a16z Trade Compliance Manager (R5351)
Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include Hivemind autonomy software, V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, and Aechelon simulation and synthetic reality technologies. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, Shield AI’s technology actively supports operations worldwide. For more information, visit . Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube.
Job Description:
Will serves as the regional trade compliance leader for the UK and Europe, providing strategic oversight and execution of the company's international trade compliance program in support of critical defense. This position is responsible for developing and implementing regional trade compliance strategies, ensuring compliance with UK and international export control regulations, sanctions, licensing requirements, and other applicable trade laws throughout the full program lifecycle. The Trade Compliance Manager partners closely with Engineering, Program Management, Legal, Business Development, Supply Chain, and government stakeholders to enable business objectives while mitigating export compliance risk. The role provides leadership across multiple concurrent, high-priority international programs, advises senior leadership on trade compliance matters, and drives consistent compliance processes across the region.
What you'll do:
- Act as the primary trade compliance point of contact for the UK and support regional compliance activities across Europe.
- Review, prepare, submit, and manage export authorizations through UK systems (e.g., SPIRE), including SIELs, OIELs, and OGELs, and support European licensing requirements where applicable.
- Classify products, software, and technical data under UK Strategic Export Control Lists
- Provide guidance on European export control considerations, including intra-EU transfers and applicable member state regulations.
- Partner with engineering teams to understand system functionality, data flows, and technical specifications to support accurate classifications and licensing strategies.
- Develop and maintain classification and licensing documentation, including rationale and audit-ready records.
- Provide clear, actionable guidance on export control requirements, restrictions, and compliance strategies across UK and European business activities.
- Implement and manage trade compliance procedures, including visitor controls, international travel guidance, and restricted party screening in accordance with UK, EU, and applicable international regulations.
- Review export authorizations to ensure alignment with UK government requirements (e.g., ECJU), relevant European authorities, and internal policies.
- Monitor regulatory developments in UK and European export controls, ensuring ongoing compliance and organizational awareness.
- Build and improve scalable internal processes and tools to streamline classification and licensing workflows across the region.
Required qualifications:
- 5+ years of experience in trade compliance, customs, or export control within aerospace, defense, or advanced technology industries.
- Experience with UK export control regulations and/or US export control frameworks (ITAR and EAR), including licensing and classification.
- Experience managing export authorizations and interacting with regulatory bodies such as the UK Export Control Joint Unit (ECJU), EU member state authorities, and/or US State and Commerce Departments.
- Strong working knowledge of export classification methodologies, jurisdiction determinations, and licensing workflows.
- Understanding of European export control regimes and cross-border transfer considerations within Europe.
- Experience collaborating with engineering and program teams to translate technical information into compliant export classifications and documentation.
- Bachelor’s degree in Law, Business, International Trade, Supply Chain Management, or a related field.
- Excellent analytical, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
Preferred qualifications:
- Experience liaising with UK Government departments.
- Experience supporting programs involving defense technologies, dual-use items, or autonomous systems.
- Exposure to compliance operations across multiple jurisdictions (EU, US, APJ).
- Relevant professional certifications (e.g., Certified Export Specialist, Certified Customs Specialist, or equivalent).
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Our international teammates receive a comprehensive total rewards package aligned to your country office location. For full details on compensation and benefits, please consult your talent acquisition partner.