Director, Trade Compliance at Blue Origin – Washington, District of Columbia

Title: Director, Trade Compliance

Location: Greater Seattle Area | Space Coast, FL

Position Type: Full time

Requisition ID: R62111

Description:

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 the Director of Trade Compliance, you will provide strategic and operational leadership for Blue Origin's trade compliance program, overseeing a team of subject matter experts responsible for ensuring the company meets its rapidly expanding domestic and international business objectives while maintaining full compliance with all applicable export control, import, and prohibited trade practice laws and regulations. You will serve as a key member of the Legal & Compliance leadership team, shaping the enterprise trade compliance strategy and partnering directly with business unit leaders across all Blue Origin programs.

You will own the maturation and scaling of the Trade Compliance function as the company's operational footprint, international engagements, and program complexity grow. You will be the primary enterprise authority on trade compliance risk, classification decisions, and regulatory engagement, ensuring Blue Origin's compliance posture keeps pace with the company's ambitious growth trajectory.

This role requires a leader who can operate at the intersection of legal, technical, and business domains — someone who understands the nuances of ITAR/EAR classification in an advanced aerospace and space environment, and who can translate regulatory requirements into actionable business guidance for engineering, supply chain, business development, and program teams. You must be an exceptional communicator who thrives in a fast-paced, high-growth environment and brings a problem-solving mindset to complex regulatory challenges. This is not a role for someone who builds barriers — it's for someone who finds compliant pathways to enable the business.

You will play a critical role in building the compliance infrastructure to support Blue Origin's expanding international market presence, licensing strategy, and global partnerships. The company is at an inflection point — the trade compliance program needs a leader who can stand it up at enterprise scale, implement new compliance technologies, establish processes where none exist today, and drive organizational change across a rapidly scaling business.

This position will report to the General Counsel and will be based in Kent, WA or at our Florida Space Coast facility, with regular engagement across Blue Origin's U.S. operations, as well as emerging international locations.

We are looking for someone to apply their technical expertise, knowledge of how to build systems and processes, including using AI to get to rapid results, leadership skills, and commitment to quality to positively impact safe human spaceflight. Passion for our mission and vision is required!

Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership:

• Own and drive the enterprise trade compliance strategy, ensuring alignment with Blue Origin's evolving business objectives, program portfolio, and international engagement plans

• Serve as primary advisor to senior leadership on trade compliance risk, regulatory trends, and strategic implications of export control requirements on business decisions

• Anticipate and proactively address emerging compliance risks as the company scales — including new programs, international partnerships, supply chain expansion, and workforce growth

• Lead the continuous improvement and maturation of the trade compliance program, establishing and revising as necessary best-in-class policies, procedures, systems, automation and tools, and controls

• Develop and execute the strategy for international market penetration from a trade compliance perspective, ensuring compliant pathways for global partnerships

• Represent Blue Origin externally with regulatory agencies (DDTC, BIS, CBP, OFAC), industry associations, and peer companies on trade compliance matters

Operational Excellence:

• Oversee all aspects of ITAR, EAR, FTR, and OFAC compliance including commodity jurisdiction and classification determinations, license applications and agreements, technology control plans, and deemed export management

• Direct the company's export licensing program, including preparation, submission, and management of licenses and agreements through DECCS, SNAP-R, and related regulatory portals

• Oversee classification and jurisdiction determinations across the U.S. Munitions List (USML) and Commerce Control List (CCL) for Blue Origin's full product and technology portfolio

• Lead internal investigations of potential noncompliance, directing root cause analysis, remedial actions, voluntary disclosures, and corrective measures across the enterprise

• Manage regulatory agency relationships including DDTC, BIS, CBP, OFAC, and other relevant authorities

• Drive the implementation of trade compliance technology platforms and automation tools in partnership with Enterprise Technology, replacing manual processes with scalable systems

Cross-Functional Partnership:

• Build and maintain effective partnerships with business unit leaders, engineering leadership, supply chain, HR, Enterprise Technology, Corporate Communications, and Security to embed compliance into business operations

• Collaborate with the Legal & Compliance team to ensure trade compliance is integrated with broader enterprise risk management, ethics, and compliance programs

• Serve as trade compliance authority in proposal, contract, and business development activities, providing guidance on export control implications of new business pursuits and international engagements

• Partner with business development and program leadership to enable international growth opportunities, providing creative, compliant solutions that support Blue Origin's competitive positioning in global markets

Team Leadership:

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of trade compliance professionals, fostering a culture of excellence, accountability, and continuous learning

• Set strategic goals for the team that align with organizational objectives and individual professional development aspirations

• Oversee the team in alignment with company objectives, including workforce planning, hiring, and organizational design

• Oversee the enterprise trade compliance training and awareness program, building a culture of compliance at all levels of the organization

Minimum Qualifications:

• Accustomed to working with a customer focus in a high-demand, fast-paced environment

• Experience driving organizational change and building compliance culture

• Bachelor's degree required; J.D. or advanced degree preferred

• 12+ years of progressive trade compliance experience in the defense, aerospace, satellite, telecoms or similar technology, or space industry, with at least 5 years in a leadership role managing trade compliance teams

• Deep expertise in ITAR, EAR, FTR, OFAC sanctions regulations, and related U.S. export control and trade compliance frameworks

• Demonstrated experience with USML and CCL classification in a space launch, propulsion, spacecraft, or advanced defense systems environment

• Proven track record of leading and resolving complex noncompliance investigations, including voluntary disclosures to DDTC and/or BIS

• Strong proficiency with federal compliance portal systems

• Experience significantly maturing a trade compliance program in a growing or transforming organization

• Demonstrated ability to influence and advise senior leadership on trade compliance risk and strategy

• Exceptional communication skills with the ability to operate as a true business partner — translating complex regulatory requirements into clear, actionable guidance that enables business objectives

• Ability to travel up to 20% of the time, including internationally as necessary

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in a commercial space, satellite constellation, or launch vehicle environment

• Familiarity with satellite systems, constellation architectures, or space data infrastructure from a trade compliance perspective

• Empowered Official designation or immediate ability to obtain

• Licensed Customs Broker (LCB) certification

• Familiarity with Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) classification and customs compliance

• Familiarity with Defense Office of Prepublication and Security Review (DOPSR) submission processes

• Familiarity with FCPA, Sanctions, and Anti-boycott regulations

• Experience implementing or managing trade compliance technology platforms and automation

• Experience with deemed export programs in environments with large international technical workforces

• Experience supporting international market entry, international office establishment, or global partnership enablement from a trade compliance perspective

Compensation Range for:

WA applicants is $218,262.00 - $305,566.80

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.

• 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.

California Applicant Privacy Notice

If you are a California resident, please reference the CA Applicant Privacy Notice here.