Export Control SME

About the Role

Culmen International is looking for Export Control Subject Matter Experts that will provide technical advisory, training, and consultative support to the U.S. Department of State Office of Export Controls and Border Security (EXBS) for activities in Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Mexico, and Peru. The SME will support partner governments in strengthening strategic trade control systems, drafting and implementing export control legislation and procedures, improving licensing and enforcement readiness, and aligning national frameworks with U.S. standards and international best practices.

Country-Specific Support: The SME must be able to tailor technical assistance to each partner-country context, including Brazil’s focus on catch-all controls and intangible technology transfers; Chile’s draft export control law and implementing procedures; Costa Rica’s export control law and control list development; Mexico’s legislative revisions and implementation procedures; and Peru’s national export control legislation and technical working group development.

This is for a future opportunity expected early Fall 2026.  This position will be an Independent Consultant (1099) assignment. 

What You’ll Do in Your New Role

• Provide expert guidance to foreign government counterparts on export control laws, implementing regulations, licensing policies, enforcement procedures, interagency coordination, and government-industry outreach.
• Support the development, review, and refinement of draft export control legislation, control lists, catch-all controls, intangible technology transfer provisions, transit/transshipment controls, and related standard operating procedures.
• Design and facilitate virtual and in-person technical exchanges, consultations, tabletop exercises, industry outreach engagements, and technical study visits for government and industry stakeholders.
• Conduct assessments of partner-country export control systems and identify practical recommendations to address regulatory, licensing, enforcement, and interagency coordination gaps.
• Develop and tailor training materials, presentations, case studies, and practical exercises on strategic trade controls, emerging technologies, supply chain security, foreign direct investment screening, internal compliance programs, and international export control best practices.
• Engage with ministries, customs authorities, licensing officials, enforcement agencies, legislators, industry stakeholders, and technical working groups in support of country-specific EXBS objectives.
• Prepare after-action summaries, technical recommendations, draft procedures, implementation roadmaps, and other written products that support measurable progress toward EXBS program outcomes.
• Coordinate with program management and logistics personnel to ensure activities are delivered in accordance with approved schedules, travel requirements, and Federal Travel Regulation requirements.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in international affairs, political science, law, public policy, engineering, science, criminal justice, homeland security, or a related discipline
• 10+ years of progressively responsible experience in export controls, strategic trade controls, nonproliferation, customs enforcement, licensing, regulatory development, sanctions compliance, or international security cooperation.
• Demonstrated experience advising foreign governments or international partners on export control legislation, implementing regulations, control lists, licensing criteria, enforcement procedures, or interagency coordination mechanisms.
• Practical knowledge of WMD nonproliferation, dual-use commodities, conventional arms controls, proliferation finance and diversion risks, and international strategic trade control best practices.
• Experience developing and delivering technical training, tabletop exercises, executive exchanges, or consultative workshops for government and/or industry audiences.
• Ability to travel internationally and support activities in Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Mexico, and Peru, as needed.
• Spanish language proficiency preferred; Portuguese language capability beneficial for Brazil-focused activities.

About the Company

Culmen International is committed to enhancing international safety and security, strengthening homeland defense, advancing humanitarian missions, and optimizing government operations. With experience in over 150 countries, Culmen supports our clients in accomplishing critical missions in challenging environments.

To learn more about Culmen International, please visit www.culmen.com

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, genetic information, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected category under applicable federal, state, and local laws.