Principal Legal Counsel

BLUE ORIGIN • West Melbourne, FL

1d • $230,773 - $323,082 • Onsite

About The Position

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. 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.

Requirements

• 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.

Nice To Haves

• 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.

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.
• 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.

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%, 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Principal
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree