Construction Counsel, North America Construction Operations Legal

Amazon is seeking a strategic, business-minded construction attorney to support the building and launch of Amazon's operations facilities in North America and beyond. In this role, you'll partner with Construction, Real Estate and Operations teams on high-stakes, complex buildings — from multi-million square foot fulfillment center developments to strategically located delivery stations. You'll be a legal strategist who can spot issues before they become problems, direct outside counsel effectively, and balance legal risk with business objectives. You'll work on some of the most sophisticated construction projects in the logistics industry, directly impacting Amazon's ability to deliver for our customers.Key job responsibilities- Structure, draft, and negotiate construction agreements and related project documentation for large-scale logistics and industrial facilities- Serve as strategic legal advisor to internal business partners on project execution and delivery, providing day-to-day construction law counseling across the project lifecycle- Identify and proactively flag legal and business risks in construction projects, providing practical solutions that balance risk mitigation with operational speed- Manage and direct outside counsel on construction-related matters—including disputes, specialist advisory, and complex contract negotiations—maintaining oversight of legal strategy, quality, and costs- Advise on developer, general contractor, and supply chain management, including procurement strategy, contractor performance, and subcontractor arrangements- Manage disputes, including identifying early resolution strategies and advising on escalation pathways to protect business interests- Collaborate with cross-functional teams including Real Estate, Pre-Construction, Operations, Finance, and Environmental to drive projects from site selection through facility launch- Structure creative solutions for novel legal and business challenges in a rapidly evolving construction and logistics network- Advise on permitting and regulatory compliance strategies across multiple jurisdictions- Drive process improvements and leverage AI to increase efficiency and scalability- Stay current on construction law developments, building regulations, and industry trends affecting logistics and industrial facility deliveryA day in the lifeYour day might start reviewing a general contractor's proposed amendments to a construction agreement while preparing risk guidance for the project team on a complex permitting issue. Mid-morning, you're on a call with outside counsel, directing their strategy on a pre-litigation dispute with a developer over delayed handover milestones—keeping the project on track for launch. After lunch, you're collaborating with International colleagues to develop client-facing AI solutions to streamline legal support. You spend the afternoon evaluating the potential impact of a design issue and developing a forward-looking strategy to fix the issue and recover costs from counterparties. Throughout the day, you balance urgent project escalations with strategic process improvements, making high-judgment calls that directly impact Amazon's ability to build, launch, and scale our operations network to serve customers.About the teamYou'll join Amazon's North America Construction Legal team, part of the wider Real Estate Legal organization, a dynamic group supporting one of the world's most ambitious logistics expansion programs. Our team works on construction projects including massive fulfillment centers, urban delivery stations, and specialized logistics facilities. We value strategic thinking, business partnership, and creative problem-solving. You'll work closely with experienced construction attorneys and have exposure to senior leadership on high-profile projects. We're looking for team members who thrive in fast-paced environments, can manage ambiguity, and are excited to shape the future of Amazon's physical infrastructure.Basic qualifications- 5+ years of post bar admission legal experience- Juris Doctor and membership in one state bar or equivalent- Experience in Construction Law- Experience managing complex construction contracts, project execution, delivery issues, and/or disputes.Preferred qualification - Experience of a mix of corporate law firm and in-house work- Experience handling ambiguous or undefined challenges through strong problem solving abilities- Experience managing multiple projects and priorities across teams in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment- Experience making business recommendations and influencing stakeholders- In-house experience in a technology, Internet company, or real estate / construction company- Excellent written and verbal communication skills with ability to translate complex legal concepts for business audiencesAmazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status.Our inclusive culture empowers Amazonians to deliver the best results for our customers. If you have a disability and need a workplace accommodation or adjustment during the application and hiring process, including support for the interview or onboarding process, please visit for more information. If the country/region you’re applying in isn’t listed, please contact your Recruiting Partner.The base salary range for this position is listed below. Your Amazon package will include sign-on payments and restricted stock units (RSUs). Final compensation will be determined based on factors including experience, qualifications, and location. Amazon also offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision, prescription, Basic Life & AD&D insurance and option for Supplemental life plans, EAP, Mental Health Support, Medical Advice Line, Flexible Spending Accounts, Adoption and Surrogacy Reimbursement coverage), 401(k) matching, paid time off, and parental leave. Learn more about our benefits at .USA, VA, Arlington - 153,900.00 - 208,200.00 USD annuallyUSA, WA, SEATTLE - 153,900.00 - 208,200.00 USD annually