Trade Compliance Specialist

Leonardo UK Ltd; City of Edinburgh; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading aerospace and defense firm is seeking a Trade Compliance Specialist in Edinburgh. The ideal candidate will be experienced in US export controls and UK Export Licensing. Key responsibilities include managing export compliance and advising on trade laws. This role offers hybrid working and a comprehensive benefits package including generous leave and a strong pension scheme. If you are passionate about compliance in the aerospace sector, apply now.

Benefits

Generous leave and flexi-days

Award-winning pension scheme

Access to mental health support

Bonus scheme

4,000+ online courses

Flexible hours and hybrid options

Up to £500 on flexible benefits

Qualifications

• Experience in export control/trade compliance practitioner required.
• Good understanding of trade compliance considerations, ideally in aerospace and defense.

Responsibilities

• Support management aspects of UK Export Control and Trade Compliance.
• Prepare UK export licensing applications and compliance for items.
• Advise project teams on UK and international export control requirements.

Skills

Detailed knowledge of UK Export Licensing

Good working knowledge of foreign import/export regulations

Good all-round computer literacy including Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Description

Your Impact

Are you a Trade Compliance professional, with experience in US export controls, ITAR and UK Export Licencing and looking for a new career path in an exciting and dynamic company that has so much to offer? If this peaks your interest, then keep reading.

In this role, you will work within our Trade compliance department to support the management aspects relating to UK Export Control and Trade Compliance. As a Trade Compliance Specialist, you’ll work as part of a team who provide a business support service including; advice and guidance to Leonardo's Edinburgh business operations and functions, to ensure the business remains compliant with UK and other relevant trade control laws and regulations.

As a Trade Compliance Specialist you will also:

• Support and maintain accurate and compliant records in line with HMRC and DBT regulations for imports and exports
• Support and prepare UK export licensing applications and compliance for items equipment, software, and technology
• Support and prepare foreign licensing requirements including US ITAR and US EAR / German BAFA etc
• Advise project teams on UK and international export control requirements
• Submit and track MOD Form 680s and liaise with UK MoD for approvals
• Classify goods items, software, and technology under UK Export Control regulations
• Support internal and external audits on export and trade compliance
• Provide export clearance documentation and ensure via SAP systems

This is a hybrid working role, you will need to attend our Edinburgh/Newcastle site 1-2 times a week. There may also be a requirement for some national travel as well.

What you’ll bring

For this role we will be looking for:

• Experience in export control/trade compliance practitioner with - Detailed knowledge of UK Export Licencing, including Trade Controls - Good working knowledge of foreign import / export regulations, particularly EU Member States and the US ITAR and US EAR, including US ITAR Agreements and General Correspondence / Retransfer requests under US and other export control regulations - Good working knowledge of UK/EU Customs regulations.
• Good all round computer literacy including Microsoft Office applications
• Ideally good understanding of trade compliance considerations for international support programmes within the aerospace, defence and security sector but not essential

Why join us

At Leonardo, our people are at the heart of everything we do. We offer a comprehensive, company-funded benefits package that supports your wellbeing, career development, and work–life balance. Whether you're looking to grow professionally, care for your health, or plan for the future, we’re here to help you thrive.

• Time to Recharge: Enjoy generous leave with the opportunity to accrue up to 12 additional flexi-days each year.
• Secure your Future: Benefit from our award-winning pension scheme with up to 15% employer contribution.
• Your Wellbeing Matters: Free access to mental health support, financial advice, and employee-led networks championing inclusion and diversity (Enable, Pride, Equalise, Armed Forces, Carers, Wellbeing and Ethnicity).
• Rewarding Performance: All employees at management level and below are eligible for our bonus scheme.
• Never Stop Learning: Free access to 4,000+ online courses via Coursera and LinkedIn Learning.
• Refer a friend: Receive a financial reward through our referral programme.
• Tailored Perks: Spend up to £500 annually on flexible benefits including private healthcare, dental, family cover, tech & lifestyle discounts, gym memberships and more.
• Flexible working: Flexible hours with hybrid working options. For part time opportunities, please talk to us about what might be possible for this role.

For a full list of our company benefits please visit our website.

Leonardo is a global leader in Aerospace, Defence, and Security. Headquartered in Italy, we employ over 53,000 people worldwide including 8,500 across 9 sites in the UK. Our employees are not just part of a team—they are key contributors to shaping innovation, advancing technology, and enhancing global safety.

At Leonardo we are committed to building an inclusive, accessible, and welcoming workplace. We believe that a diverse workforce sparks creativity, drives innovation, and leads to better outcomes for our people and our customers. If you have any accessibility requirements to support you during the recruitment process, just let us know.

Be part of something bigger - apply now!

Primary Location: GB - Edinburgh

Contract Type: Permanent

Hybrid Working: Hybrid