BLUE ORIGIN is an aerospace and defense company focused on space exploration and the development of reusable launch vehicles. Founded by Jeff Bezos, the company aims to expand human activity into space while helping preserve Earth by pursuing new energy and material resources and relocating industries beyond the planet. Its partially and fully reusable systems are designed for civil, commercial, and defense customers, with an emphasis on safety and cost-effective access to space.
Senior Legal Counsel, Real Estate and Construction
Lead real estate transactions and construction legal matters for Blue Origin, advising executives and supporting projects across its U.S. and international portfolio. Develop scalable legal processes as the aerospace company expands its footprint.
United States
Alabama
Florida
Texas
Washington$197,529 – $276,539 / year
On-siteFull-timeSeniorEnglish RequiredGeneral CounselDescription
- Guide legal matters throughout the real estate life cycle, from site selection and due diligence to transactions and compliance.
- Negotiate agreements for U.S. and international properties, including leases, licenses, purchase and sale agreements, easements, amendments, and related documents.
- Lead legal support for construction contracts, claims, disputes, regulatory compliance, and risk reduction.
- Review and strengthen due diligence on title, surveys, zoning, land use, entitlements, and permits.
- Engage outside lawyers and consultants when matters require local expertise.
- Advise FMSO and Government Relations on economic incentives, tax abatements, and site-selection commitments with state and local governments.
- Work with litigation counsel on landlord and construction disputes, evaluating claims, shaping settlement strategy, negotiating, and directing external counsel.
- Identify, evaluate, and escalate issues related to compliance, insurance, risk and recovery, trade compliance, tax, and environmental, health, and safety matters.
- Offer practical legal guidance to executives and colleagues across the organization.
- Create legal processes, programs, playbooks, and tools that can scale.
Requirements
- Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school.
- Active bar membership in good standing in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
- Eligible to obtain and maintain in-house counsel registration where required.
- At least seven years of legal experience in a law firm, corporation, or government entity.
- Substantive experience in commercial real estate transactions and/or construction contracting.
- Ability to lead complex projects involving multiple team members.
- Ability to advise clients directly at all organizational levels.
- Ability to work efficiently and independently, with clear verbal and written communication.
- Sound judgment and composure in fast-moving situations, including when information is incomplete.
- Strong legal research skills using common electronic research tools.
- U.S. citizenship or nationality, U.S. permanent residency, or lawful admission to the United States as a refugee or asylee.
- Preferred: experience with industrial, manufacturing, aerospace, and/or government-owned real estate.
- Preferred: familiarity with construction law, including AIA standard forms and design-build agreements.
- Preferred: exposure to environmental issues in real estate and construction, including Phase I/II Environmental Site Assessments, CERCLA, and environmental indemnity and escrow structures.
- Preferred: experience with economic development incentives, abatements, and site-selection negotiations.
- Preferred: familiarity with U.S. government contracting, including FAR, DFARS, and agency-specific regulations.
- Preferred: work experience before law school, or business-side or federal government experience, particularly in construction management, engineering, or real estate.
Benefits
- Medical, dental, vision, and basic and supplemental life insurance.
- Paid parental leave.
- Short- and long-term disability coverage.
- 401(k) plan with a company match of up to 5%.
- Education Support Program.
- Stock options for regular employees scheduled to work at least 20 hours per week.
- Up to four weeks of paid time off per year, based on scheduled weekly hours.
- Up to 14 company-paid holidays.
- Depending on role type, job level, individual contributions, and company results, employees may qualify for additional benefits and bonuses.