Senior Compliance Manager

• Washington, District of Columbia, United States
• Operations
• $135 - $175 per year

Hydrosat is a space and data analytics company leveraging thermal satellite imagery and advanced geospatial intelligence to address some of the world’s most pressing challenges. By combining proprietary satellite technology, Earth observation data and advanced analytics, Hydrosat delivers actionable insights to customers across agriculture, water management, infrastructure, government and defense.

As a rapidly growing, internationally operating company, Hydrosat is expanding its satellite capabilities, commercial activities and government partnerships.

To support this growth, we are looking for an experienced Senior Compliance Manager to strengthen our regulatory compliance capabilities and help ensure that our technologies, operations and commercial activities meet applicable legal and regulatory requirements. As Senior Compliance Manager, you will play a central role in developing, implementing and overseeing Hydrosat’s regulatory and corporate compliance framework.

Your responsibilities will span export controls, satellite and remote sensing regulations, government and defense-related compliance, international trade restrictions and broader corporate compliance obligations. You will work closely with Legal, Engineering, Product, Commercial, Security and executive leadership to ensure regulatory requirements are understood, appropriately implemented and integrated into business operations.

Responsibilities

Lead regulatory compliance activities across satellite operations and remote sensing, including applicable FCC, NOAA and European regulatory frameworks, licensing, authorizations and reporting obligations.

Lead export control and international trade compliance processes under applicable ITAR, EAR, EU dual-use and sanctions regimes, including classifications, licensing, screening and controlled technology/data transfers.

Advise Engineering, Mission Operations, Product and Commercial teams on regulatory implications of satellite missions, technology development, data distribution and international customer engagements.

Support government and defense business by assessing relevant contractual, security and controlled-information obligations, working with Legal and Information Security.

Support foreign ownership, investment screening, and government programme eligibility assessments related to international expansion, new entities, and strategic partnerships.

Develop and maintain company-wide compliance policies, Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) frameworks, risk assessments and internal controls, including business ethics and anti-corruption measures; coordinate training, regulatory monitoring and external legal advisers as needed.

Regulatory Calendar & Corporate Compliance:

Establish and maintain a centralized compliance calendar across all Hydrosat entities, tracking corporate registrations, statutory filings, license renewals, regulatory reporting obligations, and applicable deadlines at national, state, and local levels. Coordinate with Finance, Legal, Operations, and external advisers to ensure timely compliance.

Develop and implement risk-based KYC and third-party due diligence processes covering customers, resellers, suppliers, and consultants, including onboarding, screening, and escalation procedures.

Support ESG compliance initiatives, including applicable sustainability reporting, environmental and governance requirements, working closely with Finance, Legal, and other relevant stakeholders.

Job requirements

7+ years of experience in regulatory compliance or export controls within the space, aerospace, satellite, defense or similarly regulated technology industries.

Strong working knowledge of US export controls (ITAR/EAR), international trade restrictions and practical implementation of compliance controls.

Experience with commercial space, satellite communications or remote sensing regulation, with the ability to navigate licensing and regulatory authority interactions.

Proven ability to independently establish or improve compliance processes and partner effectively with technical, legal and commercial stakeholders.

Clear communication, pragmatic judgment and fluency in English; degree in Law, Compliance, Engineering or a related field.

Nice to Have

Direct FCC and/or NOAA licensing experience and familiarity with Luxembourg/EU space regulatory frameworks.

Experience with government or defense contracts, FAR/DFARS, and related security or cybersecurity requirements.

Experience implementing or supporting Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) frameworks in a growing, internationally operating organization.

Experience scaling a compliance function in an international technology company.

Experience managing multi-jurisdictional corporate compliance obligations, including statutory filings, regulatory registrations, and coordination with external service providers.

Familiarity with KYC, third-party due diligence, foreign investment screening, or ESG compliance frameworks.