Field Engineer - 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 own on-site technical oversight, ensuring seamless coordination of operations, adherence to project specifications, and integration of advanced technologies like automation tools, tele-operations, and our proprietary Mission Control. The Field Engineer will also operate heavy equipment at a functional level to support project needs, collaborating closely with operators, estimators, and project managers to deliver high-quality results.

 

Responsibilities

• Provide technical oversight during project execution, ensuring earthworks (e.g., excavation, grading, trenching) align with digital plans, specifications, budget and timeline

• Coordinate on-site activities, including scheduling equipment and labor, to maintain project timelines and efficiency

• Train, support, and manage operators in the effective use of automated and remote-controlled earth-moving equipment, ensuring optimal performance

• Operate heavy equipment (e.g., excavators, bulldozers, graders) at a functional level to support team efforts during peak workloads or specific tasks

• Monitor and troubleshoot machine control systems and teleoperations to ensure equipment performance and accuracy

• Conduct quality control checks, such as soil compaction tests or grade verification, to meet engineering standards

• Interpret and manage survey layout and staking

• Maintain detailed daily logs and reports using mobile apps or project management software for progress tracking

• Ensure strict compliance with safety regulations and industry standards, addressing the safety considerations of automated construction

• Support site demobilization and final inspections, ensuring proper documentation and client handover

 

Basic Qualifications

• 1-4 years in site prep / excavation, with proven exposure to field operations and technical coordination

• Strong understanding of earthworks construction techniques, materials, and equipment

• Experience operating heavy equipment required (functional proficiency, not expert level)

• Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, construction management, or related field; equivalent field experience considered

 

Preferred Skills & Experience

• Affinity with construction automation, robotics, or advanced technology integration in project management

• Strong problem-solving abilities and adaptability to new technologies and challenges

• Experience in a startup or high-growth company, demonstrating adaptability, ownership, and a proactive mindset

 

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.