Senior Trade Compliance Officer

Belfast (Hybrid, 3 days onsite)

50,000-60,000

Are you experienced in export controls and looking to step into a senior, operational role within a high-performing compliance function? A leading engineering and technology organisation is seeking a Senior Trade Compliance Officer to strengthen their Belfast team.

Working as a senior member of the Trade Compliance function, you’ll play a key role in ensuring the business meets UK and US export control rules, UK Customs requirements, and wider trade regulations. This is a hands-on, advisory role supporting complex projects, technical teams, and leadership stakeholders.

What you’ll be doing

• Acting as a key point of contact for internal teams, providing day-to-day operational trade compliance guidance.
• Supporting the business and Head of Trade Compliance with analysis and advice on a broad range of export control matters, including those relating to large or technically complex programmes.
• Identifying potential compliance risks and offering informed recommendations to stakeholders.
• Leading product and technology classification activities and advising engineering teams when classification expertise is needed.
• Making licence assessments independently and offering support to colleagues on their own determinations.
• Reviewing business and compliance considerations to provide balanced, informed advice.
• Contributing to trade compliance projects and acting as a subject-matter resource.
• Maintaining accurate documentation to support audits and regulatory checks.
• Reporting potential violations and supporting investigations, audits, and voluntary disclosure processes.
• Delivering or contributing to training sessions to build compliance awareness across the business.
• Playing an active role in developing and embedding local trade compliance processes, tools, and policies.

What you’ll bring

• Strong working knowledge of UK and US export control regulations and UK Customs rules.
• Experience dealing with internal stakeholders at various levels.
• 3–5 years’ experience in import/export controls or trade compliance.

Desirable experience

• Background in defence, aerospace, or dual-use environments.
• Awareness of EU export control frameworks.

Security Requirements

This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain Security Clearance (SC). Full SC typically requires 5 years’ UK residency, although in some cases 3 years may be acceptable with additional checks.

What’s on offer

• Competitive salary
• Annual performance bonus
• Up to 7 matched pension
• 28 days holiday plus bank holidays
• Life assurance (2x salary)
• Employee assistance programme & mental wellbeing support
• Access to retail discounts
• Gym membership schemes
• Strong internal mobility and professional development opportunities
• Hybrid working with flexibility for work–life balance