Compliance Manager
About Us We are a stealth-mode Aerospace & Defense startup headquartered in El Segundo, CA. Our founding team hails from SpaceX, Anduril, and Lockheed Martin, and we are backed by Joint Staff-level military leadership and top-tier Silicon Valley rms. We're assembling a high-agency team committed to moving fast, solving hard problems, and defending what matters most. With a world-class business development & leadership team already in place, we are well positioned to capitalize on already overwhelming demand.
We're looking for our first Compliance Manager to build the foundations of our compliance and certifications programs. You will lead all aspects of compliance setup as we transition from R&D to government contracting. You'll design and implement the company's frameworks for FAR / DFARS, CMMC, ITAR / EAR, and related regulatory domains. This is a rare opportunity to shape a compliance culture from the ground up setting the policies, certifications, and systems that will support rapid growth and government trust. This is a full-time, on-site role that combines strategic oversight with day-to-day technical execution.
Key Responsibilities
Compliance Program Development
- Develop and implement internal policies and procedures to ensure compliance with FAR, DFARS, ITAR, EAR, and CMMC 2.0 requirements.
- Lead internal readiness assessments and remediation for CMMC Level 2 and NIST SP 800-171.
- Establish document control, access management, and internal audit systems aligned with government standards.
Export Control & FMS Readiness
Prepare and submit DDTC registration (ITAR Part 122) and manage export licensing processes.Classify products and technology under USML or ECCN categories.Develop and maintain Technology Control Plans (TCPs) and Visitor Control Procedures.Coordinate with outside counsel and FMS stakeholders to ensure compliance with U.S. export regulations.Contract & Regulatory Compliance
Review government solicitations (RFIs, RFPs, RFQs) for applicable FAR / DFARS clauses.Support the drafting of compliance sections in proposals and subcontract agreements.Ensure company practices align with Cost Accounting Standards, Procurement Integrity Act, and DoD ethics rules.Training & Awareness
Conduct employee training on ethics, cybersecurity, export controls, and data protection.Create compliance awareness materials and onboarding modules for new hires.Audit & Risk Management
Serve as point of contact for compliance audits and DoD assessments.Maintain evidence repositories and lead corrective action planning.Coordinate with IT / security teams to sustain continuous compliance monitoring.Required :
610 years of experience in defense, aerospace, or government contracting complianceStrong working knowledge of FAR, DFARS, ITAR, EAR, and CMMC 2.0 / NIST SP 800-171Demonstrated experience developing or managing compliance programs from inceptionExcellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to draft policies and present to executivesU.S. citizen eligible for Secret clearancePreferred :
Active Secret clearanceExperience in a startup or high-growth small business environmentPrior registration or licensing experience with DDTC or BISCMMC Certified Professional (CCP), CCEP, CISSP, or DAWIA Level II / III certificationFamiliarity with DCMA, DCSA, or FOCI mitigation proceduresBackground in cybersecurity or systems engineering a plusWhy Join Us
You'll be the architect of our compliance infrastructure not just maintaining systems, but designing them.You'll work directly with leadership to prepare for DoD and FMS engagements.You'll gain visibility across engineering, operations, and business development as a trusted advisor.