Sr. Export Compliance SpecialistDepartment: Legal
Employment Type: Full Time
Location: Hawthorne, California
Reporting To: Ignacio Ramirez
Compensation: $100,000 - $160,000 / year
DescriptionThe Senior Export Compliance Specialist serves as a subject-matter expert across all dimensions of U.S. export controls and international trade sanctions and provides guidance export compliance program - from export-control classification and export license management to sanctions screening, Know Your Customer (KYC) due diligence, and risk management.
The ideal candidate brings deep, hands-on expertise in the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), and a strong working knowledge of U.S. sanctions programs.
What you'll do:- Manage export controls and sanctions compliance programs, including restricted party screening, end-use/end-user reviews, adjudication of escalations, and identification of prohibited or high-risk transactions
- Conduct customer and third-party due diligence, including KYC, enhanced due diligence for higher-risk relationships, evaluation of end-use/end-user certifications, and implementation of customer risk tiering and onboarding controls in partnership with sales, procurement, HR, programs and other teams
- Provide subject matter expertise in export jurisdiction and export classification of products, software, and technical information
- Serve as a subject matter expert on export jurisdiction and classification for products, software, and technology under U.S. export control regulations
- Prepare and submit Commodity Classification (CCATS) requests to BIS and Commodity Jurisdiction (CJ) requests to DDTC and manage related agency interactions and determinations
- Determine export licensing requirements for exports, of controlled items and technical information, including transactions involving restricted destinations and end users
- Prepare, submit, and manage export licenses through SNAP-R, including tracking license conditions, reporting obligations, usage, and renewal timelines
- Manage and monitor use of license exception and ensure compliance with associated conditions and record-keeping requirements
- Coordinate Technology Control Plans (TCPs) for controlled technology and deemed exports
- Design, maintain, and implement trade compliance policies, SOPs, and internal controls aligned with BIS, OFAC, and applicable international export control and sanctions regulations
- Monitor global export control and sanctions regulatory developments (e.g., Federal Register notices, BIS and OFAC rulemakings, Entity List updates) and assess business impact
What you'll bring:Basic Qualifications - Bachelor's degree or at least 5 years of export compliance experience, including applying the Export Administration Regulations (EAR)
- 5+ years of experience conducting export jurisdiction and classification determinations for products, software, or technology, including assigning Export Control Classification Numbers (ECCNs)
- 5+ years of experience preparing and managing export license applications and evaluating eligibility for EAR license exceptions
Preferred Qualifications - Experience conducting export jurisdiction and classification determinations for space, semiconductor, or electronics products
- Experience with export and sanctions screening programs, including reviewing and resolving potential matches against the OFAC Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) List and the Consolidated Screening List
- Experience of Know Your Customer (KYC) principles and end-user due diligence methods in an export compliance context
- Experience assessing and managing export compliance risks across global business operations
- Experience with government filing systems, including SNAP-R (BIS), AES (Automated Export System), and DECCS/D-TRADE (DDTC)
Benefits and Perks- Join a team of best-in-class engineers building the foundation of planetary surface exploration
- Equity ownership in the company
- Comprehensive health benefits, including medical, dental, vision, and mental health support
- 401(k) plan with company match
- Flexible PTO and parental leave
- Weekly lunch stipend, plus complimentary snacks and beverages on-site
- Once a month social hour on-site with food and drinks
