Senior Manager, Global Trade Compliance

The Senior Manager, Global Trade Compliance will be responsible for establishing, leading, and governing the company’s export compliance program, ensuring adherence to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Export Administration Regulations (EAR), U.S. government information security requirements for Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), and related U.S. government trade compliance requirements. This role will define scalable compliance frameworks that enable the company’s growth within the aerospace and defense sector while safeguarding controlled technical data, hardware, and international business activities. Acting as the organization’s primary authority on export compliance regulations and processes, this leader will drive policy development, risk management strategy, and operational execution across the enterprise.

This role will partner closely with Engineering, Production, Supply Chain, Legal, HR, Cyber Security, Executive Leadership, and the Facility Security Officer (FSO) to embed information security and export control requirements into core business processes. This position serves as a strategic advisor to leadership, balancing regulatory compliance with program execution, supporting federal contracting initiatives, and enabling compliant global collaboration while protecting sensitive technologies.

Key Responsibilities

• Own and lead the company’s export compliance program, ensuring full compliance with International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Export Administration Regulations (EAR), and related U.S. government trade requirements
• Serve as the primary export compliance authority and advisor to executive leadership, engineering, operations, and program teams on regulatory risk, licensing strategy, and compliant business execution
• Develop, implement, and continuously improve policies, procedures, and internal controls governing export classifications, technical data handling, foreign national access, and international business activities
• Ensures compliance with all registration, filing, reporting, and retention requirements (DD2345, 22 CFR 130, 22 CFR 123.22)
• Establish and oversee processes for USML and ECCN classification determinations, commodity jurisdiction analyses, and technology control planning
• Prepare, review, and manage export license applications, agreements, and regulatory correspondence with DDTC, BIS, and other U.S. government agencies
• Implement and oversee denied party screening, international partner due diligence, and supplier export risk assessments
• Provide strategic guidance to leadership on export-related risk mitigation strategies essential to international growth initiatives and international program pursuits
• Maintain export compliance records and documentation in accordance with regulatory retention requirements and industry best practices
• Coordinate with Chief Engineers and program IPT leads regarding technical details of Ursa Major activities to ensure proper technical classification
• Partner closely with the Facility Security Officer (FSO), Chief Engineers, Legal, HR, Procurement, and IT to align export compliance requirements with classified programs, CUI safeguards, and facility security protocols
• Interface with sub-contractors, suppliers, and customers on compliance requirements to manage risks as the company expands production
• Collaborate with IT and Security to ensure technical data controls meet CMMC 2.0 and NIST 800-171 standards
• Lead internal audits, risk assessments, and self-inspection activities to ensure sustained regulatory compliance and readiness for government oversight
• Lead internal investigations into potential non-compliance and oversee the preparation of Voluntary Self-Disclosures (VSDs) to DDTC or BIS when necessary
• Design and deliver scalable export compliance training programs that build awareness and accountability across the organization
• Develops an efficient, scalable compliance organization as the company grows, including mentorship of future compliance staff

Required Qualifications 

• US citizenship and Secret clearance eligibility (active Secret clearance and TS/SCI clearance eligibility preferred)
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, International Trade, Legal Studies, or related discipline (or equivalent combination of education and experience)
• 10+ years of experience in export compliance, trade compliance, or regulatory compliance within aerospace, defense, manufacturing, or a similarly regulated environment
• Knowledge of the United States Munitions List (USML, 22 CFR 121) and the Commerce Control List categories (specific knowledge of USML categories IV, V, and XV and CCL category 9 desirable)
• Deep working knowledge of ITAR (22 CFR Parts 120–130 except for Part 121) and EAR (15 CFR Parts 730–774), including export classifications, licensing strategies, waivers, exemptions, and technology transfer controls
• Demonstrated experience leading or building export compliance programs and governance frameworks
• Proven ability to influence senior leadership and collaborate cross-functionally across engineering, operations, supply chain, and security teams
• Strong analytical, communication, and policy development skills
• Strong leadership presence with the ability to operate both strategically and tactically in a fast-paced environment

Preferred Qualifications 

• Experience supporting a cleared defense contractor environment and partnering closely with a Facility Security Officer (FSO)
• Experience establishing and maintaining an ITAR/export compliance program that adheres to DDTC compliance program guidelines and that addresses the DDTC ITAR Risk Matrix
• Familiarity with NISPOM and federal contracting environments
• Certified Export Compliance Officer (CECO), Certified Global Business Professional (CGBP), or similar trade compliance certification
• Prior experience scaling compliance programs in a high-growth aerospace and defense organization
• Experience implementing export compliance software, denied party screening tools, or automated licensing workflows
• Proven track record of implementing compliance by design and integrating controls into PLM, ERP, or CRM systems to minimize friction in the engineering and sales lifecycles

Colorado law requires us to tell you the base compensation range of this role, which is $145,000 - $185,000, determined by your education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities. What we can’t quantify for you are the exciting challenges, supportive team, and amazing culture we enjoy. Click here for more information about our awesome benefits.

Classification: Full-time, Exempt