Export Control Director

Cowboy Space•Seattle, WA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Cowboy Space Corp. is building the infrastructure to power and connect the orbital economy. Our satellites operate in Low Earth Orbit to collect sunlight and enable a new class of capabilities—from powering on-orbit compute, to transmitting energy via infrared lasers (space-to-earth and space-to-space), to delivering secure, high-bandwidth optical data. By rethinking how energy and data are generated and distributed in space, we’re unlocking entirely new ways to operate both in orbit and on Earth. Founded in 2024 by Baiju Bhatt (co-founder of Robinhood), Cowboy Space Corp. is backed by leading investors and built by a team from top aerospace and defense organizations. We’re moving quickly to solve complex technical challenges and build a new category of space infrastructure. The Export Control Director at Cowboy Space Corporation will operationally own export compliance across the company. This role is responsible for building, implementing, and scaling Cowboy Space’s export compliance program while enabling rapid execution across engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, mission operations, business development, and corporate functions. This is Cowboy Space’s first dedicated export compliance hire. You will build the program from the ground up, establishing foundational infrastructure, tools, processes and culture. Reporting to the COO/CLO, this individual will serve as the company’s primary subject matter expert on export control regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Export Administration Regulations (EAR). The role will partner closely with engineers, technical leaders, and executives to ensure export compliance requirements are integrated into day-to-day operations while supporting the company’s growth and mission objectives. This is a highly hands-on role that combines regulatory expertise, operational rigor, risk management, and business partnership. The ideal candidate enjoys building compliance infrastructure, translating complex regulations into practical guidance, and working directly with highly technical teams in a fast-moving aerospace environment. This role can be located in San Carlos or Seattle.

Requirements

8+ years of export compliance experience in aerospace, defense, satellite, manufacturing, government contracting, or other highly regulated technology environments
Deep expertise with International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Export Administration Regulations (EAR)
Experience interacting directly with DDTC, BIS, OFAC, and related regulatory agencies
Experience performing export classifications and managing export licensing activities
Experience developing, implementing, and scaling export compliance programs, policies, and procedures
Experience partnering directly with engineering and technical organizations
Experience managing denied party and sanctions screening programs
Strong understanding of deemed exports, technical data controls, foreign national access requirements, and technical transfer regulations
Experience conducting compliance assessments, investigations, audits, and corrective action activities
Strong operational and analytical skills with the ability to translate regulatory requirements into practical business solutions
Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate credibly with engineers, executives, regulators, and external partners
Experience operating in ambiguous environments with evolving requirements
High ownership mindset and bias toward action
U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Nice To Haves

Experience supporting satellite, space, launch vehicle, defense, communications, or dual-use technology programs
Experience building or scaling an export compliance program in a startup or high-growth environment
Experience with TAAs, MLAs and other license agreement types under ITAR Part 124/125
Familiarity with MTCR and multilateral export control regimes
EMPCA, ITAR compliance certification or equivalent preferred
Experience developing and administering Technology Control Plans (TCPs)
Familiarity with NISPOM, classified programs, or government security requirements
Startup experience (Seed–Series C) strongly preferred
JD, advanced degree, or relevant export compliance certification preferred

Responsibilities

Own and continuously improve Cowboy Space’s export compliance program
Develop, implement, and maintain policies, procedures, and internal controls related to export-controlled technologies, technical data, software, hardware, and services
Establish scalable compliance processes that support company growth while maintaining regulatory compliance
Serve as the primary internal resource for export control guidance, interpretation, and decision-making
Monitor regulatory developments and assess impacts across engineering, operations, supply chain, and business activities
Build foundational compliance infrastructure capable of scaling alongside the company’s technical and operational growth
Lead export jurisdiction and classification determinations under ITAR, EAR and OFAC regulations
Prepare, submit, and manage export license applications, agreements, exemptions, and related filings
Maintain records and documentation required under applicable export regulations
Support company registration, reporting, and compliance obligations with relevant government agencies
Partner with external counsel and regulatory agencies (DDTC, BIS and OFAC) regarding licensing, compliance matters and policy interpretation
Review products, software, technical data, and business activities to ensure appropriate export classifications and controls are maintained
Partner closely with engineering, manufacturing, mission management, software, and supply chain teams to assess export control requirements throughout the product lifecycle
Review technical data, hardware, software, customer engagements, and business activities for export control implications
Develop and implement Technology Control Plans (TCPs) and related access control processes
Support technical exchanges, demonstrations, international collaborations, and customer interactions involving export-controlled information
Evaluate deemed export considerations, foreign national access requests, and international travel activities
Provide practical guidance that balances regulatory compliance with operational execution
Conduct export compliance assessments, audits, and process reviews
Own and operate the company’s denied party and sanctions screening program, including screening of customers, vendors, partners, employees and foreign nationals against OFAC SDN, BIS Entity List, DDTC Debarred Parties and other applicable restricted party lists
Identify compliance risks and develop corrective action plans and mitigation strategies
Lead investigations involving potential export compliance concerns and support voluntary disclosures when necessary
Develop compliance reporting, metrics, and documentation for leadership visibility
Maintain compliance records and audit readiness across the organization
Partner with People Operations regarding hiring, onboarding, workforce planning, and foreign national access requirements
Develop and deliver export compliance training programs across the organization
Build awareness of export control obligations among employees, managers, and executives
Create practical guidance materials, documentation, and resources to support compliance in day-to-day operations
Foster a culture of compliance that enables innovation while maintaining regulatory integrity
Serve as a trusted advisor to leaders navigating export control considerations in business and technical decision-making