Export Control & Global Trade Compliance Lead (UKR)

About Us 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 & Global Trade Compliance Lead (Ukraine), you will be responsible for setting up, overseeing, and maintaining the export control framework for our operations in Ukraine. You will work hand-in-hand with our Export Control Lead in Germany to align local processes with our global trade compliance strategy. Working in a high-growth environment with sophisticated technology, you will ensure full compliance with national, EU, US, and international trade regulations, acting as a critical bridge between our Ukrainian subsidiary and German headquarters. Responsibilities

• Global Alignment: Collaborate closely on a daily basis with the German Export Control Lead to ensure seamless cross-border transfers and alignment on global compliance standards in a highly regulated industry.
• Compliance Management: Design, implement, and continuously update our Internal Compliance Program (ICP) for our Ukrainian entity, mirroring the high standards of our German operations while adapting to local laws.
• Classification & Licensing: Classify cutting-edge technologies and secure all necessary export, import, and transit licenses from Ukrainian authorities, coordinating with the German team on EU/US nexus items.

Qualifications

• Experience: Several years (3+) of professional experience in export control or trade compliance within a high-tech, highly regulated industry.
• International Collaboration: Proven track record of working effectively in international, distributed teams, ideally within a German or European corporate context.
• Regulatory Expertise: Deep understanding of Ukrainian export control laws, combined with the ability to understand and interface with EU/German and US trade controls (EAR/ITAR).
• Languages: Business-fluent English and Ukrainian are strictly required. You possess excellent communication skills to precisely discuss complex legal and technical matters on an international level. (German is a plus but not mandatory).
• Technical Mindset: Ability to understand complex technical specifications and software architectures to accurately classify products.
• Startup Mindset: You thrive in a fast-paced, rapidly scaling environment, bringing a proactive, solution-oriented "can-do" attitude to compliance.
• Integrity & Discretion: Exceptional judgment, highest ethical standards, and experience handling highly sensitive, proprietary data.
• Willingness to relocate to Kyiv in case Kyiv is not the homebase.