Global Trade Compliance Counsel

Summary

The Global Trade Counsel will own the company’s global trade compliance program end to end and serve as our dedicated in-house trade attorney. This role will advise on export controls and build practical processes for international development and deployment of AI software. Alongside legal colleagues, the Global Trade Counsel will also support commercial contracting, government contracts, and other legal matters, with close access to leadership and the opportunity to shape the growing legal function.

Responsibilities

• Program Ownership: Build and own the company’s global trade compliance program covering export controls, sanctions, deemed exports, and imports, including policies, internal controls, recordkeeping, and reporting. Translate legal requirements into practical business processes.
• Classification and Product Advice: Lead jurisdiction and classification determinations for software, source code, technical data, hardware, and third-party components under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Export Administration Regulations (EAR). Keep records current and advise on product changes, end uses, and deployments.
• Licensing and Government Engagement: Manage export licenses, technical assistance agreements, registrations, and related authorizations, including exceptions, exemptions, conditions, and reporting. Engage with State, Commerce, Treasury, and other agencies on licensing, classification, advisory opinions, and regulatory interpretations.
• Technology Access and Transfers: Implement technology control plans and access controls with engineering, IT, security, and HR. Advise on foreign-person access, cloud infrastructure, international collaboration, and cross-border transfers of software, technical data, model weights, and computer hardware.
• Screening and Transaction Diligence: Own restricted party screening, end-use and end-user diligence, and red flag escalation. Resolve export and sanctions questions with outside counsel as needed and document transaction decisions.
• Training and Regulatory Developments: Train engineers, sales, and leadership. Monitor U.S. and relevant foreign trade regulations, including developments affecting AI and advanced computing, and implement program changes.
• Audits and Investigations: Conduct audits and risk assessments; lead investigations; and manage corrective actions and voluntary disclosures with the legal lead and outside counsel. Report compliance metrics and material risks to leadership.
• Commercial and Government Contracts: Draft, review, and negotiate customer, partner, and vendor agreements. Advise on export terms, flow-downs, license contingencies, and government contract requirements, including FAR and DFARS provisions, with legal colleagues and specialists.
• AI and Automation: Use approved AI tools and automation for research, drafting, screening, and matter tracking. Build reliable compliance workflows while protecting sensitive information and exercising independent legal judgment.
• Other Legal Matters: Support product legal, corporate governance, employment, intellectual property, procurement, disputes, and other matters as needs arise. Coordinate business teams and outside counsel to complete assigned matters.

Requirements

• JD from an ABA-accredited law school and active membership in good standing in at least one U.S. state bar, with eligibility to practice in-house in California.
• 5+ years of post-JD experience in export controls, including at least 3 years at a law firm.
• Strong knowledge of ITAR and EAR, with hands-on experience in classification, licensing, regulatory advice, and applying export controls to software and technical data.
• Ability to own a compliance program, design effective controls, and translate complex requirements into clear, practical advice for business teams.
• Strong drafting, research, analytical, and communication skills; sound judgment in managing risk, competing deadlines, and matters requiring escalation.
• Enough technical fluency to understand how AI products connect to business systems, use data, and take actions, and to identify where controlled technology sits in a software environment.
• Strong ownership, initiative, discretion, and integrity; ability to protect sensitive information and learn new areas of law quickly.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel, Google Workspace, and legal document and matter management tools; ability to use approved AI tools effectively and responsibly.
• Ability to work on-site full-time in our Los Angeles office.
• This role requires access to U.S. export-controlled information.
• Candidates must be a U.S. person (i.e., a citizen of the United States, a permanent resident, or a legal asylee or refugee) OR be eligible to receive approval from the U.S. Government to work with U.S. export-controlled information.

Nice to Have

• Expertise in U.S. economic sanctions and OFAC matters, or knowledge of non-U.S. export, sanctions, and other trade compliance regimes.
• Experience in AI, software, aerospace, defense, or other technology industries, including international engineering and deployment operations.
• Experience with commercial contracting, government or defense contracts, and FAR and DFARS requirements.
• Experience with agency advisory requests, investigations, voluntary disclosures, or customs and import matters.
• Hands-on experience implementing legal technology, building automations, or improving workflows in a growing company.