Compliance Manager

Help Build Europe's Hypersonic Capability

At Hypersonica, we’re redefining what’s possible in European defence technology.

We exist to deliver speed, resilience, and technological independence at a pace that sets a new standard.

We are a small, elite team working on problems that matter, and solving them fast.

By joining Hypersonica, you’re not stepping into a predefined role.

You’re joining a talent dense environment where every individual shapes the direction of the company.

Our philosophy is to hire a small number of exceptional people with broad, deep technical capability, strong judgement, and the ability to operate autonomously.

We hire for talent, not rigid boxes.

This role represents a business need, but the way it evolves will be shaped by the individual.

If you’ve achieved what others said was impossible, or you bring a unique combination of skills that doesn’t fit a traditional mould, we want to hear from you.

The work you do here directly contributes to Europe’s technological independence.

• What You’ll Do
• Help establish and operate Hypersonica’s compliance framework for Germany and the EU across engineering, procurement and operational activities.
• Support the Export Control Officer with export-control classifications, licensing assessments and applications, end-use and end-user reviews, technology-transfer controls, record keeping and audit readiness.
• Assist with compliance under German and EU export-control laws, sanctions and embargoes and, where relevant, the German War Weapons Control Act.
• Advise leadership, engineering, procurement and programme teams on regulatory risks and practical, compliant paths forward.
• Develop and maintain proportionate controls for sanctions screening, third-party due diligence, conflicts of interest, gifts and hospitality, anti-bribery and business-partner risk.
• Coordinate data-protection compliance with the Data Protection Officer, IT, security and people teams.
• Support internal reporting and whistleblowing processes, including compliance reviews and investigations.
• Coordinate security-screening and classified-information processes with internal stakeholders and relevant authorities.
• Develop concise and practical compliance training for engineering, procurement and operational teams.
• Maintain audit-ready policies, procedures, approvals, registers and supporting documentation.
• Prepare compliance reporting and management updates for senior leadership.
• Continuously improve the compliance framework as Hypersonica scales and enters increasingly complex multinational programmes.

Who You Are

• You have at least three years of relevant experience in compliance, trade compliance, legal operations, regulatory affairs or a related discipline.
• You have practical knowledge of German and EU compliance requirements, ideally including export controls and/or sanctions.
• You have worked in aerospace, defence, advanced manufacturing, deep tech or another regulated and security-sensitive environment.
• You are comfortable working directly with technical teams and developing an understanding of complex hardware, software, technical data and engineering processes.
• You can translate regulatory requirements into clear workflows, controls, approvals and documentation.
• You are pragmatic and solutions-oriented, with the judgement to identify proportionate controls rather than automatically saying “no”.
• You are comfortable managing ambiguity, taking ownership and making well-reasoned recommendations.
• You have experience with audits, regulatory reviews or authority inspections.
• You communicate clearly and confidently with technical teams, senior leadership, regulators and government stakeholders.
• You are highly organised, discreet and able to manage multiple workstreams without losing attention to detail.
• You are fluent in German and English.
• You are willing and able to complete any security screening required for the role.
• Particularly Valuable Experience
• Experience supporting BAFA licence applications or export-control enquiries.
• Experience with military-list items, defence technology, controlled technical data or classified programmes.
• Experience building or improving a compliance programme in an early-stage or rapidly scaling company.
• Experience supporting engineers or technical teams with export-control, sanctions, data-protection or security-related decisions.
• Experience with compliance registers, approval workflows, training, internal controls and audit preparation.

What We Offer

• A mission-driven environment working on one of Europe’s most ambitious defence technology programmes.
• The chance to work alongside some of the top experts in aerospace, propulsion, guidance, control, manufacturing and defence technology.
• High ownership from day one, with real responsibility and direct impact on company outcomes.
• A fast-paced, technically rigorous environment where decisions are made quickly and execution matters.
• A culture built around clarity, integrity, high standards and practical problem solving.
• Competitive compensation, including share options.
• The opportunity to help build a sovereign European hypersonic capability at a pivotal stage of company growth.
• Security and eligibility
• Due to the nature of our work, applicants must be willing and able to complete relevant security screening and background checks.

Eligibility to work in Germany is required, NATO nationality is a minimum requirement.

At Hypersonica, every hire raises the bar. We are deliberately small, intensely capable, and deeply mission-driven.

Hypersonica is an equal-opportunity employer and assesses candidates solely on merit, capability, and potential.

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