At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead trade compliance for the UK and Europe, ensuring adherence to export regulations.
- Company: Join Shield AI, a cutting-edge defence-tech company dedicated to protecting lives.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, comprehensive rewards package, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with a focus on innovation and career advancement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in defence technology while navigating international trade compliance.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in trade compliance with strong knowledge of UK and EU regulations.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems.
Its products include Hivemind autonomy software, V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, and Aechelon simulation and synthetic reality technologies.
With offices and facilities across the U.
S., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, Shield AI’s technology actively supports operations worldwide.
- For more information, visit www. shield. ai . Follow Shield AI on
- Linked In ,
- X ,
- Instagram , and
You Tube .
Job Description
Will serves as the regional trade compliance leader for the UK and Europe, providing strategic oversight and execution of the company's international trade compliance program in support of critical defense.
This position is responsible for developing and implementing regional trade compliance strategies, ensuring compliance with UK and international export control regulations, sanctions, licensing requirements, and other applicable trade laws throughout the full program lifecycle.
The Trade Compliance Manager partners closely with Engineering, Program Management, Legal, Business Development, Supply Chain, and government stakeholders to enable business objectives while mitigating export compliance risk.
The role provides leadership across multiple concurrent, high-priority international programs, advises senior leadership on trade compliance matters, and drives consistent compliance processes across the region.
What you'll do
- Act as the primary trade compliance point of contact for the UK and support regional compliance activities across Europe.
- Review, prepare, submit, and manage export authorizations through UK systems (e. g., SPIRE), including SIELs, OIELs, and OGELs, and support European licensing requirements where applicable.
- Classify products, software, and technical data under UK Strategic Export Control Lists
- Provide guidance on European export control considerations, including intra-EU transfers and applicable member state regulations.
- Partner with engineering teams to understand system functionality, data flows, and technical specifications to support accurate classifications and licensing strategies.
- Develop and maintain classification and licensing documentation, including rationale and audit-ready records.
- Provide clear, actionable guidance on export control requirements, restrictions, and compliance strategies across UK and European business activities.
- Implement and manage trade compliance procedures, including visitor controls, international travel guidance, and restricted party screening in accordance with UK, EU, and applicable international regulations.
- Review export authorizations to ensure alignment with UK government requirements (e. g., ECJU), relevant European authorities, and internal policies.
- Monitor regulatory developments in UK and European export controls, ensuring ongoing compliance and organizational awareness.
- Build and improve scalable internal processes and tools to streamline classification and licensing workflows across the region.
Required qualifications
- 5+ years of experience in trade compliance, customs, or export control within aerospace, defense, or advanced technology industries.
- Experience with UK export control regulations and/or US export control frameworks (ITAR and EAR), including licensing and classification.
- Experience managing export authorizations and interacting with regulatory bodies such as the UK Export Control Joint Unit (ECJU), EU member state authorities, and/or US State and Commerce Departments.
- Strong working knowledge of export classification methodologies, jurisdiction determinations, and licensing workflows.
- Understanding of European export control regimes and cross-border transfer considerations within Europe.
- Experience collaborating with engineering and program teams to translate technical information into compliant export classifications and documentation.
- Bachelor’s degree in Law, Business, International Trade, Supply Chain Management, or a related field.
- Excellent analytical, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
Preferred qualifications
- Experience liaising with UK Government departments.
- Experience supporting programs involving defense technologies, dual-use items, or autonomous systems.
- Exposure to compliance operations across multiple jurisdictions (EU, US, APJ).
- Relevant professional certifications (e. g., Certified Export Specialist, Certified Customs Specialist, or equivalent).
- #LI-SL1
- #LD
Our international teammates receive a comprehensive total rewards package aligned to your country office location.
For full details on compensation and benefits, please consult your talent acquisition partner.
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information.
These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment.
Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans.
If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
Trade Compliance Manager (R5351) in London employer: Shield AI
At Shield AI, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration in the heart of Greater London. Our employees benefit from continuous growth opportunities, competitive compensation, and the chance to contribute to groundbreaking technologies in the defense sector, all while enjoying the dynamic lifestyle that London has to offer.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Trade Compliance Manager (R5351) in London
✨Join Compliance Communities
Get involved in compliance and risk communities — both online and offline. Look for forums, LinkedIn groups, or even local meetups where compliance pros hang out. You never know who might drop a job opportunity your way!
✨Attend Industry Conferences
Keep an eye out for compliance and risk management conferences and workshops in your area. These events are a goldmine for networking, and they often have job boards or recruiters on-site looking for new talent. Plus, it’s a chance to learn what's trending in the field.
✨Leverage Your University Career Services
If you’ve recently graduated or are still studying, head over to your university's career services. Many companies, including those in compliance, actively recruit fresh talent through these services, so make sure you tap into that resource.
✨Showcase Your Knowledge Online
Start writing articles or blog posts about compliance topics that interest you. Share them on platforms like LinkedIn to demonstrate your knowledge and passion. This not only builds your presence in the field but can also catch the attention of companies like Shield AI looking for candidates who are engaged and informed.
We think you need these skills to ace Trade Compliance Manager (R5351) in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Understanding of Compliance:In the compliance-risk field, it's super important to showcase your understanding of regulations and risk management frameworks. Highlight any relevant coursework, certifications (like ICA or AML), or even projects that demonstrate your knowledge and commitment to this area. We want to see how you can navigate this complex landscape!
Quantify Your Achievements:When detailing your experience, try to quantify your achievements. For example, if you've previously worked on a project that improved compliance metrics or reduced risk exposure, give us the numbers! This data-driven approach really stands out to hiring managers in compliance-risk roles.
Tailor Your CV to Reflect Relevant Skills:Make sure your CV highlights skills that are particularly relevant to compliance, like attention to detail, analytical thinking, and report writing. Ensure these are easy to spot – consider using bullet points to break down your responsibilities and achievements for maximum impact!
Craft a Motivating Cover Letter:In your cover letter, let us know why you’re excited about the compliance-risk role at Shield AI. Share what motivates you about compliance, and how you believe you can contribute to our mission. This is your chance to showcase not only your skills but also your passion for this important field!
How to prepare for a job interview at Shield AI
✨Master the Regulations
Brush up on key compliance regulations relevant to the industry you're applying to. Familiarising yourself with specific laws and frameworks used in your field will give you an edge during technical questions. Show that you’re not just aware of them but can also apply them—think real-life scenarios!
✨Show Your Analytical Skills
Compliance roles really focus on analytical skills, so be prepared for case studies or situational questions during the interview. We've got to demonstrate how we approach risk assessments or compliance audits, possibly drawing on examples from past experiences or university projects. Bring some thoughtful case scenarios to discuss!
✨Know Your Tools
Get comfortable with commonly used compliance software and tools. Familiarity with platforms like RSA or MetricStream can really impress during your interview, as it shows you're ready to hit the ground running. If you’ve had any experience with them, make sure to highlight that!
✨Align with Company Culture
Since it's a full-time position, show your long-term commitment and interest in the company’s mission and values. Dive into how your ethics and professional philosophy align with Shield AI’s stance on compliance. A shared vision can really resonate with interviewers looking for fit as much as skill!
