Defense Compliance Manager

About Oshkosh AeroTech, an Oshkosh company

Oshkosh AeroTech is a leading provider of aviation ground support products, gate equipment and airport services to commercial airlines, airports, air-freight carriers, ground handling and military customers. Oshkosh AeroTech offers products that make a difference in people’s lives by supporting those in our communities who do some of the toughest work. They own many of the most trusted brands in the air transportation industry, including LEKTRO®, JetAire®, JetPower®, AmpTekÔ, Jetway®, and more.

The Defense & Trade Compliance Manager at Oshkosh AeroTech is responsible for overseeing and enhancing the organization’s compliance posture with respect to U.S. federal defense contracting and global trade regulations. This position supports the Jetway and Ground Support Equipment (GSE) businesses and ensures compliance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS), Cost Accounting Standards (CAS), and export control laws, including Export Administration Regulations (EAR) and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR).

This role is integral in reducing legal and financial risk, supporting government audits, maintaining the organization’s reputation, and ensuring efficient execution of defense contracts. The manager also plays a critical role in the implementation and management of a Global Trade Management System (GTMS) to strengthen export compliance and transactional accuracy.

YOUR IMPACT

These duties are not meant to be all-inclusive. Additional responsibilities may be assigned.

Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure compliance with FAR, DFARS, CAS, and company policies across all phases of contract execution.
• Interpret and apply regulatory changes to internal policies and procedures; lead corrective action efforts where required.
• Provide guidance on regulatory and contractual obligations to cross-functional teams.

Training and Guidance

• Deliver training to internal stakeholders on contract management, FAR/DFARS/ITAR/EAR compliance, and export control procedures.
• Serve as a subject matter expert for internal and external teams on U.S. government contracting and trade compliance matters.

Auditing and Reporting

• Perform internal audits to ensure compliance with company procedures, contractual terms, FAR/DFARS, and export control requirements.
• Prepare for and support external audits and reviews conducted by DCMA, DCAA, and other federal oversight agencies.

Contract Management

• Partner with AeroTech contract manager to support complex U.S. government contracts, including proposals, modifications, performance tracking, and closeouts.
• Helps to ensure alignment of contract terms with regulatory and corporate requirements, working with legal, finance, and project management teams.

Risk Management

• Identify and mitigate risks related to contract performance, cybersecurity, supply chain vulnerabilities, and export controls.
• Conduct compliance assessments and support implementation of risk mitigation strategies.

Export Controls & Trade Compliance

• Partner with Oshkosh Export Controls and Trade Compliance team to ensure compliance functions within AeroTech, including compliance with EAR, ITAR, and OFAC sanctions.
• Support export license applications, commodity classifications (ECCNs), and technical data control processes.
• Support the implementation and ongoing management of the Global Trade Management System (GTMS) to automate export compliance activities and improve recordkeeping.
• Liaise with freight forwarders, customs brokers, and logistics partners to ensure accurate shipping documentation and lawful exports.
• Conduct self-assessments, internal audits, and support voluntary disclosures and remediation actions where needed.

Proposal Development

• Collaborate on the development of proposals for government contracts, ensuring compliance with RFP requirements, pricing regulations, and acquisition frameworks.
• Participate in proposal risk reviews and compliance assessments during the bid process.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Law, Public Administration, International Trade, or a related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in government contract compliance, export controls, or related roles in the defense sector.
• Strong working knowledge of FAR, DFARS, CAS, ITAR, and EAR.

STANDOUT QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience in the aerospace, defense, or industrial equipment industries.
• Familiarity with:
  • BIS SNAP-R, AES filing, EC