Product Compliance Manager

The Product Compliance Manager is responsible for ensuring that products meet all applicable material, environmental, and regulatory compliance requirements for aerospace, space, and defense applications. This role supports compliance efforts across the full product lifecycle, including design, sourcing, manufacturing, and customer delivery.

In addition to hands-on compliance execution leads the product compliance function and directly manages a team of compliance professionals (team size based on business needs). The role is accountable for program governance, audit readiness, and stakeholder alignment in high-reliability environments requiring strict documentation and traceability.

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Key Responsibilities

• Assess product and material compliance with applicable regulations and standards, including RoHS, REACH, and defense/aerospace customer requirements
• Analyze complex multi-level BOMs to identify restricted, reportable, or high-risk substances
• Collect, review, and validate supplier documentation (Full Material Declarations, SDS, Certificates of Compliance)
• Utilize and maintain compliance software systems for material data tracking, validation, and reporting
• Partner with engineering teams to ensure compliant material selection during design and product changes
• Support component qualification and obsolescence management with compliance considerations
• Prepare compliance documentation packages for customers, audits, and regulatory submissions
• Monitor evolving global regulations and assess impact on existing and future products
• Support internal and external audits, including customer and government compliance reviews
• Drive continuous improvement in compliance data quality, traceability, and system automation

Managerial / Leadership Responsibilities

• Own the product compliance program for assigned product lines/sites, including strategy, prioritization, resourcing recommendations, and execution tracking
• Lead and mentor compliance staff and/or cross-functional contributors (e.g., engineering, supply chain, quality) on compliance processes, expectations, and best practices
• Establish and maintain standard work, procedures, and governance for compliance activities (e.g., supplier documentation intake, BOM review rules, exception handling)
• Serve as the primary escalation point for compliance risks, nonconformances, and customer/regulatory findings; drive corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) as needed
• Provide management-level reporting on compliance KPIs, risk posture, and audit readiness; communicate status and decisions to internal leadership and external stakeholders
• Lead cross-functional reviews for material risk assessments, regulatory change impacts, and customer-specific compliance requirements

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Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Materials Science, Chemistry, Environmental Science, or related field
• 3+ years of experience in aerospace, defense, or high-reliability industries
• Knowledge of material compliance regulations (e.g., RoHS, REACH) and supply chain data requirements
• Experience working with BOM analysis and product lifecycle data
• Familiarity with compliance, PLM, or ERP systems
• Ability to interpret regulatory requirements and apply them to complex products
• Strong attention to detail and documentation discipline
• Demonstrated leadership in driving cross-functional initiatives and influencing stakeholders without direct authority

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Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with aerospace/defense standards and quality systems such as AS9100
• Familiarity with export control regulations such as ITAR and EAR
• Experience supporting space-grade or ruggedized electronic/mechanical systems
• Experience with compliance tools such as 3rd Party Platforms, Arena PLM, or SAP
• Knowledge of additional regulations (e.g., Conflict Minerals, PFAS, California Prop 65)
• Experience working with global suppliers and regulated supply chains
• Prior experience leading projects, mentoring staff, or acting as a functional lead for compliance or quality-related programs

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Key Competencies

• High attention to detail and data integrity
• Strong documentation and traceability mindset
• Ability to work in regulated, audit-driven environments
• Cross-functional collaboration with engineering, quality, and supply chain
• Critical thinking and risk assessment
• Program ownership, prioritization, and stakeholder management
• Coaching/mentoring and driving accountability across teams

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Performance Metrics (KPIs)

• Accuracy and completeness of compliance assessments and documentation
• On-time delivery of compliance reports and customer documentation
• Supplier compliance data completeness and quality
• Audit readiness and successful audit outcomes
• Reduction of compliance-related risks in released products
• Closure time and effectiveness of compliance-driven corrective actions
• Adoption and adherence to standard compliance processes across teams

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Work Environment

This role operates in a structured, quality-driven environment supporting aerospace, defense, and space applications. Work may involve handling controlled technical data subject to ITAR or EAR requirements. Collaboration across engineering, quality, supply chain, and external partners is essential.