Trade Compliance Specialist

Firestorm is hiring a Trade Compliance Specialist to execute the day-to-day mechanics of our trade compliance program in a high-autonomy, execution-focused individual contributor role. You will report directly to the VP of BD and work closely with outside export compliance legal counsel.

About the role

This is an operator-first position responsible for screening, licensing administration, classification intake, training delivery, audits, and recordkeeping within a heavily regulated ITAR/EAR environment. You will ensure tight coordination on regulatory and licensing matters, execute guidance from legal counsel, and maintain audit-ready records. The role requires moving fast, staying organized under regulatory pressure, and executing compliance tasks with rigor and consistency.

Responsibilities

• Perform and maintain records for restricted/denied party screening across customers, partners, vendors, and visitors, escalating potential matches to the General Counsel and outside export counsel immediately.
• Prepare and track export license applications (e.g., DSP-5, TAA, MLA) through DDTC’s DECCS and Commerce’s SNAP-R systems; maintain a clean status log of all active, pending, and expiring licenses and agreements.
• Support classification intake and recordkeeping for items, technical data, and technology under the U.S. Munitions List (USML) and Commerce Control List (CCL)/ECCN framework, routing close-call or ambiguous determinations to outside export counsel for final classification.
• Maintain organized, audit-ready documentation for all licenses, classifications, screenings, and authorizations.
• Track license conditions, provisos, and reporting obligations to ensure ongoing compliance after a license is granted.
• Deliver Firestorm’s export control and trade compliance training to employees, contractors, and relevant third parties using materials provided by the General Counsel and outside export counsel.
• Keep training content current as regulations or company practices change, flagging needed updates to outside export counsel.
• Maintain training completion records and follow up on gaps to ensure full coverage across the workforce.
• Serve as the first point of contact for employee questions on export control basics, escalating anything beyond routine guidance to the General Counsel.
• Maintain visitor and foreign person access control logs in coordination with facilities and security.
• Screen and process visitor requests for compliance with ITAR/EAR deemed export restrictions prior to facility access.
• Coordinate with the ISSO, IT, and program teams to ensure access controls for controlled information and restricted areas are properly documented and enforced.
• Conduct internal audits and self-assessments of the trade compliance program on a regular schedule; document findings and track corrective actions to closure.
• Maintain Firestorm’s Export Management Compliance Program (EMCP) and ITAR Compliance Program (ICP) documentation, keeping policies and procedures current under guidance from the General Counsel and outside export counsel.
• Maintain the recordkeeping systems, trackers, and checklists that keep the program organized and inspection-ready at all times.
• Support responses to government inquiries, audits, or compliance reviews by assembling documentation as directed by the General Counsel and outside export counsel.
• Flag recurring issues or process gaps to the General Counsel; help implement practical fixes — forms, checklists, or workflow changes — as directed.
• Serve as the day-to-day point of contact for routine trade compliance questions from engineering, program, BD, and operations teams.
• Coordinate with the COO’s team on operational logistics and with the General Counsel on anything requiring legal interpretation or risk judgment.
• Translate guidance from outside export counsel into clear, practical next steps for the teams who need to act on it.
• Stay current on regulatory changes and proactively flag relevant updates to the General Counsel and outside export counsel rather than making independent determinations on novel issues.
• Execute the day-to-day operations of a compliance program with discipline and consistency, organizing and maintaining trackers, logs, and audit-ready documentation.
• Operate under the direction of the General Counsel and outside export counsel, escalating judgment calls rather than making independent legal determinations.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in International Business, International Trade/Affairs, Supply Chain Management, Finance, or a related field.
• U.S. Citizenship required due to ITAR regulations and the ability to obtain and maintain a Department of Defense (DoD) security clearance.
• 3+ years of hands-on experience executing tasks within U.S. export/import compliance programs (ITAR/EAR), with direct, practical experience in screening, licensing administration, and classification intake.
• Working knowledge of the U.S. Munitions List (USML), Export Control Classification Numbers (ECCN), the Commerce Control List (CCL), and deemed export concepts.
• Hands-on experience preparing and tracking DDTC license applications (e.g., DSP-5, TAA, MLA) and familiarity with DECCS and/or SNAP-R.
• Experience performing restricted/denied party screening and maintaining associated documentation.
• Experience delivering compliance training to a non-specialist workforce.

Preferred Qualifications

• Graduate degree in International Business, International Trade/Affairs, Supply Chain Management, Finance, or a related field.
• Certifications such as Certified Export Compliance Professional (CECP) or Licensed Customs Broker (LCB).
• Experience supporting U.S. and international sanctions compliance (e.g., OFAC, UN).
• Experience working in a defense contractor or ITAR-regulated manufacturing environment.
• Familiarity with EMCP/ICP program documentation and internal audit processes.
• Experience coordinating with outside counsel on regulatory matters.
• Prior experience at a fast-growing or venture-backed company.

About Firestorm

Firestorm is building the future of expeditionary defense manufacturing and autonomous systems. 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 micro-factory — 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.

Work Environment

• Based onsite at our San Diego, CA Headquarters; relocation assistance may be included in the offer package where appropriate.
• Willingness to travel up to 10% domestically and internationally.
• Operates in a standard office setting and manufacturing environment; may involve exposure to loud noise, heat, cold, dust, or chemicals (with PPE).
• Physical demands include the ability to sit, stand, bend, reach, climb, and move about regularly throughout the day. Must have manual dexterity to operate standard office equipment.

Pay

Base salary: $95,000 - $110,000 USD yearly, commensurate with experience. Meaningful equity grant in a growth-stage defense technology company.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans.
• 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan.
• Unlimited PTO.
• Extremely generous company holiday calendar, including holiday hiatuses in July and December.
• Generous Parental Leave.
• Lifestyle Spending Account.
• FSA, DCFSA, and HSA options.
• Hospital Indemnity insurance, Critical Illness insurance, and Accident insurance.
• Basic Life/AD&D, short-term and long-term disability insurance, 100% covered by Firestorm, with the option to purchase additional life insurance for you and your family.
• Free mental health resources 24/7, including therapy and work-life services such as free legal and financial support.