Global Trade Compliance Specialist

Nominal•Washington, DC

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Nominal’s Legal & Security team ensures the company and its customers comply with U.S. trade controls. The company’s software is used in defense programs and handles export-controlled technical data across cloud, on-premises, and air-gapped environments, making trade compliance a part of how Nominal builds, sells, and deploys its products. The Global Trade Compliance Specialist will shape and lead Nominal’s trade compliance program as the company expands into new programs, partnerships, and markets. The role is suited to someone who has built or scaled a trade compliance program and wants to set its direction at a fast-growing defense technology company. The specialist will work with little oversight, own the approach across Legal, Information Security, Engineering, Government, and Revenue, and make decisions when regulations do not provide a clear answer.

Requirements

At least 5 years on a risk, compliance, or trade compliance team, including experience building or scaling a trade compliance program.
Deep expertise in ITAR and EAR, including licenses, agreements, and classification decisions involving ambiguity.
Strong understanding of the overlap between trade controls, Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), and information security requirements.
Experience in a global dual-use commercial technology company, including exposure to EAR encryption controls and their intersection with performance metrics and access to tools such as Databricks, Snowflake, and Datadog.
Eligibility to work with export-controlled materials.
Track record of leading cross-functional compliance work across legal, engineering, and commercial teams.
Sound judgment under ambiguity, including the ability to weigh options, make decisions, and explain them clearly to leaders and non-specialists.
For compliance with U.S. Government export regulations, applicants must be a U.S. citizen or national, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee, or be eligible to obtain required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Nice To Haves

Trade compliance experience at a defense contractor or an ITAR-focused software company.
Hands-on use of DECCS, SNAP-R, ACE, or restricted-party screening software.
Experience managing voluntary disclosures, compliance audits, or commodity jurisdiction requests.
Familiarity with export controls for cloud, on-premises, or air-gapped software deployments and international partners.

Responsibilities

Shape the strategy and roadmap for Nominal’s global trade compliance program, prioritizing risks as the business grows.
Define the classification of Nominal’s software, technical data, and services under the USML and Commerce Control List, including making decisions in ambiguous cases.
Lead complex licensing efforts, including Technical Assistance Agreements and international partnerships, from strategy through approval.
Design scalable screening, due diligence, and access-control processes with Information Security, Engineering, and Revenue.
Lead responses to export control and sanctions incidents and implement lasting process and product improvements based on lessons learned.
Own Nominal’s ITAR, EAR, and OFAC policies and training, and advise leadership on trade risks in deals, partnerships, and product decisions.
Mentor teammates and build trade compliance knowledge across the company.