Defense Trade Technical Manager/Director

Are you interested in building a safer world through international trade? Defense Trade Solutions (DTS) is hiring! We have an opportunity for a Technical Manager/Director to join our team. This position will lead our Jurisdiction & Classification Analysis and drive Technology Security & Foreign Disclosure (TSFD) release support across complex, high‑tempo international programs. As an individual contributor, matrix leader and hands‑on technical SME, you will guide determinations spanning USML categorizations, ECCNs, CJ/CCATS filings, ITAR and EAR proviso interpretations, technology release and exportability planning—translating highly technical system parameters into clear, defensible guidance for customers and delivery teams. You’ll partner closely with internal DTS consultants and customer engineering, program leadership, and legal stakeholders to accelerate compliant market access while aligning with U.S. national security and foreign policy objectives.

Our Mission:

• To safeguard U.S. and allied military advantage with responsible, simplified defense trade and export control through a holistic, mission-driven approach.

What You Bring to DTS:

• 5-10 years of experience for Manager-level and 10-15 for Director-level in defense trade, security cooperation, technology release, foreign disclosure, technology security, export controls, engineering or defense technology positions of increasing responsibility.
• Strong, hands-on understanding of the ITAR, EAR, USML, CCL, order of review and export classification and jurisdiction analysis.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret complex technical systems and documentation.
• Direct experience with defense weapon systems and integration.
• Experience supporting technology release, foreign disclosure and exportability initiatives for DOD acquisition, IRAD or NPOR technology programs.
• Knowledge of disclosure policy, program protection, and technology‑control processes.
• Familiarity with missile technology, autonomy, ISR, software/cyber, or advanced defense technologies.
• Experience interacting with DTSA, DDTC, BIS, or related agencies.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Exceptional ability to engage C-Suite executives and senior U.S. Government officials.
• Creative, resourceful, and energized by cross-functional collaboration.
• Excellent time management skills, attention to detail, and ability to handle confidential information.
• Willingness to travel outside of Washington, DC, up to 20% of the time.

Responsibilities

1) Jurisdiction & Classification Analysis

• Lead export jurisdiction and classification analyses for defense articles, technical data, software, and dual‑use technologies.
• Develop defensible USML and ECCN classification rationales with robust supporting documentation.

Prepare and support Commodity Jurisdiction (CJ) requests and CCATS submissions as needed; maintain authoritative repositories and ensure classification consistency across customer portfolios.

2) Technology Security & Foreign Disclosure (TSFD)

• Conduct TSFD and exportability assessments to inform international program execution and technology release.
• Evaluate releasability risks related to foreign partners, program constructs, and technical data transfers; analyze program protection, disclosure limitations, and foreign access considerations.
• Shape technology release strategies aligned to U.S. national security and foreign policy; integrate exportability planning early in product and program lifecycles.

3) Export Authorization Proviso Interpretation & Analysis

• Review ITAR and EAR export authorization technical provisos to determine customer program and international business impacts.
• Partner with DTS solutions team, client engineering, program management, and legal teams to resolve technical proviso interpretation questions; translate provisos into plain‑English compliance guidance and next steps.

4) Compliance & Operational Support

• Support export licensing strategies, proviso compliance, and TSFD reviews; advise on jurisdiction/classification and TSFD impacts to authorizations and agreements.
• Maintain situational awareness of regulatory changes (ITAR/EAR/AECA, TSFD) affecting jurisdiction and classification determinations; update guidance and templates accordingly.

5) Project & Team Leadership

• Lead complex technical projects and customer engagements; drive issue resolution in “grey‑area” cases with clear, documented logic paths.
• Mentor junior staff on JCA and TSFD methodologies; advance repeatable frameworks, tooling, and best practices across the company.
• Contribute to customer presentations, executive briefings, and technical training; elevate tradecraft quality through peer reviews and playbooks.

What Success Looks Like (6-12 Months):

• Jurisdiction & Classification Analysis Authority: Act as a final review authority for escalated jurisdiction and classifications analysis; reduce cycle time for USML/ECCN determinations and improve first‑pass acceptance of CJ/CCATS submissions.
• Export Authorization Proviso Interpretations: Provide support for technical proviso reviews, standardized interpretation, proviso compliance plans, and guidance for next steps to customers.
• TSFD Release Enablement: Stand up a practical TSFD Assessment framework that accelerates releasability assessments and informs exportability plans early in program lifecycles.
• Design‑In Compliance: Advise customers on how to embed JCA checkpoints into engineering and configuration‑control workflows; minimize downstream licensing friction and proviso rework.
• DTS Interpretations: Publish concise, defensible classification rationales and interpretations that withstand regulatory and customer scrutiny for JCAs, TSFD and proviso interpretation analysis.

Mentor and train junior DTS specialists; codify repeatable templates/tooling that raise delivery quality and scalability.

Who You Are

• Embody our values of Integrity, Passion, Simplicity, Trust, Curiosity, and Stewardship to our team, our customers, and our business.
• A professional with a strong interest in foreign policy and national security.
• A self-starter who thrives in an environment that rewards ambition.
• An entrepreneur who wants to be involved in building a premier professional services firm.
• A positive person with a “Yes, if” attitude who is always on the hunt for solutions to problems.
• A reliable team player who is willing to lend a hand to teammates at a moment’s notice.
• Invested in "Work-Life Harmony" through success and fulfillment within both your career and personal life.
• Hungry for the fast pace of a start-up environment with the stability and infrastructure of an established business.
• Has an Active DoD Secret Security Clearance, Top Secret preferred.
• Resides in the Washington, DC National Capitol Region

Compensation

• Manager: $110,000–$140,000, commensurate with 5–10 years of experience, plus up to 20% annual bonus based on individual cand company performance.
• Director: $140,000–$175,000, commensurate with 10–15 years of experience, plus up to 20% annual bonus based on individual and company performance.
• Benefits: Major Benefits: Medical, Vision, Dental; 9/80 Schedule, 3 weeks accrued PTO, 10 Holidays, Accrued Sick Leave, Holiday Shut-down, $100 Quarterly Stipend for Wellness, $100 Monthly Stipend for WFH Setup, 401k with company match.