Export Control Director

Cowboy Space; San Carlos (CA); On-site; USD 204,000 - 266,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity in Cowboy Space Corp.

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) retirement savings plan

Paid time off

10 paid holidays

Paid parental leave

Relocation assistance

Daily lunch in the office

Job summary

Cowboy Space in San Carlos is seeking an Export Control Director to manage and enhance its export compliance program. This highly hands-on role requires building the program from the ground up while collaborating with engineering, manufacturing, and supply chain teams. The ideal candidate will have over 8 years of experience in export compliance within the aerospace industry.

The position offers a competitive salary of $204,000 to $266,000 annually, equity in the company, and comprehensive health benefits. This is a unique opportunity to shape compliance operations in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of export compliance experience in aerospace or highly regulated environments.
• Deep expertise with ITAR and EAR regulations.
• Experience interacting with regulatory agencies like DDTC and BIS.

Responsibilities

• Own and improve Cowboy Space’s export compliance program.
• Develop and maintain policies related to export-controlled technologies.
• Conduct export compliance assessments and audits.

Skills

Export compliance experience

Knowledge of ITAR and EAR

Regulatory expertise

Communication skills

Analytical skills

Operational rigor

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Certifications in export compliance

Job description

About the Role

The Export Control Director at Cowboy Space Corporation will operationally own export compliance across the company. This role is responsible for building, implementing, and scaling Cowboy Space’s export compliance program while enabling rapid execution across engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, mission operations, business development, and corporate functions. This is Cowboy Space’s first dedicated export compliance hire. You will build the program from the ground up, establishing foundational infrastructure, tools, processes and culture.

Reporting to the COO/CLO, this individual will serve as the company’s primary subject matter expert on export control regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Export Administration Regulations (EAR). The role will partner closely with engineers, technical leaders, and executives to ensure export compliance requirements are integrated into day-to-day operations while supporting the company’s growth and mission objectives.

This is a highly hands‑on role that combines regulatory expertise, operational rigor, risk management, and business partnership. The ideal candidate enjoys building compliance infrastructure, translating complex regulations into practical guidance, and working directly with highly technical teams in a fast-moving aerospace environment.

This role can be located in San Carlos or Seattle.

Key Responsibilities

Export Compliance Program Leadership

• Own and continuously improve Cowboy Space’s export compliance program
• Develop, implement, and maintain policies, procedures, and internal controls related to export‑controlled technologies, technical data, software, hardware, and services
• Establish scalable compliance processes that support company growth while maintaining regulatory compliance
• Serve as the primary internal resource for export control guidance, interpretation, and decision‑making
• Monitor regulatory developments and assess impacts across engineering, operations, supply chain, and business activities
• Build foundational compliance infrastructure capable of scaling alongside the company’s technical and operational growth

Classification, Licensing & Regulatory Compliance

• Lead export jurisdiction and classification determinations under ITAR, EAR and OFAC regulations
• Prepare, submit, and manage export license applications, agreements, exemptions, and related filings
• Maintain records and documentation required under applicable export regulations
• Support company registration, reporting, and compliance obligations with relevant government agencies
• Partner with external counsel and regulatory agencies (DDTC, BIS and OFAC) regarding licensing, compliance matters and policy interpretation
• Review products, software, technical data, and business activities to ensure appropriate export classifications and controls are maintained

Engineering & Operational Partnership

• Partner closely with engineering, manufacturing, mission management, software, and supply chain teams to assess export control requirements throughout the product lifecycle
• Review technical data, hardware, software, customer engagements, and business activities for export control implications
• Develop and implement Technology Control Plans (TCPs) and related access control processes
• Support technical exchanges, demonstrations, international collaborations, and customer interactions involving export‑controlled information
• Evaluate deemed export considerations, foreign national access requests, and international travel activities
• Provide practical guidance that balances regulatory compliance with operational execution

Compliance Operations & Risk Management

• Conduct export compliance assessments, audits, and process reviews
• Own and operate the company’s denied party and sanctions screening program, including screening of customers, vendors, partners, employees and foreign nationals against OFAC SDN, BIS Entity List, DDTC Debarred Parties and other applicable restricted party lists
• Identify compliance risks and develop corrective action plans and mitigation strategies
• Lead investigations involving potential export compliance concerns and support voluntary disclosures when necessary
• Develop compliance reporting, metrics, and documentation for leadership visibility
• Maintain compliance records and audit readiness across the organization
• Partner with People Operations regarding hiring, onboarding, workforce planning, and foreign national access requirements

Training & Awareness

• Develop and deliver export compliance training programs across the organization
• Build awareness of export control obligations among employees, managers, and executives
• Create practical guidance materials, documentation, and resources to support compliance in day‑to‑day operations
• Foster a culture of compliance that enables innovation while maintaining regulatory integrity
• Serve as a trusted advisor to leaders navigating export control considerations in business and technical decision‑making

Basic Qualifications

• 8+ years of export compliance experience in aerospace, defense, satellite, manufacturing, government contracting, or other highly regulated technology environments
• Deep expertise with International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Export Administration Regulations (EAR)
• Experience interacting directly with DDTC, BIS, OFAC, and related regulatory agencies
• Experience performing export classifications and managing export licensing activities
• Experience developing, implementing, and scaling export compliance programs, policies, and procedures
• Experience partnering directly with engineering and technical organizations
• Experience managing denied party and sanctions screening programs
• Strong understanding of deemed exports, technical data controls, foreign national access requirements, and technology transfer regulations
• Experience conducting compliance assessments, investigations, audits, and corrective action activities
• Strong operational and analytical skills with the ability to translate regulatory requirements into practical business solutions
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate credibly with engineers, executives, regulators, and external partners
• Experience operating in ambiguous environments with evolving requirements
• High ownership mindset and bias toward action

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting satellite, space, launch vehicle, defense, communications, or dual‑use technology programs
• Experience building or scaling an export compliance program in a startup or high‑growth environment
• Experience with TAAs, MLAs and other license agreement types under ITAR Part 124/125
• Familiarity with MTCR and multilateral export control regimes
• EMPCA, ITAR compliance certification or equivalent preferred
• Experience developing and administering Technology Control Plans (TCPs)
• Familiarity with NISPOM, classified programs, or government security requirements
• Startup experience (Seed–Series C) strongly preferred
• JD, advanced degree, or relevant export compliance certification preferred

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range for this position is $204,000 – $266,000 annually. The actual base salary offered will depend on factors such as job‑related skills, experience, qualifications, and internal equity.

• Equity in Cowboy Space Corp.
• Employees and their eligible dependents may enroll in medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) retirement savings plan
• Paid time off
• 10 paid holidays per calendar year
• Paid parental leave
• Relocation assistance if applicable
• Daily lunch in the office and a fully stocked kitchen with beverages and snacks

ITAR Requirements

• Export Control Requirement: To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), applicants must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Disclaimer

Cowboy Space Corp. is an equal employment opportunity employer. We consider individuals for employment or promotion according to their skills, abilities and experience. Cowboy Space Corp. is committed to complying with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, religious creed, age, national origin, ancestry, physical, mental or developmental disability, sex (which includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and medical conditions relating to pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding), veteran status, military status, marital or registered domestic partnership status, medical condition (including cancer or genetic characteristics), genetic information, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, as well as any other category protected by federal, state or local laws.