Sr Legal Counsel - Real Estate & Construction

About the job

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 serve as the Department's primary legal support for real estate and construction matters and transactions. You will own this practice area: independently handling transactions and disputes, advising executives and cross-functional partners on risk and strategy, and building the processes, playbooks, and tools that let the practice scale as Blue Origin's footprint grows across the U.S. and internationally. This role may be based in Space Coast, Florida; Greater Seattle, Washington; Hutto, Texas; or Huntsville, Alabama.

Responsibilities:

• Serve as lead counsel across Blue Origin's real estate life cycle, partnering with the Facilities, Maintenance, Security, and Operations (FMSO) team from site identification and due diligence through transactional execution and ongoing compliance.
• Draft, review and negotiate agreements across Blue Origin’s U.S. and international real estate portfolio, including letters of intent and other preliminary agreements, leases, licenses, purchase and sale agreements, estoppel certificates, subordination, non-disturbance and attornment agreements (SNDAs), easements, renewals, amendments, and non-disclosure agreements.
• Lead construction legal support, including contract drafting and negotiation, claim management, dispute resolution, regulatory compliance, and risk mitigation strategies to advance Blue Origin’s infrastructure development and operational objectives.
• Conduct and improve real estate due diligence, including review of title commitments and exceptions, surveys, easements, and covenants, conditions, and restrictions (CC&Rs); advise on zoning, land use, entitlements, and permitting matters, coordinating with outside counsel and consultants where specialized local expertise is required.
• Support FMSO and Government Relations on economic incentives, abatements, and site-selection commitments with state and local governmental authorities, including documentation, claw-back exposure, and ongoing compliance obligations.
• Manage landlord and construction disputes in coordination with litigation counsel, including claim evaluation, settlement strategy and negotiation, and direction of outside counsel as required.
• Identify, assess and escalate risks in partnership with cross-functional subject matter experts across regulatory compliance; insurance, risk and recovery; trade compliance; tax; and environmental, health and safety.
• Provide practical, business-oriented counsel to executives and colleagues at every level, and build scalable processes, programs, and tools that improve the Department’s 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.
• 7+ years of legal experience with a law firm, corporation, or government entity, including substantive experience in commercial real estate transactions and/or construction contracting.
• Demonstrated ability to lead sophisticated projects involving multiple team members, such as large due diligence projects or multi-site transaction efforts.
• 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.
• Ability to earn trust work efficiently and independently and communicate clearly, both verbally and in writing.
• Sound judgment and composure in fast-moving situations, including the ability to take effective action with incomplete information.
• Strong legal research skills using common electronic research resources, and a willingness to learn new substantive areas as the Department's needs evolve.

Preferred:

• Experience with industrial, manufacturing, aerospace, and/or government-owned real estate.
• Familiarity with construction law, including AIA standard forms and design-build agreements.
• Exposure to environmental matters in real estate and construction, including Phase I/II Environmental Site Assessments, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), and environmental indemnity and escrow structures.
• Experience with economic development incentives, abatements, and site-selection negotiations.
• Familiarity with U.S. government contracting, including Federal Acquisition Regulations, Defense Federal Acquisition Regulations, and agency-specific regulations.
• Work experience prior to law school, or on the business side of a large corporation or in federal government, particularly in construction management, engineering, or real estate.

Base Pay Range for:

WA applicants is $197,529.00 - $276,539.55

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 EEOCompliance@blueorigin.com. Please note this is a publicly managed inbox. Please do not include any personal medical information in your request.