Senior Counsel, Import Trade Compliance Legal

Coherent Aerospace & Defense, Inc. is seeking a seasoned compliance professional to lead our trade compliance initiatives across our national operation. This role requires in-depth knowledge of export regulations, customs regulations, trade policy interpretation, OFAC rules, and other compliance frameworks. The successful candidate will advise executive leadership, drive strategic compliance programs, and serve as a key liaison with external regulatory authorities.
 

This is a leadership role offering substantial influence over the company's trade compliance protocols. The successful candidate will shape strategic direction, foster regulatory resilience, and both develop and evolve a best-in-class process for legal compliance.
 

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

• Advise internal stakeholders on legal obligations under U.S. export laws and regulations, including the Export Administration Regulations and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations.  
• Lead and manage responses to regulatory inquiries, audits, and enforcement actions, including coordination of voluntary disclosures, post-shipment verifications, and post-entry adjustments.
• Analyze trade legislation, CBP rulings, and emerging policies to assess business impact.
• Oversee legal review of import documentation, SOPs, and control frameworks across multiple jurisdictions to best manage the company’s risks and opportunities.
• Collaborate with Sales, Supply Chain, Legal, Security, and Logistics teams to ensure operational compliance and risk mitigation.
• Guide legal aspects of export licensing, Technology Assistance Agreements, and Manufacturing Assistance Agreements.
• Establish and maintain protocols for determining EAR/ITAR applicability, product and component classification under the CCL or USML, and experience navigating CCATS and CJ classification determination processes.
• Develop and deliver training on trade compliance laws and risk management protocols for department colleagues and other internal business units.
• Represent the company in front of regulatory agencies such as CBP, DOS, and DOC.

Education & Experience

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school and active license to practice law preferred; compliance professionals with other educational credentials will be considered.
• 8+ years of legal experience in international trade, customs law, export/import compliance, with in-house experience a plus.
• Demonstrated expertise in export licensing, Technology Assistance Agreements, Manufacturing Assistance Agreements, and other DECCs and SNAP-R licensing vehicles. 
• Strong command of U.S. and international trade regulations, CBP protocols, and import operations.
• Experience leveraging automated systems to enhance and simplify compliance programs, including embedding compliance checks into company ERP systems.
• Exceptional legal research and writing skills, with strategic business acumen and leadership experience.
• Experience leading export compliance audits, compliance investigations, and regulatory filings
• Proven track record leading cross-departmental compliance projects.
• Familiarity with ACE portal usage, internal control mapping, and trade systems integration.
• Ability to synthesize legal complexity into clear operational guidance across functions.
• High degree of professionalism, organizational agility, and mentorship capability.
• Experience with HTS classification, customs valuation (including first sale and fallback methods), and country-of-origin determinations.
• Preferred experience in the aerospace & defense industry, especially in the field of optics, photonics, and lasers (ECCN Category 6, USML Category XII and XVIII).
• Preferred experience in other compliance disciplines (anti-bribery and corruption; FAR/DFARs; EHS; corporate governance; NISPOM).

Skills

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills coupled with the ability to actively listen.
• Ability to collaborate with others and work cross-functionally.
• Ability to effectively network and build relationships across all locations and levels of and positions within the organization.
• Ability to quickly understand the organization and how it functions, and apply that understanding to projects and assignments.
• A self-starter who proactively identifies opportunities to improve business and operational processes/procedures with innovative solutions.
• Demonstrated sound judgement and independent decision-making.
• Ability to effectively navigate conflict and resolve issues.
• Ability to maintain trust and confidentiality.

Working Conditions<