Manufacturing, Engineering Services

Customs Compliance Manager

El Segundo, CAOnsiteFull TimeManager / Head$130,000–$165,000 /yrPosted 5 days agoVisa sponsorship available

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Required skills

HTS classification
Schedule B classification
customs valuation
country of origin
customs brokers
entry and clearance
duty and tariff exposure
customs records
import entries
export declarations

Nice to have

U.S. Customs Broker License
defense
aerospace
sensors/radar business
ITAR-controlled hardware
EAR-controlled hardware

Role summary

CHAOS Industries, a defense technology company, seeks an experienced Customs Compliance Manager to lead customs compliance for its dual-use products. This hands-on role involves determining HTS and Schedule B classifications, overseeing customs brokers, managing duty exposure, and maintaining customs records. The manager will partner with Logistics, Supply Chain, Finance, and Engineering to ensure correct classification, valuation, declaration, and clearance of goods. Responsibilities include managing temporary exports, repairs, and returns, identifying duty savings, responding to CBP inquiries, and advising on sourcing and routing decisions. Familiarity with ITAR and EAR is required, with a Bachelor's degree and at least 7 years of experience in customs compliance.

CHAOS Industries is redefining modern defense with a multi-product portfolio that gives the ultimate advantage—domain dominance. The company's products are powered by Coherent Distributed Networks (CDN™), empowering warfighters, commercial air operators, and border protection teams to act faster, adapt rapidly, and stay ahead of evolving threats.

CHAOS Industries was founded in 2022 and has raised a total of $1 billion in funding from leading investors, including 8VC, Accel, and Valor Equity Partners. The company is headquartered in Los Angeles, with offices in Washington, D.C., San Francisco, San Diego, and London. For more information, please visit www.chaosinc.com.

Role Overview:

CHAOS Industries is seeking a Customs Compliance Manager to lead customs compliance our transactions as the company scales production and delivery of its dual-use products to U.S. Government, allied, and commercial customers. You will determine and document HTS and Schedule B classification, valuation, and country of origin; oversee customs brokers and entry and clearance activity; manage duty and tariff exposure; and maintain customs records. You will partner closely with Logistics, Supply Chain, Finance, and Engineering to make sure goods are classified, valued, declared, and cleared correctly in both directions and that customs requirements are built into how the business sources and ships. This is a hands-on role for an experienced customs professional with a working understanding of export controls, with room to grow as the function develops.

Responsibilities:

Determine and document HTS and Schedule B classification, customs valuation, and country of origin for parts, materials, and equipment; maintain customs classifications in the classification database alongside export control classifications.

Oversee customs brokers, including powers of attorney, broker instructions, and performance, and serve as the compliance point of contact for brokers and forwarders on customs questions so that shipments clear without delay in either direction.

Review import entries and export declarations, commercial invoices, and supporting documents for accuracy before and after filing, including EEI/AES filings under the Foreign Trade Regulations; prepare post-summary corrections, AES corrections, and prior disclosures when needed.

Manage the customs side of temporary exports, demonstrations, repairs, and returns in both directions, including returned U.S. goods, temporary importation under bond, carnets, and foreign customs clearance for equipment shipped abroad.

Track duty and tariff exposure and identify duty savings and recovery opportunities such as drawback and trade agreement qualification.

Respond to CBP inquiries, requests for information, and notices of action; pursue binding rulings where classification, valuation, or origin is uncertain.

Advise Supply Chain and Logistics on the customs impact of sourcing, routing, and Incoterms decisions, and support supplier origin and trade agreement documentation.

Work with the rest of the Trade Compliance team so that imports, exports, and returns of ITAR- and EAR-controlled items are handled under the correct authorizations.

Develop and maintain customs compliance procedures covering classification, valuation, origin, declarations, recordkeeping, and broker management; conduct periodic entry and shipment audits with corrective action where needed.

Maintain import and export customs records in accordance with CBP and FTR recordkeeping requirements so that every entry and declaration is supported by a complete, audit-ready file.

Research, analyze, and interpret customs regulations, rulings, and the FTR; monitor tariff and trade developments and advise stakeholders on business impact.

Minimum Requirements:

Bachelor's degree and at least 7 years of customs compliance experience covering both imports and exports, preferably in aerospace/defense, manufacturing, or a related technology sector; or a Master's degree and at least 5 years.

Working knowledge of U.S. customs laws and regulations and the Foreign Trade Regulations, including classification, valuation, country of origin, declarations, and recordkeeping, with demonstrated ability to research, interpret, and advise internal stakeholders on compliance requirements.

Hands-on experience with HTS and Schedule B classification and customs valuation for manufactured goods, including repairs, returns, and no-charge shipments.

Experience overseeing customs brokers and reviewing entries and export declarations for accuracy in a compliance capacity.

Familiarity with the ITAR and EAR sufficient to recognize when a shipment or return involves controlled items.

Strong judgment and comfort operating with significant autonomy and limited day-to-day oversight.

Preferred Requirements:

S. Customs Broker License.

Prior experience in a defense, aerospace, or sensors/radar business shipping ITAR- and EAR-controlled hardware internationally.

Experience with CBP inquiries, post-summary corrections, prior disclosures, or binding rulings.

Experience with drawback, temporary importation under bond, carnets, or foreign trade zones.

Experience with ACE and trade compliance systems (e.g., NetSuite, SAP GTS, Descartes).

Why CHAOS?

Health Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision benefits 100% paid for by the company

Additional benefits: 401k (+ 50% company match up to 6% of pay), FSA, HSA, life insurance, and more

Our Perks: Free daily lunch while you're working onsite, fully-stocked kitchen, unlimited PTO, casual dress code

Compensation Components: Competitive base salaries, generous pre-IPO stock option grants, relocation assistance, and (coming soon!) annual bonuses

Team Growth: 500+ employees and counting across 5 global offices

Salary Range: $130,000 - $165,000

The stated compensation range reflects only the targeted base compensation range and excludes additional earnings such as bonus, equity, and benefits. If your compensation requirements fall outside of the range, we still encourage you to apply. The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a range of compensation factors, inclusive of base salary only. Actual salary offer may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and/or training, critical skills, and/or business considerations.

Recruiting Agencies: CHAOS Industries does not accept unsolicited resumes or outreach. Unsolicited submissions will not be reviewed or compensated.

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