Trade Classification Lead

To make electronics, you need chips, wafers, transistors, reticles, and... To make these, you must see, test and manufacture them at scale—faster and better than ever before. That's where KLA comes in. Whether you're early in your career or an experienced professional, you'll solve complex challenges, work alongside brilliant minds and help shape the future of technology.

Group/Division

The Legal Compliance Organization (LCO) provides legal guidance to further KLA’s strategic objectives and protect and preserve the company's legal, ethical and financial integrity and reputation. Drawing on expertise in corporate law, commercial law, employment law, ethics and compliance, and intellectual property, the LCO offers strategic legal counsel that is informed by a clear understanding of the company’s business objectives and knowledge of the laws and regulations relevant to the business worldwide.

What You'll Do

In this role, you will play a key part in advancing business priorities by delivering high-impact work across your area of expertise.

The Trade Classification Lead is responsible for ensuring products, technologies, software, and business activities comply with applicable international trade regulations, including U.S. export controls, customs regulations, sanctions programs, and global import/export requirements. This role serves as the primary technical liaison between engineering, product management, supply chain, legal, and global trade compliance teams to support product classification, licensing determinations, technology transfers, and regulatory compliance throughout the product lifecycle.
The ideal candidate combines strong technical knowledge with expertise in trade regulations and has experience working within complex manufacturing, technology, semiconductor, aerospace, telecommunications, or high-tech environments.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform technical reviews of products, software, technology, and components to determine appropriate Export Control Classification Numbers (ECCNs) and Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) classifications

• Analyze engineering specifications, bills of materials (BOMs), technical drawings, and product documentation for classification purposes.

• Partner with engineering teams to understand product functionality, technical capabilities, encryption features, and end-use applications.

• Develop and improve processes for product classifications.

• Support trade compliance with technology initiatives and system integrations.

• Partner with IT and business teams to automate classification management, compliance controls, and reporting.

• Develop and provide classification guidance and training to teams across enterprise.

• Other tasks as required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related technical discipline

• 5+ years of experience in trade compliance, export controls, customs compliance, or regulatory engineering roles.

• Experience interpreting technical product specifications and engineering documentation.

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and documentation skills.

• Strong knowledge of export control and customs regulations.

• Experience with SAP GTS, Oracle GTM, MIC Customs Solutions, OCR Services, Descartes, or Other global trade management systems

• Licensed Professional Engineer (PE) or advanced technical degree.

• Experience supporting global multinational organizations.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelors degree plus 12 years' experience; or Masters degree plus 8 years' experience; or PhD plus 5 years' experience

About KLA

We provide advanced inspection tools, metrology systems, process solutions, and computational analytics that make electronics possible, tackling complex challenges. From electron and photon optics to machine learning and data analytics, we seek perfection at the most fundamental level of matter in the universe. If you want to make electronics that push industries forward and make the world a better place, join us.

Total Rewards

Base Pay Range: $120,000.00 - $176,000.00 Annually Primary Location: USA-MI-Ann Arbor-KLA

KLA’s total rewards package for employees may also include participation in performance incentive programs and eligibility for additional benefits including but not limited to: medical, dental, vision, life, and other voluntary benefits, 401(K) including company matching, employee stock purchase program (ESPP), student debt assistance, tuition reimbursement program, development and career growth opportunities and programs, financial planning benefits, wellness benefits including an employee assistance program (EAP), paid time off and paid company holidays, and family care and bonding leave.
Interns are eligible for some of the benefits listed. Our pay ranges are determined by role, level, and location. The range displayed reflects the pay for this position in the primary location identified in this posting. Actual pay depends on several factors, including state minimum pay wage rates, location, job-related skills, experience, and relevant education level or training. We are committed to complying with all applicable federal and state minimum wage requirements where applicable. If applicable, your recruiter can share more about the specific pay range for your preferred location during the hiring process.

Use of AI Statement 

At KLA, our interviews seek to understand your individual skills, problem-solving approach and authentic thinking. To ensure a fair and consistent evaluation, the use of AI, recording tools or other technologies to generate, suggest or provide responses during interviews—whether virtual or in person—is not permitted unless explicitly approved in advance as part of a reasonable accommodation or invited by the interviewer. Use of these tools may interfere with our ability to evaluate your individual qualifications and affect your candidacy. KLA is committed to advancing innovation through responsible AI, and we value candidates who share this mindset.

Equal Opportunity Statement

KLA is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We will ensure that qualified individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us at [email protected] or at +1-408-352-2808 to request accommodation.

For additional information, view the US Know Your Rights poster on the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission website.