Senior Counsel (Global Trade Compliance)

About nLIGHT nLIGHT is a rapidly growing publicly listed company (NASDAQ: LASR).  nLIGHT is a global leader in high-power semiconductor and fiber lasers for industrial, microfabrication, aerospace, and defense applications. nLIGHT DEFENSE Systems is developing rugged and compact laser weapon system solutions that can operate and survive in challenging Defense environments.  Headquartered in Camas, Washington, nLIGHT employs over 1,000 people with operations in the United States, China, and Finland. Job SummarynLIGHT is looking for a Senior Counsel (Global Trade Compliance), reporting to nLIGHT’s General Counsel, to provide ground floor guidance, legal advice, oversight, and governance on a wide range of complex legal and business issues related to global export, customs, and economic sanctions laws and regulations. The position will provide support to nLIGHT, nLIGHT DEFENSE Systems, and other nLIGHT subsidiaries worldwide.  The position will be located in Camas, WA.  Remote or hybrid option also would be considered. Responsibilities include: 

• Provide expert legal advice and operational direction for compliance with export, customs, and economic sanctions requirements in support of nLIGHT’s global operations, including sales and supply chain operations.
• Identify and prioritize current and emerging risks and implement robust risk management systems and controls to enhance trade compliance.
• Continually monitor legal and regulatory requirements and developments to ensure current and accurate compliance policies and procedures.
• Conduct and support audits and assessments of global sites, functions, and programs to ensure that legal compliance requirements are being met and identify enhancement opportunities.
• Partner with information technology and information security teams to ensure data and data systems comply with relevant trade controls laws. 
• Work with other team members to develop training modules and implement and maintain a comprehensive trade controls compliance training program.
• Perform due diligence and provide legal advice regarding trade compliance issues for potential new business opportunities and acquisitions. 
• Support business teams in evaluating and identifying strategy for application of trade controls to new capabilities, products, sourcing locations, and markets.  
• Conduct and manage investigations of potential non-compliance and resulting disclosures to government agencies in the US and abroad.
• Manage day-to-day screening activity (e.g., denied parties, sanctions, embargos, end-use, end user) in full compliance with applicable U.S. and non-U.S. regulations.
• Prepare and review license applications and other filings necessary to comply with export and sanctions laws.
• Perform commodity jurisdiction and classification.
• Review, draft, and manage contractual language relating to trade controls and sanctions law.
• Manage special projects and other compliance program continuous improvement initiatives. 

Qualifications 

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school
• Must be a member in good standing of the bar of at least one US state or territory and have the ability to register as in- house counsel as necessary.
• Minimum of 8 years of professional experience in Global Trade Compliance, preferably with some in-house experience.
• Direct experience with US and EU export licensing requirements and global trade controls operations.
• Demonstrated advanced knowledge of international trade regulations and practices, including the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR).
• Significant understanding of US Customs regulations
• Proven experience in directing and strengthening global trade compliance processes and procedures; building trade controls governance infrastructure. 
• Pragmatic, business-oriented, approach to challenges and competing priorities and deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to engage business line leaders to drive implementation of new procedures and legal requirements in a timely manner.
• Sound judgment and unwavering ethics.
• Eligible to obtain and maintain a US government personal security clearance.
• Demonstrated ability to work across functions to provide timely and effective legal advice. 
• Ability and willingness to travel up to 25% travel time, depending on position location. 
• This role requires access to US export-controlled information. If applicable, final offers will be contingent on ability to obtain authorization for access to US export-controlled information from the US Government. 

Functional/Technical Knowledge, Skills & Abilities: 

• Superior organizational, analytical and communication skills, oral and written, and ability to manage multiple effo