Job Description

Coherent Aerospace & Defense, Inc. is seeking a seasoned compliance professional to lead our trade compliance initiatives across our national operation. This role requires in-depth knowledge of export regulations, customs regulations, trade policy interpretation, OFAC rules, and other compliance frameworks. The successful candidate will advise executive leadership, drive strategic compliance programs, and serve as a key liaison with external regulatory authorities.

This is a leadership role offering substantial influence over the company's trade compliance protocols. The successful candidate will shape strategic direction, foster regulatory resilience, and both develop and evolve a best-in-class process for legal compliance.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

Advise internal stakeholders on legal obligations under U.S. export laws and regulations, including the Export Administration Regulations and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations.
Lead and manage responses to regulatory inquiries, audits, and enforcement actions, including coordination of voluntary disclosures, post-shipment verifications, and post-entry adjustments.
Analyze trade legislation, CBP rulings, and emerging policies to assess business impact.
Oversee legal review of import documentation, SOPs, and control frameworks across multiple jurisdictions to best manage the company’s risks and opportunities.
Collaborate with Sales, Supply Chain, Legal, Security, and Logistics teams to ensure operational compliance and risk mitigation.
Guide legal aspects of export licensing, Technology Assistance Agreements, and Manufacturing Assistance Agreements.
Establish and maintain protocols for determining EAR/ITAR applicability, product and component classification under the CCL or USML, and experience navigating CCATS and CJ classification determination processes.
Develop and deliver training on trade compliance laws and risk management protocols for department colleagues and other internal business units.
Represent the company in front of regulatory agencies such as CBP, DOS, and DOC.

Education & Experience

Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school and active license to practice law preferred; compliance professionals with other educational credentials will be considered.
8+ years of legal experience in international trade, customs law, export/import compliance, with in-house experience a plus.
Demonstrated expertise in export licensing, Technology Assistance Agreements, Manufacturing Assistance Agreements, and other DECCs and SNAP-R licensing vehicles.
Strong command of U.S. and international trade regulations, CBP protocols, and import operations.
Experience leveraging automated systems to enhance and simplify compliance programs, including embedding compliance checks into company ERP systems.
Exceptional legal research and writing skills, with strategic business acumen and leadership experience.
Experience leading export compliance audits, compliance investigations, and regulatory filings
Proven track record leading cross-departmental compliance projects.
Familiarity with ACE portal usage, internal control mapping, and trade systems integration.
Ability to synthesize legal complexity into clear operational guidance across functions.
High degree of professionalism, organizational agility, and mentorship capability.
Experience with HTS classification, customs valuation (including first sale and fallback methods), and country-of-origin determinations.
Preferred experience in the aerospace & defense industry, especially in the field of optics, photonics, and lasers (ECCN Category 6, USML Category XII and XVIII).
Preferred experience in other compliance disciplines (anti-bribery and corruption; FAR/DFARs; EHS; corporate governance; NISPOM).

Skills

Excellent verbal and written communication skills coupled with the ability to actively listen.
Ability to collaborate with others and work cross-functionally.
Ability to effectively network and build relationships across all locations and levels of and positions within the organization.
Ability to quickly understand the organization and how it functions, and apply that understanding to projects and assignments.
A self-starter who proactively identifies opportunities to improve business and operational processes/procedures with innovative solutions.
Demonstrated sound judgement and independent decision-making.
Ability to effectively navigate conflict and resolve issues.
Ability to maintain trust and confidentiality.

Working Conditions

Working conditions typical of a climate controlled and professional office environment.
This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.
Ability to travel domestically when necessary.
This role works on a hybrid schedule and requires working in the office a minimum of 3 days per week.
Flexibility to work outside of local business hours to accommodate attendance in meetings in other time zones.

Physical Requirements

Ability to sit for an extended period of time
May require travel up to 25% of time

Safety Requirements

All employees are required to attend scheduled training, follow the site EHS procedures and Coherent Corp. EHS standards. This includes the use of proper protective equipment (PPE) as required by the job responsibilities.

Managers will ensure that all safety and environmental procedures are followed consistently. They will ensure that risk assessments are performed, proper training, work instructions, required PPE is available, and will monitor compliance.

All employees are required to follow the site EHS procedures and Coherent Corp. Corporate EHS standards.

Quality And Environmental Responsibilities

Depending on location, this position may be responsible for the execution and maintenance of the ISO 9000, 9001, 14001 and/or other applicable standards that may apply to the relevant roles and responsibilities within the Quality Management System and Environmental Management System.

Culture Commitment

Ensure adherence to company’s values (ICARE) in all aspects of your position at Coherent:

Integrity – Create an Environment of Trust

Collaboration – Innovate Through the Sharing of Ideas

Accountability – Own the Process and the Outcome

Respect – Recognize the Value in Everyone

Enthusiasm – Find a Sense of Purpose in Work

Coherent is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

To conform to U.S. Government export regulations (ITAR), applicant must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8. U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State."

About Us

Coherent is a global leader in lasers, engineered materials and networking components. We are a vertically integrated manufacturing company that develops innovative products for diversified applications in the industrial, optical communications, military, life sciences, semiconductor equipment, and consumer markets. Coherent provides a comprehensive career development platform within an environment that challenges employees to perform at their best, while rewarding excellence and hard-work through a competitive compensation program. It's an exciting opportunity to work for a company that offers stability, longevity and growth. Come Join Us!

Note to recruiters and employment agencies: We will not pay for unsolicited resumes from recruiters and employment agencies unless we have a signed agreement and have required assistance, in writing, for a specific opening.

About The Team

II-VI Aerospace & Defense is a high technology company, offering careers in offices and campuses in California, Colorado, Florida, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. We work with emerging technology in areas of atmospheric sensing and imaging, adaptive optics, optical communications, coherent beam combining, and numerical performance analysis of atmospheric optics systems. II-VI A&D has recently been awarded several new government contracts and we are offering opportunities to leverage your technical experience and interpersonal skills for something more than a simple paycheck. If this sounds like the type of environment you are seeking at this point in your career, and if your background meets these qualifications, please apply. We will offer a competitive salary and benefits. Since II-VI A&D is a rapidly expanding organization, it means that significant opportunities exists for career advancement and professional development.

Coherent Corp.

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