U

United Airlines

Flies passengers and cargo worldwide from US hubs

Trade Compliance Specialist - Trade Compliance

Full-TimePosted on 10/15/2026
$81.8k - $106.6k+ Bonus + Long-term incentive compensation awards
Mid
Bachelor's
Arlington Heights, IL, USA
In Person
Risk & ComplianceRegulatory Compliance & Ethics
No H1B Sponsorship

About the job

Requirements
  • A bachelor's degree or four years of relevant work experience in Business, International Trade, Global Supply Chain Management, or a related field.
  • Experience with U.S. import regulations (19 CFR), International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Export Administration Regulations (EAR), and regulations administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).
  • At least three years in customs or international trade.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
  • Strong interpersonal and written communication skills.
  • Attention to detail.
  • Self-motivation and an improvement-oriented approach.
  • Willingness to travel up to 10% as needed.
  • Must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer without sponsorship.
  • Successful completion of an interview is required to meet the job qualification.
  • Reliable, punctual attendance is an essential function of the position.
Responsibilities
  • Execute trade-related activities to maintain United’s ongoing compliance with U.S. and foreign laws and regulations.
  • Participate in and, where appropriate, lead projects or initiatives of varying complexities.
  • Identify procedural improvements to United’s trade compliance activities and coordinate implementation with relevant stakeholders.
  • Assist with cross-functional projects related to trade compliance activities, transactions, and obligations.
  • Interface with regulatory authorities, including U.S. Customs and Border Protection, His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs, the Canada Border Services Agency, and other regulatory bodies as required.
  • Prepare trade-related applications and responses to regulator requests in coordination with Legal.
  • Generate, maintain, and monitor government import/export declarations, certifications, and accompanying other government agency requests.
  • Coordinate with the trade compliance team and internal stakeholders to understand business objectives and develop import and export authorizations for efficient, timely, and compliant transfer of technology, technical data, hardware, and services.
  • Review and audit United’s import and export compliance policies and procedures to maintain compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
  • Identify and communicate potential gaps to the trade compliance team and recommend and implement improvements.
  • Manage and maintain records in accordance with government regulatory requirements and internal policies.
  • Conduct training and provide operational advice on compliant execution of trade and sanctions regulations.
  • Track status and provide reports and metrics associated with trade compliance activities.
Desired Qualifications
  • Experience with trade-related licenses and exceptions.
  • Knowledge of ACE, DECCS, SNAP-R, and/or OCR EASE.
  • Experience applying international trade-related regulations, including ITAR, EAR, and U.S. import regulations, in high-volume environments.
  • Experience preparing and administering Technical Assistance Agreements (TAAs) and Manufacturing Licensing Agreements (MLAs).
  • Tariff and/or export control classification ability and experience.
  • Audit and/or investigation knowledge and experience.
  • Global trade management software development or implementation skills.
  • Licensed Customs Broker.
  • At least five years in customs or international trade.
  • Knowledge of and experience in the aerospace or airline industry.
  • Ability to read, understand, and correctly apply complex regulatory text and legal rulings.

About the company

United Airlines flies passengers and cargo across the United States and to destinations around the world, running a hub network that spans Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Newark, San Francisco, Washington Dulles and Guam. It was a founding member of Star Alliance, the global airline partnership that links its routes and frequent-flyer benefits with carriers such as Lufthansa and Air Canada. Travelers book seats in economy, premium and Polaris business cabins, and United earns money from fares, bag and seat fees, cargo, and its MileagePlus loyalty program, which sells miles to card partners. United traces its roots to Varney Air Lines, which began flying airmail in 1926, and is based in Chicago.

Company Size

10,001+

Company Stage

IPO

Headquarters

Chicago, Illinois

Founded

1926

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Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Premium travel fuels growth: premium revenue rose 16% in Q2 2026 as total revenue reached $17.7 billion.
  • Hiring keeps expanding: United had 117,500 employees by June 2026, up 5.6% from a year earlier.
  • Cabin crew pay is climbing: the flight attendant deal reached in March 2026 lifts base pay 31% on average.

