Senior Trade Compliance Officer

Kratos Defense & Rocket Support Services, Inc; McPherson (MD); On-site; USD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Kratos Defense seeks a senior professional to oversee export control compliance and licensing for government programs, including ITAR/EAR mandates and FMS/DCS transactions.

You will review contracts, coordinate with U.S. government agencies, freight forwarders, and customs officers to ensure lawful shipments and robust compliance. Leadership in license agreements and policy development is expected.

Qualifications

• Possess knowledge of export controls and government regulations.
• Ability to read and interpret complex regulatory requirements.
• Experience communicating with internal teams and external agencies.

Responsibilities

• Oversee compliance with ITAR and EAR and authorize export license applications.
• Review contracts for required clauses and support compliance for FMS, DCS, and foreign funding.
• Coordinate with internal and external customers, government agencies, freight forwarders, and customs officers to ensure compliant shipments.
• Lead strategy and development of license agreements and related compliance programs.

Skills

Export control

ITAR

EAR

Regulatory compliance

Contract review

Security clearance

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

GENERAL JOB SUMMARY

Ensures legal compliance and provides import/export administration and control within government rules and regulations, including appropriate licensing for data transfers and shipments. Reviews contracts for required clauses, identifies omissions, and supports contract compliance and execution for Foreign Military Sales (FMS), Direct Commercial Sales (DCS), and other foreign funding agreements. Interfaces with internal and external customers, U.S government agencies, foreign order administration, freight forwarders, customs officers, and other functional areas to ensure coordination and logistics of shipment. Selects carrier/forwarder for shipment of products and prepares documents for freight forwarders. Leads strategy, planning, authoring, and compliance for any and all license agreements.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Serve independently as the authorized official, responsible for overseeing and ensuring the compliance with U.S. export control regulations, such as ITAR and EAR. This includes reviewing and authorizing export license applications, conducting compliance audits, maintaining accurate records, and serving as the primary point of contact for regulatory agencies. The role often involves providing guidance and training to internal teams, investigating potential violations, and implementing policies to mitigate risks. Working closely with legal, engineering, and operations teams, in facilitating lawful international trade while protecting the organization from costly compliance issues.

• Exhibits advanced wide-ranging experience, using in-depth professional knowledge, acumen, concepts and company objectives to develop, resolve complex models and procedures.
• Proactively provides solutions to issues in creative and effective ways.
• Understands the interrelationships of different disciplines.
• Directs the application of existing principles and guides development of new policies and ideas.
• Understands and works on complex issues where analysis of situations or data requires an in-depth evaluation of variable factors.
• Determines methods and procedures on new assignments.
• Exercises judgment in selecting methods, evaluating, adapting complex techniques and evaluation criteria for obtaining results.
• Work is reviewed upon completion and is consistent with departmental objectives.
• Networks with key contacts outside own area of expertise.
• Adapts style and uses persuasion in delivering messages that relate to the wider firm business.
• Frequently advises others on complex matters.
• May be accountable through team for delivery of tactical business targets.
• Other duties may be assigned

Keyword: ITAR and EAR

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the assigned duties, including computer skills.
• Maintain sensitive and confidential information as required by company and government requirements.
• Communicate and interact effective with peers, supervisors, and public, including maintaining respect for others, and following company policies.
• Have a willingness and ability to learn and utilize company technology for company required purposes, including, for example training, reviewing, and signing policies and procedures, benefits enrollment, and changes, and more.
• Ability to read, understand, and follow instructions.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to maintain knowledge, skills, and abilities as it pertains to your job.
• Current or ability to obtain a Department of War Secret security clearance.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Requires a bacheloris degree and 8 years of related experience, or equivalent work experience.

From: Kratos Defense