Director, Trade Compliance

Application close date:

At Blue Origin we envision millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth. Were 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!

As the Director of Trade Compliance you will provide strategic and operational leadership for Blue Origins 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 companys 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 Origins compliance posture keeps pace with the companys 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 its for someone who finds compliant pathways to enable the business.

You will play a critical role in building the compliance infrastructure to support Blue Origins 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 Origins 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 Origins 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 companys 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 Origins 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 Origins 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

• Bachelors 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:

Other site ranges may differ

Culture Statement

Dont 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 youre excited about this role but your past experience doesnt 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 a refugee or granted asylum.

Background Check

• Required for all positions: Blues 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 10001 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 companys intent to reward individual contributions and enable them to share in the companys results or other factors at the companys 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.

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