We are seeking a detail-oriented Trade Compliance Specialist to join our Trade Compliance team. In this role you’ll play a key part in safeguarding sensitive information while enabling the business to operate confidently in a highly regulated environment. As part of the Trade Compliance team, you’ll work at the intersection of regulation, security, and people - not just paperwork. You’ll serve as a subject matter expert for the Controlled Goods Program (CGP), collaborating with stakeholders across Security, HR, IT, Engineering, and Supply Chain. This position offers meaningful ownership of compliance processes, regular engagement with government agencies, and visibility across the organization.
Key Job Elements:
- Support company-wide compliance with applicable import/export, domestic trade, and controlled goods regulations, including the Canadian Defence Production Act and Controlled Goods Regulations.
- Act as a Designated Official under the Controlled Goods Program (CGP), overseeing personnel security assessments and access approvals.
- Review and process security assessment packages for employees, service providers, and visitors, including new hires, reassessments, and access changes.
- Manage CGP reassessments, ensuring compliance with change-in-circumstance and five-year review requirements.
- Coordinate controlled goods access for service providers, visitors, and foreign nationals, including access approvals and badging.
- Maintain and administer security and compliance databases, ensuring data accuracy, audit readiness, and timely updates.
- Support foreign visitor and temporary worker applications and coordinate submissions to Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC).
- Prepare and maintain Technology Control Plans (TCPs) and access restriction frameworks.
- Develop, maintain, and continuously improve CGP-related processes, procedures, and training materials.
- Deliver training and awareness sessions for employees, visitors, and service providers.
- Support internal and external audits, inspections, and compliance reviews.
- Collaborate with Trade Compliance Council representatives and support self-assessments, reporting, and corrective actions.
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor Degree or college diploma in a relevant discipline
- 3-5 years of experience working in trade compliance, export controls, controlled goods, security compliance, or a related regulatory environment
- Ability to interpret and apply regulatory requirements and exercise sound judgement in a business environment
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate clearly with employees at all levels of the organization.
- Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive information with discretion and professionalism.
- Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a deadline-driven environment.
- Proven problem-solving and decision-making skills, including the ability to assess risk and recommend practical solutions.
- Demonstrated experience with conflict resolution.
- General knowledge of the Canadian Controlled Goods Program
- Ability to travel (5% Canadian / 5% US & International) and possess/be able to acquire and maintain a valid passport
Preferred Qualifications:
- Direct working knowledge of the Canadian Defence Production Act and the Canadian Controlled Goods Regulations
- Hands-on experience with International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), and the Export and Imports Permits Act.
- Experience acting as a CGP Designated Official or Alternate
- Experience supporting internal or external audits
- Experience in defense, aerospace, manufacturing, or other regulated industries
General Dynamics Land Systems–Canada is committed to providing all persons with equal opportunity and access to all aspects of the employment process. We welcome and encourage applications from women, members of racialized groups/visible minorities, Indigenous Persons, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation, and persons of any gender identity or expression.
If you require an accommodation to assist you with any aspect of the hiring process, we will work with you to meet your needs. Contact londonHR@gdls.com if you need accommodation.
It is a requirement that General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada be registered with the Canadian Controlled Goods Program and that all of its workforce be security assessed. As such, successful applicants must meet all applicable security requirements, including, but not limited to, the ability to obtain and maintain a Canadian government security clearance to secret level.