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Trade Compliance Officer

Firestorm

Job Location:

San Diego, CA - USA

Yearly Salary: USD 170000 - 210000

Posted: 6 October 2026 (2 days ago)

Application Deadline: 3 January 2027

Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Department:

Legal

Job Summary

Firestorm is hiring a Trade Compliance Officer to own and lead our trade compliance program. As we move from prototypes to production and from domestic programs to international partners co-production and a deployable manufacturing platform export controls stop being a back-office function and become part of how we design sell build and ship. You will make sure compliance moves at the speed of the business and that the business never outruns compliance.

Reporting to the General Counsel you will be Firestorms senior trade compliance authority and the connective tissue between Engineering Legal Business Development and Operations. You will make and document jurisdiction classification licensing and screening determinations; set the compliance requirements for new programs partnerships and deals before they are signed; and hold the authority to pause a shipment a technical data release or a transaction until it is properly authorized. You will direct outside export counsel on novel or high-risk questions rather than rely on them for day-to-day answers.

This is a builders role. The foundations exist; your job is to turn them into an Export Management and Compliance Program that scales embedded in our engineering tools our deal process and our supply chain and to build the team that runs it as we grow.

We are looking for a seasoned practitioner who pairs deep ITAR/EAR expertise with business judgment: someone who can tell BD how to structure a foreign deal so it is licensable tell Engineering what a design change does to a classification and tell leadership plainly where the risk sits and what it will take to manage it.

What Youll Do

Program Ownership & Leadership

Own Firestorms Export Management and Compliance Program (EMCP) end to end policies procedures internal controls risk assessment and continuous improvement aligned with DDTC and BIS compliance program guidelines
Serve as or be positioned for designation as Firestorms ITAR Empowered Official with authority to sign license applications and to stop any export release or transaction that is not properly authorized
Maintain Firestorms DDTC registration and serve as the companys primary point of contact with DDTC BIS OFAC and CBP
Report program health risks and metrics to the General Counsel and executive leadership and brief the Board as required
Direct and manage outside export counsel and consultants; decide what is handled in-house and what warrants outside advice and manage the associated budget
Build and lead the trade compliance function over time including hiring and developing a Trade Compliance Specialist as volume grows

Cross-Functional Leadership

Engineering & Product: Embed compliance into the product lifecycle jurisdiction and classification reviews at design gates configuration change control technical data marking and segregation and foreign person access to controlled data so determinations stay current as products evolve and are updated before anything leaves the building
Legal: Partner with the General Counsel on regulatory strategy export-related contract terms (end-use/end-user certifications flow-downs re-export restrictions) partner and investor diligence and any potential violation investigation or government inquiry
Business Development: Engage at the earliest stage of international opportunities to assess export feasibility licensing pathways (DCS vs. FMS exemptions and license exceptions TAAs/MLAs) and realistic timelines; shape proposal teaming and partnership structures so deals are licensable and close on schedule
Operations & Supply Chain: Own export and import controls alongside Operations item classifications in ERP shipment authorization EEI/AES filings HTS and country-of-origin determinations broker and freight forwarder oversight and supplier flow-downs
Security & IT: Partner with the FSO ISSO and IT on physical and logical access to controlled technical data visitor and foreign person access deemed export controls and the overlap between export controls and CUI/CMMC requirements
Translate regulatory requirements into clear practical decisions and workflows for the teams who need to act on them compliance that people follow because it is built into how they already work

Licensing Agreements & Classification

Lead licensing strategy and execution DSP-5 DSP-73 TAA MLA and BIS license applications through DECCS and SNAP-R including the agreements that support international co-development co-production and the deployment of manufacturing capability abroad
Make and document jurisdiction and classification determinations under the USML and CCL for hardware software technical data and production technology including digital build files and manufacturing data for xCell; lead Commodity Jurisdiction and CCATS submissions when warranted
Govern the use of ITAR exemptions and EAR license exceptions and manage the full lifecycle of licenses and agreements provisos conditions amendments reporting obligations and expirations
Oversee restricted party end-use and end-user screening and red-flag review across customers partners suppliers and visitors; resolve potential matches and escalate true risks
Control the release of technical data in foreign customer demonstrations technical diligence facility visits trade shows and exchanges of drawings CAD files and specifications

Regulatory Coverage & Risk Management

Extend the program beyond ITAR/EAR as the business requires including OFAC sanctions U.S. import and customs compliance and the export control regimes of allied and partner nations where we operate
Monitor regulatory change including rules affecting unmanned systems advanced manufacturing and emerging technology and assess and communicate its impact on products programs and deals
Support the General Counsel on foreign investment (CFIUS) and foreign ownership control or influence (FOCI) considerations where they intersect with export controls
Lead internal investigations of potential violations with the General Counsel and outside counsel and prepare voluntary disclosures to DDTC BIS or OFAC where appropriate
Lead Firestorms response to government inquiries audits and compliance reviews

Training Audit & Systems

Design and deliver role-based training so that Engineering BD Operations and leadership each get what they actually need to make compliant decisions
Run a risk-based internal audit program; document findings drive corrective actions to closure and use the results to strengthen controls
Select and implement trade compliance tools (screening classification license management) and integrate them with ERP PLM and document control so compliance is automated wherever it can be
Keep recordkeeping audit-ready at all times with the metrics to show the program is working

What Success Looks Like in Your First Year

Every product software release and technical data package has a current documented jurisdiction and classification tied to its configuration
International opportunities have their export pathway assessed when they are qualified not when the contract is ready to sign and licensing is no longer a surprise on the critical path
A written risk-assessed EMCP is in place the workforce is trained and the first internal audit is complete with corrective actions closed
Screening shipment authorization and technical data release controls are built into the tools teams already use
Engineering BD and Operations see trade compliance as the partner that helps them get to yes compliantly

Perform other duties as required

Required Qualifications

Bachelors degree in International Business Supply Chain Management Economics Finance Accounting or equivalent degree
U.S. Citizenship required due to ITAR regulations with the ability to obtain and maintain a Department of War (DoW) security clearance
8 years of U.S. export compliance experience (ITAR and EAR)
3 years owning or leading a trade compliance program at a defense or aerospace manufacturer
Experience with U.S. Munitions List (USML) Export Control Classification Numbers (ECCN) the Commerce Control List (CCL) including the 600 series order of review deemed exports exemptions and license exceptions and the judgment to make and defend determinations
Experience securing complex DDTC (Directorate of Defense Trade Controls) authorizations including TAAs (Technical Assistance Agreements) and MLAs (Manufacturing License Agreements) with foreign partners as well as BIS (Bureau of Industry & Security) licenses; fluent in DECCS (Defense Export Control & Compliance System) and SNAP-R (Simplified Network Application Process-Redesign)
Experience leading or supporting internal investigations and voluntary disclosures and engaging directly with DDTC BIS or OFAC
Experience building or rebuilding an EMCP/ICP including policies procedures risk assessment internal audit and training
Experience advising engineering and BD teams translating regulation into design and deal decisions and to influence senior leaders across functions without direct authority

Preferred Qualifications

Bachelors degree in International Trade Business Law Engineering or a related field; JD or advanced degree a plus
Prior designation as an ITAR Empowered Official
Certifications such as Export Compliance Professional (ECoP) Certified Export Compliance Professional (CECP) or Licensed Customs Broker (LCB)
Experience with international co-development and co-production programs manufacturing license agreements or transfer of production capability abroad
Experience with OFAC sanctions import/customs compliance and allied and partner nation export control regimes
Familiarity with CUI NIST SP 800-171/CMMC and FOCI/CFIUS considerations
Experience implementing trade compliance software integrated with ERP and PLM systems
Experience at a fast-growing or venture-backed hardware company building the program while the business was running

Who We Are

At Firestorm we are building the future of expeditionary defense manufacturing and autonomous systems. Modern conflict has exposed a fundamental problem: the systems needed most by operators are often too expensive too slow to produce and too difficult to sustain at scale. Firestorm exists to change that.

We develop mission-adaptable aerial systems and deployable manufacturing infrastructure designed to put capability directly into the hands of the warfighter. From modular unmanned aircraft to xCell our deployable microfactory our goal is to make defense systems rapidly deployable adaptable and producible at the point of need.

Backed by leading investors across defense aerospace and technology Firestorm is redefining how defense capability is built fielded and sustained in contested environments.

We are looking for builders operators and problem-solvers who want to work on meaningful technology with real-world impact.

Work Environment

Position is based onsite at our San Diego CA Headquarters
We welcome candidates who are local or open to relocating; relocation assistance is available and may be included in the offer package where appropriate
Willingness to travel up to 10% domestically & internationally

This position typically operates in a standard office setting and manufacturing environment. This role requires use of standard office equipment and may involve exposure to loud noise heat cold dust or chemicals (with PPE). The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Ability to sit stand bend reach climb and move about regularly throughout the day. Must have manual dexterity to operate standard office equipment.

Compensation

Base salary: $170000 - $210000 base commensurate with experience
Equity: Meaningful equity grant in a growth-stage defense technology company

The posted salary range reflects an estimate based on a variety of compensation factors including but not limited to relevant experience education certifications specialized skills geographic location and business needs. Actual compensation may vary and this range is subject to change as our compensation structure or market conditions evolve.

Benefits & Perks

Our culture fosters collaboration respect and trust empowering passionate people to do their best work. We offer a competitive salary comprehensive benefits and opportunities for career addition to an opportunity to take part in an innovative collaborative and fast-growing business with a highly motivated and skilled team we also take pride in taking care of our employees. Here are just a few ways that we show our appreciation:

We offer comprehensive medical dental and visions plans
401(k) Retirement Savings Plan to invest in your long-term retirement goals
Equity grants for new hires
Unlimited PTO
Extremely generous company holiday calendar including a holiday hiatus in July & December.
Generous Parental Leave
Lifestyle Spending Account
FSA
DCFSA
HSA
Hospital Indemnity insurance
Critical Illness insurance
Accident insurance
Basic Life/AD&D short-term and long-term disability insurance 100% covered by Firestorm. Plus the option to purchase additional life insurance for you and your family.
Mental Health Resources: We provide free mental health resources 24/7 including therapy and more. Additional work-life services such as free legal and financial support are available to you as well.

Export Control Compliance

To conform to U.S. government export control regulations including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Export Administration Regulations (EAR) you 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 otherwise eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State or U.S. Department of Commerce.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Firestorm is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace and upholding equitable hiring practices. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race color religion sex sexual orientation gender identity national origin disability protected veteran status or any other characteristic under federal state or local law including those with a criminal history in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws including the CA Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance. We actively encourage members of recognized minorities women Veterans and those with disabilities to apply and we work to create a welcoming and supportive environment for all applicants throughout the interview process.

Firestorm is committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible work environment. If you require accommodations or assistance during the application process please dont hesitate to reach out to us at so we can provide the support you need.

Required Experience:

Unclear Seniority

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