What critics are saying

  • Fuel prices squeeze profits: in July 2026, United expected nearly $6 billion more fuel expense for the year.
  • Mechanics' labor fight drags on: United technicians rejected a Teamsters tentative deal 53.5% to 46.5% in September 2026.
  • Newark growth was capped: the FAA limited the airport to 72 hourly flights from January through October 2026.

What makes United Airlines unique

  • United gives loyalty members free fast WiFi: it targets Starlink on nearly 1,000 aircraft by end of 2026.
  • Its Pacific reach extends past Hawaii: United runs a hub on Guam, a US island territory near Asia.
  • United dominates New York's Newark airport: it runs about 70% of the flights there.

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Benefits

  • Health Insurance
  • Dental Insurance
  • Vision Insurance
  • Life Insurance
  • Parental Leave
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Commuter
  • Paid Holidays
  • Paid Time Off

Growth & Insights and Company News

Headcount

6 month growth

11%

1 year growth

11%

2 year growth

11%
PR Newswire
Sep 24th, 2026
United Airlines receives first GTF Advantage-powered A321XLR from RTX's Pratt & Whitney

United Airlines has received its first Airbus A321XLR aircraft powered by Pratt & Whitney's GTF Advantage engines, marking the inaugural delivery of this enhanced engine variant. The GTF Advantage offers up to twice the operational lifespan of current GTF engines and provides 4-8% more takeoff thrust, enabling extended range capabilities. The engine features an advanced hot section design and remains fully compatible with existing GTF models, simplifying fleet operations. Pratt & Whitney, an RTX business, plans to transition its entire PW1100G-JM production line to the Advantage specification by 2028. Current GTF operators will be able to access 90-95% of the Advantage's durability improvements through a Hot Section Plus upgrade option, available from early next year during scheduled maintenance visits.

Yahoo Finance
Sep 17th, 2026
DISH and United Airlines bring live football to 35,000 feet via Starlink screens

DISH and United Airlines have partnered to bring live football to passengers on Starlink-enabled flights. The service launches this week on over 200 United aircraft, expanding to nearly 700 planes by February 2027. Passengers will have access to nine live sports channels including ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, ESPN2, FS1, NFL Network, and Prime Video's Thursday Night Football. The service covers both college and professional football games throughout the 2026–2027 season. The partnership uses DISH's OnStream platform, which delivers entertainment across multiple business sectors including hospitality, senior living, and aviation. The collaboration aims to keep sports fans connected to live games whilst travelling at 35,000 feet.

Yahoo Finance
Aug 27th, 2026
United trades at forward P/E of 11 as US airfares jump 25.5% and CEO predicts more rises

US airline fares rose 25.5% year over year in July, and United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby expects further gradual increases through the first half of 2027 if demand holds. United's second-quarter revenue reached $17.67 billion, up 16% year over year. Despite industry-wide fare growth, United shares have gained only 2.69% year to date, compared with Delta's 20.64% rise. United trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 11, versus Delta's 13. Kirby framed the fare increases as structural catch-up, noting airport fees have risen roughly 60% since COVID and maintenance costs remain elevated. He told investors that airfares are still 13% below 2019 levels in real terms.

Yahoo Finance
Aug 24th, 2026
United Airlines CEO targets JFK expansion and new international routes amid rising fuel costs

United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby announced plans to expand at New York's JFK Airport and increase international routes. The airline aims to acquire takeoff and landing slots from struggling carriers, potentially returning to JFK next year through its partnership with JetBlue Airways. United's second-quarter operating revenue rose 16% year over year to $17.7 billion, with revenue per available seat mile up 12.1%. The carrier raised its full-year adjusted earnings per share guidance to $9 to $11, despite expecting nearly $6 billion in additional fuel expenses for 2026. The expansion builds on United's existing network of more than 370 destinations across six continents. Shares closed at $113.17, down 18% from their June record high.

Ticker Report
Aug 19th, 2026
Wealthfront Advisers LLC Makes New $12.94 Million Investment in United Airlines Holdings Inc $UAL

Wealthfront Advisers LLC bought a new position in United Airlines Holdings Inc (NASDAQ:UAL – Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor bought 95,139 shares of the transportation company’s stock, valued at approximately $12,938,000. Other large investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Root Financial Partners LLC increased its […]