Director of Export Control and Technology Compliance

Field AI•Irvine, CA

42d•$70,000 - $300,000

About The Position

Field AI is seeking a Director of Export Control and Technology Compliance to build and lead the company’s compliance and controlled information framework as we scale our defense-adjacent and commercial technology programs. This role is responsible for ensuring that technical data, software, and systems are properly classified, protected, and accessed in accordance with applicable U.S. export regulations, government contract requirements, internal policies and customer obligations. This is a hands-on role, requiring both strategic judgment and operational execution. The position works directly with company leadership, Engineering, IT, Legal, Human Resources, and Program teams to enable rapid development while maintaining strong compliance discipline.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Information Systems, Law, International Trade, Security, Compliance, or a related field.
Seven or more years of experience in export control, trade compliance, regulatory compliance, or controlled information governance.
Hands-on experience with EAR classification and implementation of technology control measures.
Strong understanding of controlled unclassified information requirements and government contract data handling obligations.
Experience working directly with technical teams on access control and data segregation.
Ability to translate regulatory requirements into practical, scalable operational processes.
Strong judgment, ownership mindset, and ability to operate with limited structure.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Nice To Haves

Experience in a startup or high-growth technology company.
Background in dual-use or defense-adjacent technologies.
Familiarity with DFARS, NIST 800-171, or similar frameworks.
Prior experience standing up a compliance or governance function from the ground up.
Experience working directly with founders or executive leadership.

Responsibilities

Establish and own Field AI’s export control and data classification program, including export-controlled technology, controlled unclassified information, and non-controlled commercial data.
Classify hardware, software, source code, and technical data under applicable U.S. export regulations, including EAR and related classification schemes.
Define and implement graduated access controls based on data classification, regulatory requirements, and contractual obligations.
Create and maintain Technology Control Plans and controlled information handling procedures appropriate for a startup environment.
Advise leadership and Human Resources on hiring eligibility, onboarding practices, and role-based access to regulated programs.
Partner closely with Engineering and IT to design compliant development workflows without slowing product velocity.
Establish policies for storage, transmission, and sharing of controlled technical information and CUI.
Design and deliver training programs on export control, data handling, and compliance requirements.
Support customer due diligence, security questionnaires, and compliance reviews.
Monitor regulatory and contractual changes and assess their impact on company operations.
Lead response and remediation efforts for potential compliance or data handling issues.