This Is a Compliance Leadership Role — Not a Paperwork-Only Position
PM Research is seeking a strong Director of Compliance to lead and strengthen the Company’s compliance function across firearms compliance, ATF records, export compliance, FAA/PMA-related air product compliance, quality records, controlled documents, regulated sales review, and related business records. A strong, manufacturing based document control experiential base is fundamental.
This role is for someone who can:
- Lead compliance work with structure, urgency, accuracy, and accountability
- Influence and guide employees, supervisors, and department leaders where compliance requirements affect their work
- Own ATF compliance, A&D records, regulated item documentation, and related firearms compliance processes
- Read, interpret, and apply laws, agency guidance, technical specifications, customer requirements, and controlled documents
- Create procedures, checklists, records, process controls, and follow-up systems that make compliance work repeatable
- Use AI tools such as ChatGPT or similar systems to improve research, drafting, checklist creation, procedure development, and communication
- Solve problems independently, investigate discrepancies thoroughly, and improve systems instead of waiting for direction
This role does not rely only on direct-report authority. The Director of Compliance must be able to lead through credibility, clear expectations, practical procedures, respectful communication, and disciplined follow-through. The right person will be able to use the “pulpit” of the Compliance function to influence behavior, improve processes, and help other departments execute compliance requirements correctly.
If you are looking for a narrow compliance role limited to filing forms, maintaining records, or following existing checklists without improving the system, this is not the right role. The Director of Compliance at PM Research is expected to lead the function, strengthen controls, and help protect the Company through disciplined execution.
What You’ll Do
The Director of Compliance is responsible for leading and supporting compliance, regulatory, quality, and document-control functions in a growing manufacturing environment.
Responsibilities include:
- Leading the Compliance function and ensuring compliance work is completed accurately, consistently, and on time
- Maintaining oversight of recurring compliance obligations, renewals, reports, filings, reviews, and monitoring activities
- Influencing employees, supervisors, and department leaders to follow compliance procedures, controlled document requirements, recordkeeping expectations, and regulated-process controls
- Overseeing firearm-related compliance, including ATF records, A&D records, regulated transfers, firearm acquisition activity, FFL renewals, state firearm licenses, state reporting, and electronic A&D systems
- Overseeing export compliance, including DDTC registration, AES-related records, regulated item sales review, and export-related production record verification
- Supporting FAA/PMA-related compliance activities, including submissions, drawing support, QMS confirmations, air production record verification, customer requirements, and evidence of conformance
- Overseeing quality records, QMS documentation, production record monitoring, non-conforming material documentation, control plans, receiving inspection records, and customer quality documentation
- Leading document control processes, including procedures, work instructions, specifications, drawings, revision control, SolidWorks PDM records, and related document systems
- Using ERP and related systems to improve compliance records, traceability, data accuracy, and reporting
- Reviewing records for discrepancies and supporting correction of root causes when records, controlled documents, sales records, production records, or operational activity do not agree
- Researching, interpreting, and applying laws, agency guidance, technical standards, industry specifications, customer requirements, and Company procedures into practical compliance controls
- Preparing for and supporting audits, inspections, agency communications, customer compliance requests, and outside review activity
- Protecting confidential compliance, firearm, customer, vendor, technical, quality, pricing, business, and regulatory information at all times
You are expected to own the system, not just complete the task.
What Sets This Role Apart
This is a leadership role with real ownership of regulated records, compliance systems, and process discipline.
This role requires someone who can:
- Lead compliance workflows with structure and follow-through
- Influence others without relying only on direct supervisory authority
- Build procedures where they are missing or weak
- Create process controls that reduce risk, missed deadlines, record errors, and single-person dependency
- Understand the seriousness of ATF compliance and regulated firearms records
- Use AI as a practical force multiplier while independently verifying accuracy
- Translate complex requirements into usable procedures, checklists, records, and controls
- Balance compliance requirements with practical business operations
- Earn trust with employees and leaders through accuracy, fairness, consistency, and practical judgment
The strongest candidates will combine compliance judgment, ATF/firearms familiarity, leadership ability, process-control thinking, documentation discipline, influence skills, and modern AI capability.
