Export Control Director

Cowboy Space Corp. is building the infrastructure to power and connect the orbital economy.

Our satellites operate in Low Earth Orbit to collect sunlight and enable a new class of capabilities—from powering on-orbit compute, to transmitting energy via infrared lasers (space-to-earth and space-to-space), to delivering secure, high-bandwidth optical data. By rethinking how energy and data are generated and distributed in space, we’re unlocking entirely new ways to operate both in orbit and on Earth.

Founded in 2024 by Baiju Bhatt (co-founder of Robinhood), Cowboy Space Corp. is backed by leading investors and built by a team from top aerospace and defense organizations. We’re moving quickly to solve complex technical challenges and build a new category of space infrastructure.

The Export Control Director at Cowboy Space Corporation will operationally own export compliance across the company. This role is responsible for building, implementing, and scaling Cowboy Space’s export compliance program while enabling rapid execution across engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, mission operations, business development, and corporate functions. This is Cowboy Space’s first dedicated export compliance hire. You will build the program from the ground up, establishing foundational infrastructure, tools, processes and culture.

Reporting to the COO/CLO, this individual will serve as the company’s primary subject matter expert on export control regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Export Administration Regulations (EAR). The role will partner closely with engineers, technical leaders, and executives to ensure export compliance requirements are integrated into day-to-day operations while supporting the company’s growth and mission objectives.

This is a highly hands-on role that combines regulatory expertise, operational rigor, risk management, and business partnership. The ideal candidate enjoys building compliance infrastructure, translating complex regulations into practical guidance, and working directly with highly technical teams in a fast-moving aerospace environment.

This role can be located in San Carlos or Seattle.

Own and continuously improve Cowboy Space’s export compliance program

Develop, implement, and maintain policies, procedures, and internal controls related to export-controlled technologies, technical data, software, hardware, and services

Establish scalable compliance processes that support company growth while maintaining regulatory compliance

Serve as the primary internal resource for export control guidance, interpretation, and decision-making

Monitor regulatory developments and assess impacts across engineering, operations, supply chain, and business activities

Build foundational compliance infrastructure capable of scaling alongside the company’s technical and operational growth

Lead export jurisdiction and classification determinations under ITAR, EAR and OFAC regulations

Prepare, submit, and manage export license applications, agreements, exemptions, and related filings

Maintain records and documentation required under applicable export regulations

Support company registration, reporting, and compliance obligations with relevant government agencies

Partner with external counsel and regulatory agencies (DDTC, BIS and OFAC) regarding licensing, compliance matters and policy interpretation

Review products, software, technical data, and business activities to ensure appropriate export classifications and controls are maintained

Partner closely with engineering, manufacturing, mission management, software, and supply chain teams to assess export control requirements throughout the product lifecycle

Review technical data, hardware, software, customer engagements, and business activities for export control implications

Develop and implement Technology Control Plans (TCPs) and related access control processes

Support technical exchanges, demonstrations, international collaborations, and customer interactions involving export-controlled information

Evaluate deemed export considerations, foreign national access requests, and international travel activities

Provide practical guidance that balances regulatory compliance with operational execution

Conduct export compliance assessments, audits, and process reviews

Own and operate the company’s denied party and sanctions screening program, including screening of customers, vendors, partners, employees and foreign nationals against OFAC SDN, BIS Entity List, DDTC Debarred Parties and other applicable restricted party lists

Identify compliance risks and develop corrective action plans and mitigation strategies

Lead investigations involving potential export compliance concerns and support voluntary disclosures when necessary

Develop compliance reporting, metrics, and documentation for leadership visibility

Maintain compliance records and audit readiness across the organization

Partner with People Operations regarding hiring, onboarding, workforce planning, and foreign national access requirements

Develop and deliver export compliance training programs across the organization

Build awareness of export control obligations among employees, managers, and executives

Create practical guidance materials, documentation, and resources to support compliance in day-to-day operations

Foster a culture of compliance that enables innovation while maintaining regulatory integrity

Serve as a trusted advisor to leaders navigating export control considerations in business and technical decision-making

This job description is a summary of the primary duties and responsibilities of the job and position. It is not intended to be a comprehensive or all-inclusive listing of duties and responsibilities. Contents are subject to change at Cowboy Space Corp.’s discretion.

Cowboy Space Corp. is an equal employment opportunity employer. We consider individuals for employment or promotion according to their skills, abilities and experience. Cowboy Space Corp. is committed to complying with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, religious creed, age, national origin, ancestry, physical, mental or developmental disability, sex (which includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and medical conditions relating to pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding), veteran status, military status, marital or registered domestic partnership status, medical condition (including cancer or genetic characteristics), genetic information, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, as well as any other category protected by federal, state or local laws.