Business Development Manager - Heavy Civil & Excavation

At TerraFirma, we’re redefining how the world moves earth for construction. Founded by former SpaceX engineers and backed by Kleiner Perkins and Bain Capital Ventures, TerraFirma is automating construction to make it faster, cheaper, and safer.

Our Story & Mission
At SpaceX, we were part of the teams that built the largest rocket in human history, launched the largest constellation of satellites ever made, and delivered connectivity to millions of people worldwide. What we learned was simple: infrastructure is everything.

At Starbase, the biggest barrier to launching missions to Mars was not building the rocket. It was how slow, expensive, and complex it was to build the infrastructure around it. We lacked buildings, roads, water, power, communications, and waste management, and constructing them took far more time and resources than it should have.

From a first-principles perspective, that doesn't make sense. It shouldn't be this hard or costly to create the foundations for progress. That’s when we realized something important: the same engineering mindset that enabled us to tackle space exploration and mass manufacturing could be applied to infrastructure. By bringing the principles of simplification, iteration, acceleration, and automation to construction, we can unlock a new era in how the world builds.

Accelerating infrastructure unlocks progress across every domain, creating a self-sustaining engine for tackling humanity’s toughest challenges. The innovations we develop on Earth will lay the groundwork for the technologies that one day make settlement on Mars possible.

Job Overview
In this role, you will drive TerraFirma's efforts in forging strategic alliances and securing new business opportunities. This role focuses on building relationships with developers, contractors, and other major players in the earthmoving industry while driving the sales pipeline for site prep and excavation projects.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain strategic partnerships with major developers, general contractors, corporates, and other major players in the earthmoving industry

• Drive the development of TerraFirma’s network of partners at the forefront of building out the next generation of infrastructure in the US

• Represent TerraFirma at industry events, conferences, and networking opportunities to promote our brand and services

• Lead and coordinate the preparation and submission of proposals, bids, and tenders, collaborating with estimators and project teams to ensure accurate and compelling submissions

• Support the development and promotion of marketing materials and case studies showcasing successful projects and partnerships

 

Basic Qualifications

• 5+ years in business development, sales, or partnership management in construction, excavation, or related industries

• Familiarity with CRM software (e.g., Salesforce), proposal writing tools, and proven understanding of earthworks or heavy equipment operations a plus

• Proven experience with business development in frontier construction technology and robotics

 

Preferred Skills & Experience

• Extended network in the Texas earthworks, construction, and data center industries

• Demonstrated success in securing contracts and building long-term partnerships, with a portfolio of at least 5 major deals in the past 3 years

• Excellent negotiation, communication, and presentation skills

 

Additional Requirements

• Must be willing to work extended hours or weekends when needed to support critical deadlines or triage urgent deployment issues

• Comfortable with working in a fast-paced startup environment

• Must be willing to relocate to Austin, TX if not within commuting distance

 

Compensation & Benefits
Base compensation will vary based on factors such as relevant experience and education. Salaries and leveling will be determined on a case-by-case basis if an offer is extended. Our total compensation package also includes equity in TerraFirma. Relocation packages are available to help cover moving costs, if applicable.