Export Control Specialist

About the Team

STARK Defense is a young, fast-growing defense-tech company operating in one of the most sensitive and security-critical industries. With our cutting-edge systems and technology, we support national and European defense capabilities. In this highly regulated environment, a reliable, secure, and high-performing IT infrastructure is critical to our daily operations.

Your Mission

As the Export Control Specialist (Germany), you will be responsible for operationalizing and maintaining the trade compliance framework for our headquarters and local operations. Working closely with the Export Control Lead and cross-functional engineering and supply chain teams, you will ensure full compliance with German, EU, US, and international trade regulations. In this role, you will act as a key technical compliance expert, supporting internal processes and seamless cross-border transfers across our international subsidiaries.

Responsibilities

• Process & Compliance Management: Execute day-to-day operations of our Internal Compliance Program (ICP) in Germany, updating local processes to match evolving EU, German (BAFA), and US trade regulations.
• Classification & Licensing: Perform precise technical control classifications (EU Dual-Use Regulation, German AL list, US EAR/ITAR) for hardware, software, and technology, and manage the end-to-end application process for export, import, and transfer licenses with BAFA and relevant authorities.
• Cross-Border & Subsidiary Alignment: Act as a central point of contact for international entities (including dynamic growth hubs like Ukraine) to harmonize classification, transfers, and export licensing workflows.
• Sanctions & Screening: Conduct transaction monitoring, end-user/end-use checks, and automated sanctions screening for international business partners, suppliers, and customers.

Required Skills

• Experience: Several years (1+) of professional experience in export control, trade compliance, or customs management within a high-tech, defense, aerospace, or highly regulated industrial sector.
• Regulatory Expertise: Deep operational understanding of German (AWG/AWV) and EU export control laws, along with practical experience navigating US export controls (EAR/ITAR) and BAFA licensing protocols.
• Technical Mindset: Strong ability to read complex engineering documentation, technical specifications, and software architectures to accurately evaluate dual-use and defense items.
• Languages: Business-fluent English and German are strictly required to effectively interface with internal international teams, technical staff, and local German regulatory authorities (BAFA).
• Startup Mindset: You thrive in a fast-paced, rapidly scaling environment, bringing a proactive, solution-oriented attitude to compliance and process creation.
• Integrity & Discretion: Exceptional judgment, highest ethical standards, and experience handling sensitive, classified, or proprietary data.
• Location: Based in or willing to relocate to Berlin, Germany.