Legal Counsel - Commercial & Construction

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.

As a member of our small and accomplished team of professionals in the Legal and Compliance Department, you will provide commercial legal support to Blue Origin on one or more of the following transaction types: construction contracting, real estate leasing and acquisition, software licenses, subscriptions to cloud-hosted services, technology development agreements, mergers & acquisitions, federal government subcontracts, and supply chain procurements. You will initially focus on a specific area aligned to your existing experience and background, and over time, you will help the Department address emerging needs by developing new expertise on top of your existing skills. This role may be based in Space Coast, Florida; Greater Seattle, Washington; or Huntsville, Alabama.

Responsibilities:

• Advise on various commercial transactions, such as software licenses, subscriptions to cloud-hosted services, technology development agreements, construction contracts, real estate leasing and acquisition, mergers & acquisitions, or supply chain procurements.

• Provide specialized legal support for construction matters, including contract drafting and negotiation, dispute resolution, claim management, regulatory compliance, and risk mitigation strategies to facilitate Blue Origin’s infrastructure development and operational objectives.

• Identify and highlight risks for subject matter experts in the areas of insurance, employment, intellectual property, environmental, information security, data privacy, and export controls.

• Provide practical legal and strategic counsel to executives and colleagues on strategy, risk assessment, and transaction execution.

• Assist with development of scalable processes, programs, and tools to support the Department’s effective and efficient delivery of legal services.

Required:

• J.D. from an accredited law school and active bar membership in good standing in at least one U.S. jurisdiction, with the ability to obtain and maintain in-house counsel registration where applicable.

• 4+ years of legal experience with a corporation, law firm, or government entity.

• Experience in one or more of the following commercial transaction types: software licensing, subscriptions to cloud-hosted services, technology development agreements, mergers & acquisitions, supply chain procurements, construction contracting, and/or real estate leasing and acquisition.

• Prior experience leading or coordinating sophisticated projects involving multiple team members, such as large discovery or due diligence projects. 

• Strong legal research skills using common electronic research resources.

• Ability to work efficiently and independently and communicate clearly, both verbally and in writing.

• Willingness to learn new skills and substantive legal areas as the Department’s needs evolve.

Preferred:

• Experience with technology transactions, manufacturing, or industrial properties.

• Familiarity with construction law, including AIA standard forms and design-build agreements.

• Work experience prior to law school, or on the business side of a large corporation or in federal government.

• 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 earn trust, maintain productive work relationships, and provide legal advice directly to clients of every level: from senior leadership to entry-level employees.

• Familiarity with U.S. government contracting, including Federal Acquisition Regulations, Defense Federal Acquisition Regulations, and agency-specific regulations.

Base Pay Range for:

WA applicants is $164,652.00 - $230,512.80

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 [email protected]. Please note this is a publicly managed inbox. Please do not include any personal medical information in your request.