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Trade Compliance Officer

AeroVironment

AeroVironment

Legal
United States
USD 109,714-155,400 / year
Posted on Jun 25, 2025

Worker Type

Regular


Job Description

Summary

Under the direction of the Trade Compliance Leadership, the primary responsibility of the Trade Compliance Officer is to be a strong individual contributor to the AeroVironment organization. Responsible for performing the day to day activities required to operate a fully effective export compliance program to ensure company compliance with US regulatory and internal policy requirements relating to export licensing, exemption usage, export training and recordkeeping.

Position Responsibilities

  • Export licensing and Agreements, CJ’s, and AO’s – Prepare, submit, and manage export license applications (DSP-5, DSP-73, DSP-61, TAA, MLA, etc.), plus license and agreements management, both Department of State and Department of Commerce. Prepare and submit requests for Commodity Jurisdictions, advisory opinions and general correspondence.
  • Empowered Official – High potential to serve as an Empowered Official.
  • Ensure that AV is fully compliant with all Trade Compliance Laws and Regulations. Maintain currency of Laws and Regulations.
  • Product Classifications – Assist in maintaining accurate product Export and Import classifications, ECCN, ITAR category, HTS and Schedule B codes, etc., and maintenance of a current and robust database of all product Export and Import classifications.
  • Outside TC Consultants - Work with outside Trade Compliance consultants and legal counsel as directed by the TC Leadership.
  • Document retention – Maintain excellent Trade Compliance records in full compliance with USG Export Regulations.
  • Attend and participate in the AV Export Compliance Council monthly meetings.
  • Shipping & Receiving – Maintain an active role on export shipments. Develop a close and active working relationship with the shipping department and its personnel, to prevent Export violations. Ensure that imports are properly handled.
  • Export Compliance Training – Participation in Export Training curriculum development, curriculum presentation, maintenance of company training logs.
  • Oversee international visitors and travelers’ policies and control.
  • Procedures and auditing – Maintain TC processes and procedures. Train company employees. Audit compliance to the company procedures.
  • Continuous Improvements – Identify improvement opportunities and problems, then provide guidance to AV Sr. management for solutions. Implement solutions when approved by Sr. management, and report on progress.
  • International Business Development and Program Management Support – Provide expert guidance to the Int’l BD and PM organizations in their pursuits of capturing and performing on new business for AV. Active participation in gated proposal process reviews during all 6 stages. This also includes coordination necessary for Trade Show and Demo support. Conduct contract review for trade compliance requirements.
  • Acts independently to determine methods and procedures on new or special assignments. May supervise the activities of others within the team
  • Works on significant and unique issues where analysis of situations or data requires an evaluation of intangibles
  • Other duties as assigned

    Basic Qualifications (Required Skills & Experience)

  • Bachelor's Degree in Business, International Trade, Law or related field, or equivalent is required
  • Minimum of 12+ years of overall export administration experience with an aerospace firm, defense contractor or government entity
  • Experienced in dealing with entities such as U.S. Government entities (e.g., DOD, Department of Commerce), international customers or international brokers / freight forwarders
  • Experienced in working with outside Trade Compliance consultants

    Other Qualifications & Desired Competencies

  • Expert understanding of DECCS and SNAPR Systems, and license applications
  • Expert knowledge of International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Export Administration Regulations (EAR), and applicable International regulation, with the ability to understand, interpret and communicate compliance-related language.
  • Having broad expertise, uses skills to contribute to development of company objectives
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills with direct involvement in writing and implementing trade compliance policies and procedures, Technical Assistance Agreements, Warehouse Distribution Agreements and Manufacturing License Agreements.
  • Ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment and work with minimal supervision.
  • Able to excel in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment, where small teams share a broad variety of duties
  • Displays strong initiative and drive to accomplish goals and meet company objectives
  • Takes ownership and responsibility for current and past work products
  • Is committed to learning from mistakes and driven to improve and enhance performance of oneself, others, and the company
  • Has effective problem-solving, analytical, interpersonal and communication skills. Focuses on teamwork, collaboration and puts the success of the team above one's own interests

    Physical Demands

  • Ability to work in an office/remote environment (Constant)
  • Required to sit and stand for long periods; talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard (Frequent)

The salary range for this role is:

$109,714 - $155,400

AeroVironment considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the location, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, education/training, and key skills.

ITAR Requirement:

This position requires access to information that is subject to compliance with the International Traffic Arms Regulations (“ITAR”) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (“EAR”). In order to comply with the requirements of the ITAR and/or the EAR, applicants must qualify as a U.S. person under the ITAR and the EAR, or a person to be approved for an export license by the governing agency whose technology comes under its jurisdiction. Please understand that any job offer that requires approval of an export license will be conditional on AeroVironment’s determination that it will be able to obtain an export license in a time frame consistent with AeroVironment’s business requirements. A “U.S. person” according to the ITAR definition is a U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), or protected individual such as a refugee or asylee. See 22 CFR § 120.15. Some positions will require current U.S. Citizenship due to contract requirements.

Benefits: AV offers an excellent benefits package including medical, dental vision, 401K with company matching, a 9/80 work schedule and a paid holiday shutdown. For more information about our company benefit offerings please visit: http://www.avinc.com/myavbenefits.

We also encourage you to review our company website at http://www.avinc.com to learn more about us.

Principals only need apply. NO agencies please.

Who We Are

Based in California, AeroVironment (AVAV) is a global leader in unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and tactical missile systems. Founded in 1971 by celebrated physicist and engineer, Dr. Paul MacCready, we’ve been at the leading edge of technical innovation for more than 45 years. Be a part of the team that developed the world’s most widely used military drones and created the first submarine-launched reconnaissance drone, and has seven innovative vehicles that are part of the Smithsonian Institution’s permanent collection in Washington, DC.

Join us today in developing the next generation of small UAS and tactical missile systems that will deliver more actionable intelligence to our customers so they can proceed with certainty – and succeed.

What We Do

Building on a history of technological innovation, AeroVironment designs, develops, produces, and supports an advanced portfolio of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and tactical missile systems. Agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense and allied military services use the company’s hand-launched UAS to provide situational awareness to tactical operating units through real-time, airborne reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition.

We are proud to be an EEO/AA Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/veterans. AeroVironment, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and welcomes all qualified applicants. Qualified applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic data, sexual orientation, gender identity or other legally protected status.

ITAR

U.S. Citizenship required