Job Summary

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), an affiliate of General Atomics, is a world leader in proven, reliable remotely piloted aircraft and tactical reconnaissance radars, as well as advanced high-resolution surveillance systems.

We are looking for a senior trade compliance professional to lead and grow the Licensing and Strategic Program Support team in the company’s International Trade Compliance (ITC) organization.  This team enables and shapes global business strategies, by providing critical trade compliance guidance and obtaining effective export authorizations. The person in this role will be entrepreneurial and collaborative, focused on innovation, building relationships and driving strategy across multiple functions while anticipating evolving global risk. The successful candidate will have deep export controls subject matter expertise, strong experience in both defense and commercial export licensing, excellent skills as a business and government liaison, and a proven track record as a people and program leader.  Strong candidates will demonstrate flexibility, creativity, initiative, perseverance, resourcefulness, a strong work ethic, excellent problem-solving skills, ability to multi-task and prioritize activities in a dynamic environment, and a sense of humor.  This position reports to the Senior Director leading ITC.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead and manage provision of strategic trade controls support (including licensing) across the company - identifying issues, developing solutions, and providing guidance to senior management to ensure the export compliance process supports business objectives.
• Lead development of export authorization strategies for global marketing, sales, support, offshore procurement, and manufacturing of defense and dual use articles.
• Lead and manage a team of trade compliance experts, each of whom:
  • Crafts and obtains U.S. State Department and Commerce Department export authorizations to facilitate international business objectives and technology collaborations.
  • Supports one or more lines of business and/or international programs as a key member of integrated project teams, understanding and shaping program requirements and objectives while providing trade compliance guidance.
  • Interfaces closely with stakeholders at program reviews and business development meetings, for complete program awareness leading to development and implementation of effective trade control authorization strategies.
  • Provides advice to stakeholders in identifying potential trade compliance issues and developing solutions to effectively mitigate business risk.
  • Provides subject matter expertise and support to related trade compliance processes, such as export control jurisdiction and classification determinations, authorization use and proviso management, pre-release reviews of technical information, and engagement reviews for foreign person visits and international meetings.
  • Manages authorization activity within the relevant OCR EASE software modules and USG systems.
  • Displays political acumen and strong collaboration skills to bring together multiple stakeholder functions in support of export licensing and trade compliance efforts.
• Manage effective relations with appropriate government trade controls personnel, ensuring that the company's positions and requests regarding regulatory policy, licensing and technology release are conveyed, understood and accepted.
• Own, maintain and enhance effective infrastructure for developing, obtaining and administering US export authorizations compliantly.
• Manage effective team coordination and collaboration with other ITC functions (Classification, Operations, Internal Controls and Training) and company partners
• Support training, audits/investigations and other trade compliance activities
• Serve as an Empowered Official for the company
• Perform other duties as assigned or required.

We recognize and appreciate the value and contributions of individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences and welcome all qualified individuals to apply.


 

Job Qualifications

• Typically requires a Bachelors degree in Business, Science, Engineering, or a related field and thirteen or more years of progressively complex export compliance related experience with at least seven of those years in import/export supervision/management. May substitute equivalent experience in lieu of education.  
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a U.S. Secret security clearance (accordingly, U.S. citizenship is required); active security clearance highly preferred.
• Demonstrate a detailed and current expertise in application of U.S. export control laws and regulations, trade compliance best practices, and the ability to manage a dynamic workload while meeting milestones.  Familiarity with non-U.S. trade compliance requirements preferred.
• Varied experience interacting with regulatory agencies on trade compliance issues.
• Possess the ability to resolve complex management and technical problems, serve as spokesperson on assigned projects and/or programs, and provide leadership and direction to assigned staff.
• Strong communication, leadership, presentation, and interpersonal skills are required to enable an effective interface with diverse stakeholders (including senior leaders) in the organization, in the company and beyond.
• Demonstrate flexibility, patience and good humor in tracking and adapting to ever-evolving government and customer requirements and expectations.