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Jobs · Finance · California

Trade Compliance Specialist

Firestorm · San Diego, CA · 2 wk ago
On-siteFinance$90k–$115k/yrFull-time

About the role

Firestorm is hiring a Trade Compliance Specialist to execute the day-to-day mechanics of our trade compliance program. You will be in a high-autonomy, execution-focused individual contributor role responsible for screening, licensing administration, classification intake, training delivery, audits, and recordkeeping — with the discipline required in a heavily regulated, ITAR/EAR environment.

Responsibilities

  • Perform and maintain records for restricted/denied party screening across customers, partners, vendors, and visitors, escalating any 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

  • Help 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 and outside export counsel

  • Conduct internal audits and self-assessments of the trade compliance program on a regular schedule; document findings and track corrective actions to closure

  • 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

  • Execute the day-to-day operations of a compliance program with discipline and consistency — you will be working inside the established program, not just designing one

  • Organize and maintain 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

  • U.S. Citizenship required due to ITAR regulations & the ability to obtain and maintain a Department of Defense (DoD) security clearance

  • 5+ 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-RE

  • Experience performing restricted/denied party screening and maintaining associated documentation

  • Experience delivering compliance training to a non-specialist workforce

Preferred Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s 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

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