Senior Immigration Lawyer & Registered Migration Agent

Playfair; Brisbane; On-site; AUD 170,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexibility in work arrangements

Professional development opportunities

Health & wellbeing programs

Employee recognition programs

Job summary

Northrop Grumman Australia (NGA) seeks a Senior Principal Compliance Officer to lead export controls governance, risk assessment and policy development in a Defence‑oriented, highly regulated environment.

You will work with senior leaders to translate regulatory requirements into practical business governance across customs and freight, with autonomy to drive improvements across NGA’s compliance program.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Law or related field is required.
• Experience interpreting legislation across multi‑jurisdictional export‑control matters.
• End‑to‑end permits/licences management, including complex applications.
• Strong stakeholder engagement, communication, and influence skills.
• Ability to obtain and maintain an NV1 Australian Government security clearance.
• Experience with Global Trade, Customs and Freight frameworks (DSGL/USML/CCL is a plus).

Responsibilities

• Advise senior leaders on export controls governance and compliance.
• Navigate export/import authorisations, permits and licences end‑to‑end.
• Lead risk assessments, audits and compliance improvement initiatives.
• Develop and strengthen Global Trade policies and training.
• Collaborate with senior, technical and cross‑functional teams to solve complex challenges.
• Monitor regulatory changes and translate requirements into practical guidance.

Skills

Stakeholder engagement

Regulatory interpretation

Export controls knowledge

Governance frameworks

Risk assessments & audits

Cross-functional collaboration

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's degree in Law or relevant field

Job description

Senior Principal Compliance Officer

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.
• Ability to obtain and maintain an NV1 Australian Government security clearance.

Eligibility & Compliance

Australian citizenship required for this position: Yes

Relocation assistance: No relocation assistance available

Clearance type: AU-Secret (NV1)

Travel: Yes, 10% of the Time

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.

What We Offer

• 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.
• 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.

Job Category: Legal and Regulatory