Director of Compliance

Principal Compliance Leader – Aerospace & Defense Manufacturing

Location: Los Angeles, CA | Denver, CO | Seattle, WA

Employment Type: Full-Time, Direct Hire

Salary: $160,000–$190,000 Base + Competitive Equity

Travel: 60–80% to manufacturing facilities

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced Principal Compliance Leader with a strong background in aerospace and defense manufacturing compliance, particularly in ITAR/EAR export controls, CMMC 2.0, NIST SP 800-171, and DFARS requirements.

This individual will take ownership of developing, implementing, and enforcing compliance standards across multiple manufacturing facilities, ensuring operations meet applicable federal regulations, defense contracting requirements, and cybersecurity standards.

The ideal candidate has direct experience building compliance programs, conducting assessments, implementing corrective actions, and partnering with operational and technical teams to establish sustainable compliance practices.

This is a highly visible, hands-on leadership opportunity for someone who thrives in an entrepreneurial environment and is comfortable building scalable compliance infrastructure as the company grows through acquisitions.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and enforce ITAR/EAR export control compliance programs across multiple aerospace and defense manufacturing facilities.
• Lead cybersecurity compliance initiatives involving CMMC 2.0, NIST SP 800-171, and DFARS requirements.
• Establish policies and procedures to protect controlled technical data and Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI).
• Conduct compliance audits, risk assessments, gap analyses, and corrective action planning.
• Partner with IT, engineering, and manufacturing teams to implement and maintain regulatory compliance standards.
• Support compliance assessments and integration of newly acquired manufacturing facilities.
• Develop employee training, compliance documentation, and standardized procedures across multiple sites.
• Oversee broader regulatory and operational compliance initiatives, including EHS/OSHA as needed.

Required Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in regulatory compliance, export controls, or cybersecurity compliance, preferably within aerospace or defense manufacturing.
• Hands-on experience establishing and enforcing ITAR/EAR export compliance programs.
• Experience implementing or driving CMMC 2.0, NIST SP 800-171, and/or DFARS cybersecurity compliance.
• Strong knowledge of defense contracting regulations, controlled technical data, and compliance requirements.
• Experience conducting regulatory audits, risk assessments, and developing corrective action plans.
• Proven ability to build and manage compliance programs across manufacturing operations.
• Strong leadership, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• U.S. citizenship required due to export-controlled work.
• Willingness to travel approximately 60–80%.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience managing both export controls and defense cybersecurity compliance programs.
• Background in aerospace, defense, precision machining, or multi-site manufacturing.
• Familiarity with DDTC, BIS, DCSA, and federal regulatory requirements.
• Experience with CMMC assessment readiness, SSPs, POA&Ms, and NIST security controls.
• Experience supporting acquisitions or establishing compliance programs from the ground up.
• Relevant certifications in export compliance, CMMC, CISSP, or CISM.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

This is an opportunity to play a key leadership role within a growing organization that is transforming American manufacturing through advanced technology, automation, and operational innovation.

The selected candidate will have the opportunity to build scalable compliance programs, influence safety and regulatory strategy, and work directly with leadership across a growing network of manufacturing facilities.