We are seeking a highly experienced Senior Import Compliance Manager, to support our global import operations, customs compliance activities, and duty savings initiatives across aerospace programs and supply chains. If you enjoy working in a fast-paced startup environment and are passionate about import compliance within a growing aerospace company, we would like to hear from you.
In this role, you will serve as a subject matter expert on U.S. import regulations, including U.S. Customs regulations, Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) classification, Section 301 and Section 232 tariffs, Free Trade Agreements, and related trade laws. This position provides strategic guidance and oversight on complex compliance matters across aerospace and defense programs.
The Senior Manager, Import Compliance will partner closely with leadership, Supply Chain, Engineering, Procurement, Finance, Shipping/Logistics teams, external freight forwarders, customs brokers, and regulatory agencies to ensure the company maintains robust import compliance practices while supporting business objectives in global markets. This role will also work closely with CesiumAstro’s international branches to support regional import compliance requirements, trade regulations, and operational best practices.
This role is instrumental in building and scaling import compliance programs, driving operational excellence, mitigating risk, and identifying cost savings opportunities across the business.
JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Lead and manage the company’s import compliance program across aerospace and global supply chain operations.
- Develop, implement, and maintain import compliance procedures, work instructions, internal controls, and governance frameworks.
- Establish scalable import processes and provide operational oversight for import activities.
- Train and support shipping and logistics teams on compliant import practices and documentation requirements.
- Serve as the company’s internal subject matter expert on customs compliance and import regulations.
- Partner with international branches to support regional import compliance requirements and promote standardized global trade compliance practices.
- Lead customs duty mitigation initiatives and aerospace-related tariff exemption strategies, including:
- HTS classification and tariff engineering
- Section 301, Section 232, and IEEPA mitigation opportunities
- USMCA and other Free Trade Agreements
- Temporary importation and repair/return programs (e.g., 9801, 9802, TIB)
- Drawback and other customs recovery programs
- Provide strategic guidance on import declarations, country of origin, customs valuation, and preferential trade claims.
- Review and validate HTS classifications and special tariff provisions applicable to aerospace products and components.
- Partner with internal stakeholders to identify opportunities for duty savings, process improvements, and risk reduction.
- Support audits, broker management activities, disclosures, protests, post-entry corrections, and government inquiries related to customs compliance.
- Monitor regulatory and tariff changes impacting aerospace imports and communicate business impacts and recommendations to leadership.
- Collaborate with customs brokers, freight forwarders, government agencies, and international teams to ensure compliant and efficient import operations.
- Support implementation and optimization of trade compliance processes and systems.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives through data analysis, reporting, and operational metrics.
- Develop training materials and deliver compliance training to cross-functional teams.
JOB REQUIREMENTS AND MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, International Trade, Logistics, Legal Studies, or related field; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- A Bachelor's Degree and minimum 8 years of relevant experience; or an Advanced Degree in a related field and minimum 5 years of relevant experience.
- 5+ years of experience in import customs compliance, global trade, or international logistics.
- Licensed Customs Broker (LCB) certification required.
- Strong knowledge of U.S. Customs regulations and import processes, HTS classification and tariff application, and duty mitigation strategies and Free Trade Agreements
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret regulations and apply them operationally.
- Experience collaborating with customs brokers, freight forwarders, government agencies, and international business partners.
- Excellent communication, organizational, and stakeholder management skills.
PREFERRED EXPERIENCE
- Experience in aerospace, aviation, defense, or high-technology manufacturing industries strongly preferred.
- Knowledge of EAR/ITAR and broader import/export compliance concepts.
- Experience managing post-entry corrections, customs protests, customs audits and disclosures, and duty drawback initiatives
Skills Required
- Must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, conditional resident, asylee, refugee, or eligible to obtain required U.S. Department of State authorizations
- Licensed Customs Broker (LCB) certification
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, International Trade, Logistics, Legal Studies, or related field; or equivalent combination of education and experience (Bachelor's + 8 years OR Advanced Degree + 5 years)
- 5+ years of experience in import customs compliance, global trade, or international logistics
- Strong knowledge of U.S. Customs regulations, HTS classification, Section 301 and Section 232 tariffs, duty mitigation strategies, and Free Trade Agreements
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with ability to interpret regulations and apply operationally
- Experience collaborating with customs brokers, freight forwarders, government agencies, and international business partners
- Excellent communication, organizational, and stakeholder management skills
- Experience in aerospace, aviation, defense, or high-technology manufacturing industries
- Knowledge of EAR/ITAR and broader import/export compliance concepts
- Experience managing post-entry corrections, customs protests, customs audits and disclosures, and duty drawback initiatives
CesiumAstro Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about CesiumAstro and has not been reviewed or approved by CesiumAstro.
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Healthcare Strength — Health coverage includes medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, plus FSAs and mental health benefits. Feedback suggests the health package is comprehensive for a growth-stage aerospace firm.
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Retirement Support — Offerings include a 401(k) with company matching and other retirement-plan elements. Feedback suggests core retirement mechanisms are in place alongside standard financial benefits.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Generous PTO, paid holidays, paid sick days, and bereavement leave are included. Feedback suggests time-off options are broad on paper across multiple leave types.
CesiumAstro Insights
What We Do
We build high-throughput, plug-and-play phased array communication payloads for space and airborne platforms. CesiumAstro’s full-stack, multi-mission hardware and software products enable a diverse range of commercial and defense objectives. Full-system engineering design is at the heart of every CesiumAstro product. We deliver high-performance solutions under rapid development timelines.
Why Work With Us
At CesiumAstro, we’re a team. We’re passionate, respectful, and determined colleagues ready to help at a moment’s notice. We’re mentors excited to enable our peers with the knowledge they need to succeed. Together, we’re visionaries committing to building memories that will last a lifetime.
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