Senior Trade Compliance Officer – Defence

About the role

This senior position supports a leading aerospace and defence manufacturer in ensuring compliance with UK and US export regulations. Working closely with engineering, logistics, supply chain and senior leadership, you will help protect the business while enabling commercial and defence programmes.

Key responsibilities

• Support site compliance with internal trade compliance policies aligned to UK and US import/export regulations.
• Manage and administer UK and US export authorisations and licensing activity.
• Assist the Trade Compliance Lead with stakeholders across engineering, logistics, sales and supply chain.
• Review export documentation and customs entries for accuracy and regulatory compliance.
• Maintain trade compliance data, including HTS classifications, country of origin and broker interactions.
• Perform denied‑party screening and support export release activities.
• Keep organised, auditable records of licences, authorisations and export documentation.
• Support internal and external audits, self‑assessments and corrective‑action activities.
• Deliver trade‑compliance awareness training across the business.
• Contribute to compliance improvement initiatives and site‑based projects.

Required profile

• Working knowledge of UK and/or US import and export regulations (ITAR/EAR knowledge beneficial).
• Experience with export licensing or strong motivation to develop in this area.
• Excellent attention to detail and organised approach to documentation.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills.

Required skills

• Knowledge of UK export regulations.
• Knowledge of US export regulations (ITAR, EAR).
• HTS classification expertise.
• Denied‑party screening capability.
• Export licensing administration.

What we offer

• Competitive salary £50,000‑£65,000 per year.
• Hybrid working model based in Chelmsford.
• Comprehensive benefits package.