Trade Compliance Manager

About Etched

Etched is building AI chips that are hard-coded for individual model architectures. Our first product (Sohu) only supports transformers, but has an order of magnitude more throughput and lower latency than a B200. With Etched ASICs, you can build products that would be impossible with GPUs, like real-time video generation models and extremely deep & parallel chain-of-thought reasoning agents.

Job Summary

Etched is seeking a hands-on and detail-oriented Trade Compliance Manager to build and lead our global trade compliance function. In this role, you will manage all aspects of export/import compliance across our international supply chain - including semiconductor components, server systems, and lab equipment. You’ll partner with logistics, finance, engineering, and legal to ensure adherence to global trade laws, minimize friction at borders, and enable rapid delivery to our global customer base.

This is a strategic and operational role ideal for someone who thrives in high-stakes, cross-border environments and wants to have a major impact on scaling international hardware logistics.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and enforce global trade compliance policies aligned with U.S. and international regulations (EAR, ITAR, customs laws)

• Manage and maintain classification databases (HTS codes, ECCN, COO) for all hardware, subsystems, and assemblies

• Prepare and review export documentation (commercial invoices, AES filings, end-use statements) to ensure accuracy and compliance

• Partner with customs brokers and freight forwarders to resolve clearance holds and ensure on-time delivery

• Serve as the internal subject-matter expert on export controls, restricted party screening, and license determination

• Collaborate with Engineering and Product Ops to identify compliance risks in new products and sourcing decisions

• Stay current on global trade changes (e.g., tariffs, sanctions, export controls) and communicate their impact to stakeholders

• Lead internal audits, training, and documentation to ensure compliance awareness across teams

• Support international expansion efforts including bonded warehouse setup, free trade zone eligibility, and country-specific regulations

You may be a good fit if you have

• 5–10 years experience in global trade compliance roles, ideally in semiconductors and high-tech manufacturing

• Deep familiarity with U.S. export regulations (EAR, ITAR) and international customs processes

• Hands-on experience managing ECCN/HTS classification, AES filing, and documentation workflows

• Proven track record of managing broker relationships and resolving customs delays

• Excellent organizational and communication skills, with ability to advise technical and non-technical teams

• Strong working knowledge of ERP and trade compliance tools

Strong candidates may also have experience with

• Prior experience supporting product export to hyperscalers, defense customers, or overseas fabs

• Familiarity with China and Southeast Asia export/import regulations

• BIS/OFAC licensing and voluntary disclosure experience

• Setting up FTZ or bonded warehouse programs

• Background in international logistics or supply chain strategy

Benefits

• Full medical, dental, and vision packages, with generous premium coverage

• Housing subsidy of $2,000/month for those living within walking distance of the office

• Daily lunch and dinner in our office

• Relocation support for those moving to San Jose (Santana Row)

How we’re different

Etched believes in the Bitter Lesson. We think most of the progress in the AI field has come from using more FLOPs to train and run models, and the best way to get more FLOPs is to build model-specific hardware. Larger and larger training runs encourage companies to consolidate around fewer model architectures, which creates a market for single-model ASICs.

We are a fully in-person team in San Jose (Santana Row), and greatly value engineering skills. We do not have boundaries between engineering and research, and we expect all of our technical staff to contribute to both as needed.