The Opportunity
We’re looking for an experienced export specialist who combines strong logistics expertise with a deep understanding of export controls, gaining export licences and international trade compliance.
This is a pivotal role supporting the global movement of advanced defence technology, ensuring products reach customers around the world safely, efficiently and in full compliance with regulatory requirements. Working closely with the Head of Contracts and Compliance, you'll play a key role in managing international shipments, supporting export licensing activities and maintaining the high standards of compliance expected within a highly regulated industry.
This opportunity would suit someone with proven export and shipping experience in a commercial environment where you have had obtain export licences for the defence industry. You'll be joining a growing business where your expertise will directly contribute to operational success and you'll see the impact of your work every day.
Security Vetting Information
OpenWorks Engineering operates within the defence sector. As part of our recruitment and onboarding processes, we collect information that may be required to support future security vetting and clearance requirements, should these become necessary during employment.
Who We Are
OpenWorks is a rapidly growing business operating globally with a passion for exceptional engineering and building on a legacy of defence innovation in the North East of England.
Our products provide ultra-high performance, real-time detection, tracking, identification and targeting of dynamic aerial threats. They have been deployed internationally to protect high profile military and civilian assets, and contribute towards the defeat of nuisance, misguided and maliciously deployed drones during operations.
We are very proud to have supported a wide range of law enforcement and military operators, protecting many of the most high profile sites and individuals around the world.
The amazing things we do are only possible because of a dedicated and passionate team.
Why You’ll Love Working With Us
Join a high-energy, collaborative team where great ideas thrive, challenges are embraced, and people genuinely love what they do.
Here’s what our benefits have to offer:
Rewarding Success - Competitive salary and bonus package, with performance bonuses of up to 25% and clear opportunities for career progression.
Enhanced Pension – Up to 8% employer-matched contributions to help you plan for the future.
More Time to Recharge – 25 days holiday plus bank holidays, long-service rewards, and the option to buy up to 5 extra days.
Breakfast & Lunch on Us – Enjoy team breakfasts and freshly prepared lunches every day courtesy of Chef Mark and his team.
Health & Wellbeing – Private healthcare and life assurance for added peace of mind.
Sustainable Travel – Salary sacrifice schemes, including EV car and Cycle to Work options.
Team Socials – Regular events, from quiz nights and football to board games and more.
Learning & Growth – A culture that empowers you to challenge, grow and make an impact, plus a £250 annual learning budget to invest in the development that matters most to you.
What You'll Be Doing
- Export documentation: Prepare accurate shipping and export documentation including commercial invoices, packing lists, end-user statements and licence references for dual use and dangerous goods.
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Shipment coordination: Manage day-to-day inbound and outbound shipments across the business including domestic and international movements.
- International logistics management: Arrange transport with freight forwarders, couriers, customs brokers and other logistics partners to ensure timely delivery worldwide.
- Export control compliance: Support export control activities ensuring goods are correctly classified under Military List and Dual-Use regulations and shipped in accordance with licensing requirements.
- Import and customs administration: Manage import and export activities including customs declarations, commodity code verification and trade documentation.
- ATA Carnets and temporary movements: Prepare and administer ATA Carnets while coordinating temporary imports and exports.
- Dangerous goods coordination: Ensure dangerous goods shipments meet all packaging, labelling and documentation requirements.
- Continuous improvement and compliance: Maintain audit-ready records while supporting improvements across logistics, export control and trade compliance processes.
What We're Looking For
- Export and shipping experience: Proven experience coordinating international shipments and managing import and export activities in a commercial environment, supplying into the defence industry.
- Export control knowledge: Strong understanding of UK export control regulations including Military List, Dual-Use and licensing requirements.
- Trade compliance expertise: Experience working with customs procedures, commodity codes, UK Trade Tariff classifications and Incoterms.
- Export licensing experience: Familiarity with export licensing systems such as SPIRE and maintaining compliance records.
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Organisation and attention to detail: Able to manage multiple priorities while maintaining exceptional accuracy.
- Stakeholder management: Confident working with internal teams, freight forwarders, customs brokers and external partners.
- Adaptability: Comfortable operating in a fast-paced environment where priorities can change quickly.
Desirable
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International regulations knowledge: Understanding of ITAR, EAR and AUKUS export control frameworks.
- ATA Carnet experience: Experience coordinating temporary imports and exports.
- Dangerous goods certification: Dangerous Goods certification or recognised hazardous goods training.
- Industry background: Experience within defence, engineering, manufacturing or other highly regulated sectors.
- Professional export training: Training through the Export Control Joint Unit (ECJU) or a similar recognised body.
More About Us
Vision
Help protect the territory and airspace of NATO countries and their allies.
Mission
Be a world-leading provider of autonomous technology for Surveillance applications and Defence
Values
Be a Good Egg: Earn respect, have mutual trust and be honest
Do cool stuff: We develop cool tech with an awesome team, and we get stuff done
Be empowered: We are autonomous, reliable and take personal responsibility
We are one team: Look out for each other and the team
Things go wrong: Fail fast, learn and move on
Have fun: We’re doing amazing things with passionate people
We Get It Done: Focus on what matters and work with energy to bring ideas to life
