, with demonstrated independent signature authority on license applications and agreements — required, not preferred.
  
• Demonstrated, hands-on experience with DDTC registration, licensing systems (DECCS), and license application development (DSP-5, DSP-73, DSP-83, TAAs, MLAs).
  
• Working knowledge of Foreign Military Sales (FMS) case structuring and Direct Commercial Sales (DCS) contract compliance requirements.
  
• Experience coordinating export logistics, including shipping documentation, freight forwarder coordination, and end-use/end-user verification.
  
• Strong working knowledge of ITAR (22 CFR 120-130) and familiarity with EAR (15 CFR 730-774).
  
• Experience drafting and maintaining export compliance SOPs, manuals, and record keeping systems.
  
• U.S. Person status as defined under ITAR.
  
• Excellent written communication skills, with experience producing board- and government-ready compliance documentation.
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting maritime, unmanned systems, or naval platform programs.
  
• Experience with co-production, technology transfer, or licensed manufacturing arrangements with foreign partners.
  
• Familiarity with Taiwan, Indo-Pacific, or allied-nation defense procurement frameworks.
  
• Paralegal, JD, or other relevant legal/compliance credential.
  
• Active or prior U.S. Government security clearance.
  
• Experience supporting restricted-party screening tools and export management software.
  

Requirements
Required Qualifications 8-10 years of progressive experience in U.S. export compliance within the defense or aerospace industry. Direct prior experience serving as a company's designated Empowered Official under 22 CFR 120.25, with demonstrated independent signature authority on license applications and agreements — required, not preferred. Demonstrated, hands-on experience with DDTC registration, licensing systems (DECCS), and license application development (DSP-5, DSP-73, DSP-83, TAAs, MLAs). Working knowledge of Foreign Military Sales (FMS) case structuring and Direct Commercial Sales (DCS) contract compliance requirements. Experience coordinating export logistics, including shipping documentation, freight forwarder coordination, and end-use/end-user verification. Strong working knowledge of ITAR (22 CFR 120-130) and familiarity with EAR (15 CFR 730-774). Experience drafting and maintaining export compliance SOPs, manuals, and record keeping systems. U.S. Person status as defined under ITAR. Excellent written communication skills, with experience producing board- and government-ready compliance documentation. Preferred Qualifications Experience supporting maritime, unmanned systems, or naval platform programs. Experience with co-production, technology transfer, or licensed manufacturing arrangements with foreign partners. Familiarity with Taiwan, Indo-Pacific, or allied-nation defense procurement frameworks. Paralegal, JD, or other relevant legal/compliance credential. Active or prior U.S. Government security clearance. Experience supporting restricted-party screening tools and export management software.