Who Succeeds Here
This role is a strong fit if you:
- Take ownership of regulated records, deadlines, procedures, and follow-through
- Have strong leadership presence and can set expectations clearly
- Can influence people across departments through credibility, clarity, documentation, and respectful persistence
- Understand or can quickly learn ATF compliance, A&D records, firearms licensing, and regulated item processes
- Are highly detail-oriented and can detect inconsistencies in records, documents, transactions, and processes
- Can research laws, regulations, specifications, and agency guidance without becoming overwhelmed
- Can turn complex requirements into practical procedures and checklists that others can follow
- Are a strong problem solver who investigates root causes instead of accepting surface-level answers
- Are already effective with AI tools such as ChatGPT, or have a strong desire and ability to become effective quickly
- Communicate professionally with employees, leaders, customers, auditors, agencies, and outside reviewers
- Handle confidential and sensitive information with maturity and discretion
- Are reliable, accountable, and comfortable in a small-company environment where ownership matters
Who Will Not Be a Fit
This role is not a fit if you:
- Need constant direction or step-by-step management to move work forward
- Treat compliance as paperwork rather than a system of controls, deadlines, records, and accountability
- Avoid difficult record reviews, discrepancies, or root-cause investigations
- Are uncomfortable influencing others or holding process expectations when you may not be their direct supervisor
- Are uncomfortable with firearms-related compliance, ATF records, or regulated item processes
- Resist creating procedures, checklists, or documentation systems
- Are unwilling to learn and use AI tools responsibly to improve work quality and speed
- Struggle with confidentiality, accuracy, follow-through, organization, or accountability
- Prefer to identify problems without building practical solutions
We are direct because compliance trust is earned here.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Quality, Compliance, Business, Manufacturing, or a related field required, or an equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered
- Ten (10) years or more of experience in compliance, quality, regulatory, manufacturing, engineering, or a related field required
- Five (5) years or more of experience leading, supervising, directing, or influencing the work of multiple employees or cross-functional teams required
- Five (5) years or more of experience in firearms sales, gunsmithing, firearms manufacturing, firearms compliance, or another firearms-related position strongly preferred
- Demonstrated ability to influence employees, supervisors, and department leaders in implementing procedures, process controls, documentation expectations, and compliance requirements
- Demonstrated ability to read, analyze, interpret, compare, and apply codified law, agency guidance, technical specifications, industry standards, customer requirements, controlled documents, and legal or regulatory documents
- Strong understanding of, or ability to quickly develop proficiency in, ATF compliance, A&D records, firearms licensing, regulated transfers, and related firearms compliance requirements
- Demonstrated ability to create procedures, checklists, process controls, records, and follow-up systems
- Exceptional attention to detail, record accuracy, follow-through, organization, and ability to detect inconsistencies in documentation, records, inspections, specifications, and system transactions
- Strong AI capability using ChatGPT or similar tools, or demonstrated willingness and ability to become highly effective with them in a timely manner while maintaining confidentiality, accuracy, and sound judgment
- Advanced Microsoft Excel capability, including calculations, formulas, pivot tables, graphs, conditional formatting, macros, and VB scripting or equivalent automation capability
- Familiarity with ERP or other software used to track A&D, quality, manufacturing, inventory, finance, compliance, or controlled business records required
- Strong written, verbal, and digital communication skills, including ability to write clear procedures, reports, summaries, correspondence, and recommendations
- Demonstrated resourcefulness, sound judgment, discretion, and ability to protect confidential and sensitive information professionally
- Valid driver’s license and ability to travel between Company facilities as needed
- Reliable attendance is an essential function of the role
Compensation, Profit Sharing & Benefits
PM Research rewards performance, quality, and long-term contribution. This position offers:
- $65,000–$90,000 base annual salary
- Profit Sharing Program
- Employer-funded SEP IRA retirement contributions
- Performance-based annual bonuses
- Christmas bonuses
- Performance-based annual raises
PM Research also provides access to the following insurance plans through payroll contribution:
- Health Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Life Insurance
Insurance premiums are employee-paid. PM Research facilitates access to these plans but does not subsidize the cost.
Additional benefits include:
- Paid time off
- Employee discounts
- On-the-job training and professional development opportunities
Pay: $65,000.00 - $90,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Employee discount
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Application Question(s):
- Do you have direct working knowledge and experience with ATF compliance processes?
- Do you have direct working knowledge and experience with FAA compliance processes?
- Do you have document control experience?
- Do you have Quality Assurance experience?
Work Location: In person
