Principal Legal Counsel

Application close date:

Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the requisition is closed.

At Blue Origin, we envision millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth. We’re working to develop reusable, safe, and low-cost space vehicles and systems within a culture of safety, collaboration, and inclusion. Join our team of problem solvers as we add new chapters to the history of spaceflight!  

This role is part of Blue Origin corporate functions, providing centralized support across Blue Origin business unit teams, functions, and locations.

We are a team of collaborators, doers, and problem-solvers who are passionate about human spaceflight and relentlessly committed to operational excellence. This position will directly impact the history of space exploration and will require your dedication and attention to detail in support of safe, repeatable, and transformative technologies. Join us in lowering the cost of access to space and enabling Blue Origin’s vision of millions of people living and working in space to benefit Earth!

As a member of our small and accomplished Legal and Compliance team, you will serve as the primary legal advisor to the Advanced Engines business, while also supporting broader commercial and construction projects across the organization. You will work in a fast-paced, collaborative environment, delivering practical and commercially sound legal guidance that directly shapes business outcomes.

Responsibilities:

• Serve as the primary legal advisor to the Advanced Engines business, building trusted relationships with program leaders, cross-functional stakeholders, and executive leadership.

• Provide counsel on a broad range of corporate, transactional, regulatory, and operational matters related to a new advanced hardware program at Blue Origin.

• Draft, review, and negotiate complex commercial agreements, including construction agreements, customer contracts, short- and long-term commercial supply agreements, and non-disclosure agreements (NDAs).

• Advise on construction and infrastructure matters, including contract strategy, dispute resolution, claim management, regulatory compliance, and risk mitigation.

• Counsel on intellectual property protection strategies and technology transfer matters relevant to the business.

• Coordinate with subject matter experts within the Legal and Compliance department and across the company on contract reviews, customer engagements, and major transactions.

• Support development of internal policies, legal frameworks, and playbooks for new and evolving business initiatives.

• Monitor and ensure ongoing compliance with contractual obligations and applicable regulatory requirements.

Basic Qualifications:

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited institution and membership in at least one U.S. state bar.

• 10+ years of proven experience in transactional, commercial, construction, or technology/product legal practice.

• Demonstrated experience drafting and negotiating complex commercial agreements, including customer contracts, construction agreements, short- and long-term commercial supply agreements, and NDAs.

• Experience working on large infrastructure or development projects, including representing OEMs on equipment supply contracts and offtake agreements.

• Experience with infrastructure project finance and/or project development.

• Familiarity with standard construction documentation, including American Institute of Architects (AIA) forms and engineering, procurement & construction (EPC) agreements.

• Experience leading complex, multi-party transactions and cross-functional legal initiatives.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience supporting new business ventures, startup programs, or internal policy development.

• Familiarity with export control regulations, including International Traffic in Arms Regulations and the Export Administration Regulations.

• Ability to work efficiently and independently, manage competing priorities, and communicate clearly—verbally and in writing—to legal and non-legal audiences.

• Ability to react calmly and appropriately to situations and events that require a quick response or turnaround and take effective action without knowing the whole picture.

• Ability to provide sound, practical legal judgment in ambiguous situations and act decisively without complete information.

• Ability to earn trust and maintain productive work relationships at all levels of the organization.

• Master’s degree or other advanced degree in a relevant field (e.g., engineering, science or business).

• Familiarity with continuous improvement methodologies, such as Six Sigma or Lean.

 

Base Pay Range for:

WA applicants is $230,773.00 - $323,081.85

Other site ranges may differ

Culture Statement

Don’t meet all desired requirements? Studies have shown that some people are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single desired qualification. At Blue Origin, we are dedicated to building an authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every desired qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

Export Control Regulations

Applicants for employment at Blue Origin must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (i.e. current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum.

Background Check

• Required for all positions: Blue’s Standard Background Check
• Required for Certain Job Profiles:  Defense Biometric Identification System (DBIDS) background check if at any time the role requires one to be on a military installation
• Required for Certain Job Profiles: Drivers who operate Commercial Motor Vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW), Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) or combination of power unit and trailer that meets or exceeds 10,001 lbs. and/or transports placardable amounts of hazardous materials by ground in any vehicle on a public road while in commerce, may be subject to additional Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations including: Driver Qualification Files, Medical Certification (obtained before onboarding), Road Test, Hours of Service, Drug and Alcohol Testing, vehicle inspection requirements, CDL requirements (if applicable) and hazardous materials transportation/shipping training.
• Required for certain Job Profiles: Ability to obtain and maintain Merchant Mariner Credential, which includes pre-employment and random drug testing as well as DOT physical

Benefits

• Benefits include:  Medical, dental, vision, basic and supplemental life insurance, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability, 401(k) with a company match of up to 5%, and an Education Support Program.
• Stock Options for all regular employees (working at least 20 hours/week)
• Paid Time Off:  Up to four (4) weeks per year based on weekly scheduled hours, and up to 14 company-paid holidays.
• Dependent on role type and job level, employees may be eligible for benefits and bonuses based on the company's intent to reward individual contributions and enable them to share in the company's results, or other factors at the company's sole discretion. Bonus amounts and eligibility are not guaranteed and subject to change and cancellation. Please check with your recruiter for more details.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Blue Origin is proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and is committed to attracting, retaining, and developing a highly qualified and dedicated work force. Blue Origin hires and promotes people on the basis of their qualifications, performance, and abilities. We support the establishment and maintenance of a workplace that fosters trust, equality, and teamwork. We provide all qualified applicants for employment and employees with equal opportunities for hire, promotion, and other terms and conditions of employment, regardless of their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin/ethnicity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic factors, military/veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, and/or local law. Blue Origin will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the Washington Fair Chance Act, the California Fair Chance Act, the Los Angeles Fair Chance in Hiring Ordinance, and other applicable laws. For more information on “Know Your Rights,” please see here.

Affirmative Action and Disability Accommodation

Applicants wishing to receive information on Blue Origin’s Affirmative Action Plans, or applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in the application and/or interview process, please contact us at EEOCompliance@blueorigin.com. Please note this is a publicly managed inbox. Please do not include any personal medical information in your request.