Blue Origin

Director of Regulatory Affairs

Blue Origin$130K — $180K *
Pharmaceuticals & Biotech
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree required
  • 7+ years of congressional or technical regulatory experience
  • Hands-on experience with interpreting statute and regulations
  • Strong understanding of U.S. federal policy and rulemaking
  • Proven ability to build relationships with federal officials
  • Ability to develop and execute regulatory strategy independently
  • Established subject matter expertise in commercial space policy
  • Excellent communication skills in complex environments

Responsibilities

  • Own and implement a comprehensive advocacy strategy for regulatory frameworks
  • Serve as Blue Origin's primary expert in commercial space regulatory policy
  • Develop expertise in policy matters affecting space launch and lunar activities
  • Monitor compliance efforts to identify regulatory challenges early
  • Build relationships with congressional committees to promote Blue Origin's interests
  • Influence legislation and appropriations aligned with advocacy strategy
  • Engage with Administration officials and agencies on commercial space policy
  • Lead participation in rulemaking activities and advisory committees
  • Represent Blue Origin in industry committees to shape regulatory recommendations
  • Build coalitions for overlapping policy priorities with peer companies
  • Provide guidance to business units on regulatory challenges
  • Support strategic initiatives related to international and national security portfolios
  • Offer strategic counsel to leadership on high-impact regulatory matters

Benefits

  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • Life insurance options including supplemental coverage
  • Paid parental leave and disability insurance
  • 401(k) plan with company match up to 5%
  • Education Support Program for professional development
  • Generous paid time off policies including up to four weeks per year
  • 14 company-paid holidays annually
Full Job Description
Application close date:
Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the requisition is closed.

This role is part of Blue Origin corporate functions, providing centralized support across Blue Origin business unit teams, functions, and locations.

As part of a small, passionate and accomplished team of experts in Washington DC, you will lead Blue Origin's Regulatory Affairs function, engaging strategically with government stakeholders at the highest levels - including Members of Congress, Administration officials, White House staff, and executive agency leadership. This role provides executive-level leadership for Blue Origin's regulatory affairs strategy, shaping regulatory and legislative policy through deep relationships with congressional committees, the FAA, and other executive branch agencies.

This role requires comprehensive understanding of Blue Origin's regulatory interests through direct engagement with technical teams across every business unit, including the technical and legal interpretation of statute and resulting regulations. As a recognized internal and external subject matter expert, you will own and execute a holistic regulatory strategy encompassing legislative action, federal rulemaking leadership, advisory committee representation, and industry coalition building to advance Blue Origin's long-term business interests.

Government Relations leadership includes directing senior-level relationships with lawmakers and executive agency staff, guiding advocacy strategy on Capitol Hill, overseeing policy-related projects, managing federal and state agency interactions, and providing strategic direction to external consultants and Blue Origin partners.

Responsibilities:
  • Own and execute a comprehensive advocacy strategy centered on regulatory frameworks that support safety, technological innovation, and open competition in the marketplace
  • Serve as Blue Origin's primary subject matter expert and authoritative representative in commercial space regulatory policy, both internally and across the industry
  • Develop and maintain deep expertise in existing and emerging policy matters impacting commercial space launch, in-space, and lunar activities, including technical and legal interpretation of relevant statute and regulations
  • Proactively monitor Business Unit compliance efforts (e.g., launch licensing) to ensure regulatory roadblocks are identified early and well understood by policymakers
  • Build and maintain senior-level relationships with multiple congressional committees (CST, SST, T&I, E&C) to advance awareness of Blue Origin's programs and regulatory priorities
  • Influence authorization and appropriations legislation, including the budget process, in alignment with long-term advocacy strategy
  • Build and maintain relationships with Administration and agency personnel with commercial space policy oversight, serving as a trusted resource for agency policy teams on industry perspectives
  • Lead company participation in rulemaking activities (e.g., federal register actions, advisory committee efforts), coordinating inputs from government sales, legal, communications, and/or program teams
  • Represent Blue Origin in industry-wide committees and rulemaking bodies (e.g., FAA Space Aviation Rulemaking Committees), leading deliberations to shape recommendations in alignment with Blue Origin's priorities
  • Build coalitions between Blue Origin and peer companies for overlapping policy priorities during agency rulemaking or legislative efforts
  • Serve in leadership roles within key industry associations to track and advance Blue Origin's holistic policy priorities
  • Leverage expertise and industry relationships to provide authoritative guidance to business unit teams facing regulatory challenges
  • Maintain awareness of and provide strategic support for international, civil, and national security portfolios as appropriate
  • Provide strategic counsel to executive leadership on regulatory matters with significant long-term business impact


Qualifications:

Required:
  • Bachelors degree
  • 7+ years of congressional experience or experience with technical regulatory frameworks
  • Hands-on experience interpreting relevant statute and regulations
  • Strong working knowledge of the U.S. federal policy and rulemaking process, including authorization, appropriations, and budget development
  • Track record of building and engaging senior-level relationships with federal elected officials, Administration officials, White House staff, executive agencies, and industry stakeholders
  • Ability to independently develop and drive regulatory and legislative strategy from concept through execution
  • Established reputation as a go-to resource for commercial space regulatory policy, both within an organization and across the industry
  • Comfortable leading responses to fast-moving or novel issues where organizational positions haven't yet been defined
  • Clear and compelling communicator - both written and verbal - in technically complex environments
  • Strong attention to detail


Desired:
  • Experience working with suppliers, trade associations, and/or industry coalitions at a leadership level, as well as on cross-functional business teams
  • Experience with 14 CFR Part 400 regulations and/or 47 CFR Part 25/26 regulations
  • Experience leading or participating in Rulemaking Committees or similar federal advisory bodies

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.

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.


About Blue Origin

Blue Origin is an aerospace company that develops rockets and spacecraft for commercial and government customers. The company's products include the New Shepard suborbital vehicle and the New Glenn orbital rocket. Blue Origin was founded in 2000 by Jeff Bezos and is headquartered in Kent, Washington.
Learn more about Blue Origin
Size
3,000 employees
Industry
Founded
2000

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