Export Controls Officer

Worker Type

Job Description
 

Summary
The Export Controls Officer (ECO) will be a subject matter expert on export classification related to assigned business units and will be responsible for leading cross-functional efforts to design for exportability and maintain export classification records. The ECO will report to the Export Controls Manager. The ECO will support production, engineering, marketing, sales, shipping, and program management for customers. As such they will be critical to developing products for markets and enabling successful, timely delivery. The ideal candidate will not only have a strong background in export controls but also a strong background in military equipment and technology.
 
A successful candidate is expected to show up day one able take any given product through the Order of Review, comfortably review a technical document, and comfortably discuss products with engineers. Two months in they will be reviewing and approving approximately 10 production change orders and supporting multiple shipment or license classification requests a day. Six months in they will be comfortable independently meeting with Chief Engineers or other senior product experts for classifying brand new products or assisting in the strategic design of products to ease export restrictions.

Position Responsibilities

• Cross functional team leader for the Technical Focal Point Program (TFPP).
• Responsible for classification related requests such as jurisdiction determinations (CJ), commodity classification determinations (CCATS), and advisory opinions (AO).
• Lead Monthly status meetings with product line Technical Focal Points (TFP) who are engineers supporting classification of their product lines
• Support Technical Focal Points in the classification process with expert guidance in the regulations and AeroVironment processes for classification determinations
• Maintain and audit all databases and sources for export control information as used by AeroVironment organizations.
• Maintain subject matter expertise in ITAR and EAR regulations as they apply to export controls.
• Lead coordination with Chief Engineers and other product line senior leaders to identify opportunities for improving the program and enable efficiency regarding export controls
• Attend all required engineering meetings to identify potential controls early in the design phase as well as opportunities to design products with less restrictive controls
• Support Business Development and Program Management as the resident technical expert for export controls to support in planning and licensing as needed.
• Perform classification (ECCN, USML Category, HTS, Schedule B) in all phases of business: Research and Development, Engineering, Production, and at time of Export.
• 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.
• 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.
• Acts independently to determine methods and procedures on new or special assignments. May supervise the activities of others within the team
• Other duties as assigned

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills & Experience)

• Bachelor's Degree in Business, International Trade, Law, Science, Engineering, or related field, or equivalent is required
• Minimum of 7+ years of combined experience in export controls AND/OR a technical field such as engineering, military intelligence, or other technical field with a focus on capabilities and performance analysis (preferably with an aerospace firm, defense contract, or military)

Other Qualifications & Desired Competencies

• 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.
• Expert knowledge of the Commerce Control List (CCL) and US Munitions List (USML)
• Education and/or experience that demonstrates an aptitude for being a technical expert regarding a variety of complex commodities and technologies.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with direct involvement in writing and implementing trade compliance policies and procedures, Technical Assistance Agreements, Warehouse Distribution Agreements or Manufacturing License Agreements.
• 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)

Special Requirements

• U.S. Citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident (Green Card holder) or asylee/refugee status as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) required.

Clearance Level
 

The salary range for this role is:

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.

About AV:

AV isn’t for everyone. We hire the curious, the relentless, the mission-obsessed. The best of the best.

We don’t just build defense technology—we redefine what’s possible. As the premier autonomous systems company in the U.S., AV delivers breakthrough capabilities across air, land, sea, space, and cyber. From AI-powered drones and loitering munitions to integrated autonomy and space resilience, our technologies shape the future of warfare and protect those who serve.

Founded by legendary innovator Dr. Paul MacCready, AV has spent over 50 years pushing the boundaries of what unmanned systems can do. Our heritage includes seven platforms in the Smithsonian—but we’re not building history, we’re building what’s next.

If you're ready to build technology that matters—with speed, scale, and purpose—there’s no better place to do it than AV.

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