Principal Legal Counsel

About the role

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

Responsibilities

• 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.
• Advises 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.
• Lead the development and management of international employment matters, coordinating with local outside counsel as Blue Origin expands into new jurisdictions.

Requirements

• J.D. from an accredited law school and active bar membership in good standing (Washington State bar or ability to waive in preferred).
• 12+ 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.

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.

Skills

• Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Strong analytical and organizational skills.
• Knowledge of employment law and regulations.
• Experience with compensation and benefits administration.
• Experience with labor relations and collective bargaining.
• Ability to manage outside counsel and litigation matters.

Benefits

• 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%.
• 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.