Freight Forwarding Operations Manager Jobs in Reston, VA

Job ID: 115009
DRS RADA Technologies, a subsidiary of Leonardo DRS, is focused on proprietary radar solutions and legacy avionics systems supporting the defense industry globally. The company is a global pioneer of AESA tactical radars for active military protection, counter-drone applications, critical infrastructure protection, and border surveillance.
Job Summary
DRS RADA Technologies is hiring a Senior Logistics Specialist in Germantown, MD. This position is full time and on-site. This position is intended for a more experienced logistics professional with strong working knowledge of freight management, transportation operations, customs documentation, and international trade compliance support
The Senior Logistics Specialist will support domestic and international logistics operations for inbound and outbound shipments in a fast-paced Aerospace & Defense manufacturing environment. This role will be responsible for coordinating freight activity, managing transportation execution, supporting customs documentation, and ensuring shipments are processed in compliance with company procedures and applicable trade regulations.
The Senior Logistics Specialist will work closely with Production Operations, Supply Chain, Procurement, Receiving, Warehouse, and external freight providers to ensure timely, compliant, and cost-effective movement of material. This role will also support international shipping activity, documentation accuracy, and trade compliance processes, including familiarity with ITAR/EAR-controlled shipments and import/export documentation requirements.
Job Responsibilities

• Coordinate and manage the movement of inbound and outbound domestic and international shipments.
• Schedule and route shipments using the most economical and efficient transportation methods while meeting required delivery dates.
• Manage day-to-day freight activity, including parcel, LTL, FTL, air, expedited, and international shipments.
• Work with carriers, freight forwarders, brokers, and internal stakeholders to ensure timely shipment execution and issue resolution.
• Track and trace inbound and outbound cargo and proactively resolve transportation delays, misroutes, or service failures.
• Support urgent and critical shipments, including high-priority and expedited material movements.
• Analyze carrier performance, freight costs, and service levels and recommend improvements.
• Prepare, review, and coordinate shipping documentation required for international and domestic shipments.
• Support the creation and validation of commercial invoices, packing lists, bills of lading, export documentation, import documentation, and other customs-related paperwork.
• Coordinate with customs brokers, freight forwarders, and internal teams to facilitate smooth import/export activity.
• Ensure documentation accuracy and completeness to minimize delays, penalties, and customs holds.

Job Responsibilities Part II

• Assist with duty allocation, freight invoice validation, claims processing, and resolution of customs-related shipment issues.
• Support logistics execution in accordance with applicable ITAR, EAR, and import/export compliance requirements.
• Coordinate with internal trade compliance, shipping, program, and supply chain teams to ensure shipments are handled in accordance with licensing, classification, destination, and documentation requirements.
• Escalate potential compliance concerns related to export-controlled material, restricted destinations, or documentation discrepancies.
• Partner with warehouse, receiving, procurement, planners, buyers, and production teams to support material flow and on-time delivery.
• Support freight payment review, invoice validation, claims management, and transportation reporting.
• Help develop and improve shipping procedures, freight processes, and logistics controls to reduce cost and improve service.
• Monitor logistics performance metrics and support root-cause analysis for delivery issues, excess freight cost, and process failures.
• Maintain accurate logistics data in ERP and shipping systems.
• Support, communicate, reinforce, and defend the mission, values, and culture of the organization.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Logistics, Business, or related discipline; equivalent experience may be considered.
• 5+ years of logistics, transportation, freight, or supply chain experience.
• Demonstrated experience managing freight operations across multiple transportation modes.
• Experience coordinating domestic and international shipments.
• Strong working knowledge of customs documentation and shipping paperwork requirements.
• Familiarity with ITAR/EAR requirements and trade-compliance-sensitive shipping environments.
• Experience working with carriers, freight forwarders, customs brokers, and parcel/LTL providers.
• Strong understanding of shipping execution, routing, freight terms, claims, and transportation issue resolution.
• Experience with ERP systems and strong Excel / Microsoft Office skills.
• Strong communication, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Preferred: Experience in an Aerospace & Defense environment.
• Preferred: Experience supporting import/export activity for controlled or regulated products.

U.S. Citizenship required. This position requires an active DOD security clearance or the ability to obtain such clearance within a reasonable time after commencement of employment.
The salary range for this position is $83,552.00-$108,618.00. This range reflects the good faith estimate of pay the employer is willing to offer at the time of posting. Several factors can influence the pay scale, including but not limited to: Federal contract labor categories and contract wage rates, collective bargaining agreements, geographic location, business considerations, scope, and responsibilities of the position, local or other applicable market conditions, and internal equity. Other factors include the candidate's qualifications such as prior work experience, specific skills and competencies, education/training, and certifications. In addition to base pay, employees may be eligible for: annual performance-based bonuses, equity awards, and overtime pay (for non-exempt employees as applicable. Our benefits package includes comprehensive health insurance (medical, dental, vision), employer matching 401(k) retirement plan, paid time off including vacation, holidays, and sick leave (including ant state-mandated paid sick leave), parental leave benefits, tuition reimbursement, professional development support, and life and disability insurance coverage.
Taking care of our people is a top priority at Leonardo DRS. We are proud to offer competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, a company contribution to a health savings account, telemedicine, life and disability insurance, legal insurance, and a 401(k) savings plan. We champion wellness programs that focus on physical, emotional, and financial well-being. We develop our talent by offering programs and activities to support career-growth, professional development, and skill enhancement. And we understand there is more to life than work, and the importance of offering flexible work schedules with our 9/80 program, competitive vacation, health/emergency leave, paid parental leave, and community service hours.
*Some employees are eligible for limited benefits only
Leonardo DRS, Inc. and its subsidiaries provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.
Our Vision. To be the leading mid-tier defense technology company in the U.S.
Our Values. The Leonardo DRS culture is defined by our Core Values and Principles:
- Integrity
- Agility
- Excellence
- Customer Focus
- Community & Respect
- Innovation
We strive to uphold them in all aspects of our business practices to inspire our employees and provide outstanding support for our customers.