Director, Trade Compliance

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 m