At Northrop Grumman Australia (NGA), we’re committed to solving complex challenges that support our customers, our people and the Defence capabilities they rely on. This is a unique opportunity for an experienced Global Trade or export controls professional to bring their expertise to NGA and work across complex compliance matters supporting our Defence operations.
Based at our Fortitude Valley office, you’ll work with senior leaders, programs and suppliers, helping the business navigate complex export and import requirements in a highly regulated environment.
Your role:
As our Senior Principal Compliance Officer, you’ll be a trusted advisor to the Senior Manager Global Trade, providing practical governance frameworks across export controls, including customs and freight. With a high level of autonomy, you’ll influence how NGA manages compliance risk while helping enable our programs and broader business operations.
You’ll have the opportunity to:
- Investigate complex compliance matters and drive corrective actions.
- Strengthen Global Trade policies, procedures, training and assurance frameworks.
- Manage risk assessments, audits and compliance improvement initiatives.
- Navigate complex export/import authorisations, permits and licences.
- Support supplier export-control compliance and denied-party screening.
- Monitor regulatory changes and translate requirements into practical guidance.
- Partner with senior, technical and cross-functional stakeholders to solve complex challenges.
About you:
You’re an experienced compliance, Global Trade or legal professional who enjoys solving complex problems and translating regulatory requirements into practical business governance frameworks. You’re comfortable working independently, influencing senior stakeholders and partnering across technical and non-technical teams.
You’ll bring:
- A Bachelor’s degree in Law or another relevant field.
- Demonstrated experience interpreting and applying legislation across complex, multi-jurisdictional export-control matters.
- Experience managing permits and licences end-to-end, including complex or sensitive applications.
- Strong stakeholder engagement and influencing skills.
- Excellent written and verbal communication, with the ability to simplify complex information for different audiences.
- Strong attention to detail, sound judgement and the ability to operate effectively with minimal supervision.
- Experience across Global Trade, Customs and Freight regulatory frameworks, knowledge of DSGL, USML and CCL classifications, and 6+ years of directly related experience will be highly regarded.
You’ll also need the ability to obtain and maintain an NV1 Australian Government security clearance.
At Northrop Grumman, we do the right thing, do what we promise, commit to shared success and pioneer. You’ll have the opportunity to apply your expertise to complex challenges while helping enable the programs, suppliers and operations that support our mission.
What we offer:
Whatever your role, life stage or background, you can shape your career here in your way with highly challenging work, great colleagues and career development, plus a range of flexible benefits and working patterns.
- Professional development – further education, leadership development, professional industry memberships and unlimited access to a range of online training.
- Salary packaging including novated car leases and the option to purchase additional annual leave.
- Flexible working options, including hybrid working, 9 day fortnights, volunteer leave and varying start and finish times to suit your family needs.
- 18 weeks paid parental leave and 2 weeks paid reservist leave.
- We offer all employees access to our Health & Wellbeing program and Employee Assistance program.
- Employee Discount Program.
- Employee Recognition Program.
For more information or a confidential discussion, please contact [email protected]
As a Defence security clearance is required for this role, you must be an Australian Citizen. International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) are applicable, as such your nationality may be a factor in determining your suitability for this role. You will also need to satisfy police checks and employment screening verification
Skills Required
- Australian citizenship
- Bachelor’s degree in Law or another relevant field
- Experience interpreting and applying legislation across complex, multi-jurisdictional export-control matters
- Experience managing permits and licences end-to-end, including complex or sensitive applications
- Strong stakeholder engagement and influencing skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Strong attention to detail, sound judgement, and ability to work with minimal supervision
- Ability to obtain and maintain an NV1 Australian Government security clearance
- Experience across Global Trade, Customs, and Freight regulatory frameworks
- Knowledge of DSGL, USML, and CCL classifications
- Six or more years of directly related experience
- Successful police checks and employment screening verification
Northrop Grumman Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Northrop Grumman and has not been reviewed or approved by Northrop Grumman.
-
Healthcare Strength — Health coverage offers multiple medical plan options by region alongside dental, vision, mental‑health resources, and wellness programs. Recent materials also highlight added family‑building support, including a dedicated fertility benefit.
-
Retirement Support — The 401(k) savings plan is positioned as competitive with a company match, auto‑escalation features, and access to an employee stock fund/ESPP. Official filings and benefits guides emphasize retirement as a core element of the Total Rewards package.
-
Leave & Time Off Breadth — Many sites offer a 9/80 schedule, generous PTO, paid holidays, and flexible/telework options where program needs allow. Paid parental and caregiver leave are prominently featured, with recent enhancements for the delivering parent.
Northrop Grumman Insights
What We Do
We are a close-knit community of big thinkers collaborating to keep the world safe. Our passion, creativity and expertise bring next-level technology solutions to life in autonomous systems, cyber, C4ISR, strike, space, and logistics and modernization for our customers around the globe. On the Northrop Grumman team, you’ll join our pursuit of excellence immersed in a dynamic culture of innovation and respect. Your unique perspective will help achieve our shared vision for the future of global security. Every step of the way, you'll be supported by world-class training, employee resource groups and a comprehensive benefits package that enables greater health and happiness for you and your family. Worldwide and across disciplines, we’re challenging what’s possible for technology to protect people and places from undersea to outer space and into cyberspace. And we see the impact of our performance every day. We are Northrop Grumman, and we work on what matters—now, you too can make a difference. Explore opportunities in engineering, IT, manufacturing, business management, cybersecurity and more with us. Northrop Grumman is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.
