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.

Principal Legal Counsel, Labor, Employment, Compensation & Benefits

Department: Legal Location: Washington State, Florida

Blue Origin was founded to develop reusable launch vehicles and spacecraft to enable a future where millions of people live and work in space. We believe in the power of our mission and the importance of the people who make it possible. Our legal team plays a critical role in supporting that mission by providing practical, business-focused legal counsel across the enterprise.

Blue Origin is seeking a seasoned Principal Legal Counsel to join its Legal & Compliance department as a senior legal advisor for labor, employment, compensation, and benefits matters. This role provides strategic counsel across all workforce-related legal matters. The Principal will own dedicated workstreams supporting the Talent Acquisition and Talent Culture & Total Rewards teams, provide supplemental support across all employment law areas, and lead the development of enterprise-wide employment law programs and policies. The ideal candidate brings deep subject matter expertise, strong business judgment, and the ability to manage complex, high-stakes matters in a fast-moving environment.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Provide strategic counsel across all labor, employment, compensation, and benefits matters.
• Advise on the design and administration of compensation programs, including base pay, long-term incentive plans, and compensation fairness, and ensure compliance with applicable tax and regulatory requirements.
• Serve as the primary legal contact for the Talent Acquisition team on hiring practices, conflicts of interest review, offer letters, background check compliance, and immigration coordination.
• Serve as the primary legal contact for the Talent Culture & Total Rewards team on leaves, accommodations, compensation, benefits, and incentive programs, including ERISA, ACA, COBRA, and HIPAA compliance.
• Advise on labor strategy and lawful employer communications.
• Oversee employment litigation strategy, manage outside counsel relationships and budget, and advise on high-exposure and executive-level employment matters.
• Lead the development and maintenance of enterprise-wide employment policies, compliance programs, and training for HR and business leaders.
• Monitor legislative and regulatory developments and proactively advise leadership on compliance obligations and strategic implications.
• Serve as the internal lead for international employment matters, coordinating with local outside counsel as Blue Origin expands into new jurisdictions.

Minimum Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school and active bar membership in good standing (Washington State bar or ability to waive in preferred).
• 15+ years of legal experience, with a combination of law firm and in-house experience strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated expertise across the full spectrum of federal and state employment laws, including Title VII, ADEA, ADA, FMLA, FLSA, and NLRA.
• Significant experience advising on compensation matters, including compensation fairness.
• Substantial experience advising on ERISA-governed benefit plans, including health and welfare plans.
• Proven track record managing complex employment litigation and agency proceedings, including oversight of outside counsel.
• Experience advising CHROs and senior HR leadership on sensitive, high-stakes workforce matters.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex legal issues clearly and persuasively to executive audiences.
• Strong business acumen and a track record of delivering practical, risk-calibrated legal advice in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated ability to build credibility and influence at all levels of an organization.
• Must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with OFCCP compliance, affirmative action obligations, and federal contractor requirements.
• Experience managing multi-state workforces across various regulatory environments.
• Experience leading or building an employment law function within an in-house legal department.
• Exposure to international employment matters and cross-border workforce compliance.

 

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 (CDL drivers only), 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.