Trade Compliance Specialist
Communications & Power IndustriesShaping the future through innovation and discovery!
With a history spanning more than seven decades, Communications & Power Industries’ thousands of products have impacted people’s lives in numerous unseen ways every day. Our highly engineered products serve as the backbone of modern-day commercial and military communications systems, assist in diagnosing medical conditions, empower scientific discoveries and space exploration, and much more.
CPI is headquartered in Plano, Texas and is a global manufacturer of electronic components and subsystems. We have manufacturing locations in the United States, Canada, Europe, and Asia. With a heritage of technological excellence, our team serves customers in the communications, defense, medical, industrial, and scientific markets.
YOUR DAY TO DAY:
We are seeking a detail-oriented and knowledgeable Trade Compliance Specialist to join our team. The Trade Compliance Specialist is responsible for ensuring compliance with CGP, Canadian, U.S., and international export regulations governing the movement of products, technology, software, and technical data. This role supports both commercial and defense-related business activities by reviewing transactions, managing licensing activities, conducting due diligence, and advising internal stakeholders on trade compliance requirements.
The position serves as a subject matter expert in export controls, sanctions compliance, classification, and trade operations. The successful candidate will collaborate cross-functionally with logistics, engineering, contracts, program management, supply chain, and external regulatory agencies to support compliant and efficient global trade activities.
This role offers opportunities for professional growth and development within a collaborative and evolving global trade compliance environment.
Export Compliance
- Review proposed export transactions to determine applicable licensing and regulatory requirements under Canadian and U.S. export control and sanctions regulations.
- Conduct restricted/denied party screening and perform due diligence reviews of customers, suppliers, freight forwarders, and other third parties.
- Determine export jurisdiction and classification of hardware, software, and technology under applicable regulations.
- Prepare, submit, and manage export license applications, permits, agreements, and exemptions with applicable government authorities.
- Coordinate and assist U.S. counterparts and regulatory agencies regarding export licensing, sanctions, embargoes and compliance requirements.
Regulatory Expertise
- Provide guidance on regulations including:
- Canadian Export and Import Permits Act (EIPA)
- Export Control List (ECL)
- Area Control List (ACL)
- Special Economic Measures Act (SEMA)
- U.S. EAR, ITAR, OFAC, and Foreign Trade Regulations
- Monitor changes in trade regulations and assess impacts to business operations and compliance programs.
- Maintain knowledge of evolving Canadian, U.S., and international trade compliance requirements affecting company products and operations.
Trade Operations & Documentation
- Maintain export documentation and records in accordance with regulatory and corporate retention requirements.
- Interact as needed with freight forwarders, customs brokers, logistics providers, and regulatory agencies to support trade compliance activities and shipment execution.
- Track and manage activities against open licenses, permits, and exemptions.
- Support export declarations and trade documentation processes.
- Obtain and maintain required End User and End Use records for all exports.
Program & Process Support
- Assist in developing, implementing, and maintaining trade compliance policies, procedures, and internal controls.
- Support internal audits, compliance reviews, and corrective actions.
- Identify process improvement opportunities and support automation or system enhancement initiatives.
- Provide trade compliance training and guidance to internal stakeholders.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Work closely with engineering, contracts, supply chain, operations, logistics, and program teams to resolve transactional and operational compliance issues.
- Support customer and supplier inquiries related to export/import compliance matters.
- Serve as a liaison with Canadian and U.S. regulatory authorities when required.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
YOU ARE THE RIGHT PERSON FOR THIS JOB IF YOU HAVE:
Required Skills
- Strong knowledge of Canadian and U.S. export control, sanctions, and other relevant international trade compliance regulations.
- Experience with export licensing, and restricted party screening processes.
- Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills with high attention to detail and accuracy.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to collaborate effectively across cross-functional teams and external stakeholders.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, ERP systems, and trade compliance software platforms.
Education & Experience
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Business, International Trade, Supply Chain, Law, Engineering, or related field.
- Minimum 5–8 years of experience in export/import compliance, trade compliance, or global trade operations within aerospace, defense, electronics, manufacturing, or other regulated industries.
- Experience supporting international shipping, customs documentation, export classifications, licensing, permit management, and restricted party screening activities
- Working knowledge of Canadian and U.S. export control regulations, including: EIPA, ECL, SEMA, EAR, ITAR, OFAC
- Familiarity with Controlled Goods Program (CGP) requirements.
- Systems experience with NEXCOL (New Export Control OnLine)
- Professional certifications such as CTCS, or similar are considered an asset.
- Must be a Canadian Permanent Resident (RP).
Must be able to meet all CGP requirements.
WHAT WE OFFER:
Whether you are a seasoned professional or just embarking on your career, CPI is an ideal place to expand your knowledge and expertise. We cultivate a healthy, dynamic, and team-oriented environment that empowers our employees to develop, create and deliver innovative, reliable technology solutions to power, connect, protect, and support a better tomorrow.
We offer our employees an attractive compensation package with competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits, including health and wellness programs, career development, generous retirement savings plan with company match and more!
WHO WE ARE:
We value the unique and diverse skills, qualities, and backgrounds that each employee brings to CPI, and we respect each employee as an integral member of our growing team. CPI is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all current and prospective employees, as well as to promoting a culture of inclusion and respect for everyone. We celebrate the innovation that diversity creates in the work environment, and we recognize that each employee brings their own unique capabilities, experiences, and perspectives to the organization. It is this variety that adds value to our teams, as well as to our stakeholders. We welcome and encourage applicants to reach their full potential with us.
CPI is proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, sexual stereotypes, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability or other applicable legally protected characteristics.
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