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Senior Counsel, Export Compliance
Job Location:
Job Location:
San Jose, CA - USA
Yearly Salary:
USD 194000 - 247300
Yearly Salary:
Posted:
8 August 2026 (30+ days ago)
Posted:
Application Deadline:
18 December 2026
Application Deadline:
Vacancies:
1 Vacancy
Vacancies:
Job Summary
At Mercedes-Benz Research & Development North America (MBRDNA) we are committed to delivering world-class automotive technologies that push the boundaries of what is possible. Our teams of highly skilled engineers and designers use cutting-edge software and technology to enhance the driving experience and reduce environmental impact.
Mercedes-Benz Research & Development North America Inc. (MBRDNA) is seeking a senior-level Export Compliance Counsel to serve as a key advisor on export control regulations with a focus on the emerging regulatory landscape for automotive technologies. This role is ideal for an attorney with deep expertise in U.S. export controls applicable to software encryption and technology classification. The successful candidate is a business-savvy advisor who translates complex export requirements into practical actionable guidance for engineering and executive stakeholders.
You will be responsible for navigating the complexities of U.S. export control regulations including the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) from the Department of Commerces Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) and for managing the development and operation of the companys export control program. This role will work closely with engineering teams and business stakeholders to support classification licensing recordkeeping end-use/end-user diligence audits and training activities.
This is an on-site position based in San Jose CA Atlanta Georgia or Ann Arbor MI. This role may require occasional travel for team meetings and business needs.
Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. (If you are a U.S. citizen lawful permanent resident asylee or refugee sponsorship is not required to work in the United States.)
Relocation assistance (domestic or international) is not provided for this position.
Job Responsibilities:
- Partnership: Provide practical and actionable guidance on compliance with U.S. export regulations focusing heavily on the EAR and communicate that guidance clearly in executive-level meetings and cross-functional forums.
- Act as a bridge between Engineering Procurement HR IT and other stakeholders to identify and mitigate export control risks during classification early stages of product development and technology transfers (including cross-border technology transfers to countries such as China Germany and India).
- Assist with broader legal initiatives including commercial agreements product counseling litigation support and general corporate compliance as needed.
- Management: Manage the development and implementation of export control policies and programs.
- Manage daily export control operations and coordinate cross-functional activities to keep the export control program on track and compliant.
- Lead mentor and develop export compliance team members and cross-functional working groups and represent the export control function in executive-level and senior leadership meetings.
- Conduct periodic risk assessments of operations to identify vulnerabilities and close compliance gaps.
- Classification (Export Control Classification Number (ECCN) Determination): Ensure proper classification of products technology and software under the Commerce Control List (CCL).
- Analyze products technology and software to determine if items fall under EAR or the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and assign correct ECCNs as well as collect information to determine Country of Origin HTS and Schedule B codes and Supplier Declaration Forms
- Analyze software functionality to determine whether software uses develops or produces encryption which may require licensing or notifications to BIS.
- End Use/End User Verification: Prepare and collect information to verify end use and end user of commodities/services; identify and address red flags that may arise and document accordingly
- Technology Analysis: Partner with development teams such as software development teams to support compliant software releases to international customers. Review software source code object code and related technical documentation for export restrictions. Collaborate with software development and engineering teams to understand functionality for accurate classification.
- License Determination and Applications: Assess whether an export transfer or release requires a license or qualifies for a license exception (e.g. TSU ENC). Draft export license applications Advisory Opinion and Specific Authorization requests and Declaration of Conformity filings in coordination with business stakeholders and outside counsel.
- Represent the company before government agencies (e.g. BIS Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC)) manage complex licensing strategies and lead internal investigations and voluntary self-disclosures.
- Recordkeeping & Compliance Auditing: Ensure compliance with recordkeeping and documentation requirements including in SNAP-R and Compliance Application and Reporting System (CARS). Maintain accurate and complete records and conduct export audits to identify risks and ensure adherence to U.S. and foreign export regulations.
