Senior Counsel, Trade Compliance

KLA

Senior Counsel, Trade Compliance providing legal guidance for KLA’s global trade compliance program. Supporting legal, regulatory, and compliance matters while collaborating with corporate teams and external counsel.

Posted 5/20/2026full-timeAnn Arbor • Missouri • 🇺🇸 United StatesSenior💰 $143,700 - $244,300 per yearWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Gain a solid understanding of Company’s trade-compliance goals and challenges in the U.S. and internationally and support the identification and implementation of appropriate legal strategies and risk-management processes and controls to facilitate goals and minimize challenges.
Identify, analyze, and support complex issues pertaining to U.S. trade risk, using judgment and creativity in the methods, and collaborate with team members to develop strategies for acquiring timely resolution to import/export complexities.
Examine potential trade-compliance deficiencies and provide effective solutions to include: developing clear policies, procedures, and checklists for team and company use; drafting correspondence to government agencies; evaluating global regulatory and licensing requirements and processes; and improving business processes and trade-compliance controls.
Advise global trade team members, product managers, sales, operations, engineering, and executives.
Work with outside counsel in various jurisdictions on trade-compliance requirements and related company processes.
Recognize potential trade-compliance gaps and work closely with cross-functional groups to develop and implement solutions.
Develop and conduct practical and accessible trade-compliance training.
Partner with the Global Trade Compliance team on operational and strategic trade matters.
Support trade compliance activities related to merger-and-acquisition due diligence and business-integration activities.
Furnish regular, clear communication on legal issues and opportunities to internal teams to assist with the identification and mitigation of risks, and the development of appropriate processes and strategies.
Support internal investigations, audits, and risk assessments related to trade compliance.
Occasional travel to domestic and international offices.
Support the Legal and Compliance Organization on other projects, initiatives, and strategic opportunities, as they may arise from time to time.

Requirements

What you’ll need

Law degree from an accredited U.S. law school and admission to the bar in Michigan as a member in good standing.
Doctorate (Professional) degree, membership in good standing in applicable state bar, and work experience of at least 3 years.
At least 3-5 years of legal experience focusing on trade compliance matters.
Experience at a U.S. multinational technology company or in the semiconductor industry (or closely related fields) preferred.
Technical/engineering background a plus.
Proficiency advising on U.S. trade-compliance regulations and programs, with particular focus on U.S.-China trade law.
Excellent interpersonal skills; interact and connect with clients at all levels of the organization including business executives, and across Company international locations.
Strong and independent demeanor, capable of standing up to business pressures and strong client personalities.
Persistent; comfortable with exercising independent judgment to acquire the best business outcome while containing legal risk.
Excellent oral and written communication skills, with an ability to prioritize and work independently.
Drive to be better; desire to improve professional skills and competence, and to continuously improve KLA’s global trade compliance function.

Benefits

Comp & perks

medical
dental
vision
life
other voluntary benefits
401(K) including company matching
employee stock purchase program (ESPP)
student debt assistance
tuition reimbursement program
development and career growth opportunities and programs
financial planning benefits
wellness benefits including an employee assistance program (EAP)
paid time off and paid company holidays
family care and bonding leave

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

trade compliancelegal strategiesrisk managementU.S. trade regulationsU.S.-China trade lawpolicy developmentregulatory evaluationauditsrisk assessmentsmerger and acquisition due diligence

Soft Skills

interpersonal skillsindependent judgmentcommunication skillsproblem-solvingcollaborationcreativitypersistenceorganizational skillsclient interactionleadership

Certifications

law degreeadmission to the bar in Michigan