- Socialization: Monitor maintain competency and socialize updates on U.S. and foreign import and export regulations such as OFAC sanctions regulations; EAR; U.S. International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR); and U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP) regulations and industry best practices.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Minimum of 7 years of combined law firm and in-house experience with trade compliance focusing on U.S. export controls.
- Significant project and program management experience including experience leading and mentoring teams.
- Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited U.S. law school and admission to practice law and in good standing with at least one U.S. state bar.
- Expert (7 years) knowledge of trade compliance with a strong understanding of the EAR software classification licensing matters deemed exports and Foreign Ownership Control or Influence (FOCI)-structured organizations.
- Ability to manage an export control program and various projects including coordination between Engineering Procurement HR IT and other stakeholders.
- Experience leading and managing teams
- Ability to classify products technology and software under the Commerce Control List (CCL).
- Ability to submit BIS license submissions particularly with licenses for deemed exports and software classifications.
- Strong analytical research and communication skills with high attention to detail and the ability to work collaboratively with legal engineering and business teams.
- Exceptional ability to distill complex legal concepts into clear and concise business-friendly advice including practical actionable recommendations and the ability to advise and present to executive leadership.
- Proven ability to manage high-volume workflows and competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Capacity to work independently as well as part of a team in different time zones.
- Proficiency in Microsoft 365 (Outlook Teams Excel PowerPoint) Jira and similar tools.
- Ability to quickly adapt to specialized systems.
Preferred Qualifications:
- CECP (Certified Export Compliance Professional) certification
- Combined Big Law firm and in-house experience
- Experience leading legal or compliance teams and advising executive leadership in a global organization.
- Strong knowledge or experience counseling on China European Union (EU) and other foreign export control laws and regulations.
- Experience advising on compliance tool development for a large enterprise; experience with AI as an additional plus.
- Experience working in global tech and/or automotive companies.
- Record of building and managing export compliance programs with a proven ability at managing collaboration between various stakeholders (Engineering Procurement HR IT and other stakeholders) and enabling the stakeholders with compliance solutions.
- History of successful engagement with U.S. government regulators (e.g. BIS OFAC DDTC).
- Willingness to travel occasionally within the U.S. (California and Michigan) for in-person collaboration.
The successful candidates starting pay will be determined based on a wide range of factors including but not limited to job-related education skills and experience geographic location and market accordance with applicable pay transparency requirements the current salary range for positions located in San Jose California is $194000 - $247300 Compensation for candidates in other locations may vary based on the factors described above. This range is subject to change and may be modified in the future.
#LI-ST1
This position may involve access to export-controlled technology hardware or software under the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) 15 C.F.R. Parts 730-774 and possibly technical data defense articles and defense services subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) 22 C.F.R. Parts 120-130. As such Mercedes-Benz Research & Development North America may be required to obtain an export license or authorization in accordance with United States law.
Why should you apply
Here at MBRDNA you create digital ecosystems around cars you design a language between humans and machines you make a car even more intelligent - you make the new reality for cars. MBRDNA was honored as one of the Best Places to Work by BuiltIn in January 2024 a testament to our commitment to creating an exceptional work environment. At each of our offices we foster a culture of collaboration and continuous learning ensuring every team member can thrive and innovate.
Benefits for Full-Time* Employees Include:
Medical dental and vision insurance for employees and their families
401(k) with employer match
Up to 15 company-paid holidays
Paid time off (flexible time off for salaried employees) sick time and parental leave
Tuition assistance program
Wellness/Fitness reimbursement programs
* Internships & Contractors excluded from Full-Time Employee benefits
MBRDNA is an equal opportunity employer (EOE) and strongly supports diversity in the workforce. MBRDNA only accepts resumes from approved agencies who have a valid Agency Agreement on file. Please do not forward resumes to our applicant tracking system MBRDNA employees or send to any MBRDNA location. MBRDNA is not responsible for any fees or claims related to receipt of unsolicited resumes.
Mercedes-Benz Research and Development North America Inc.
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