Heavy Equipment Operator - 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.

 

Job Overview
In this role, you will combine traditional heavy equipment operation with the use of advanced technologies like automation tools, tele-operation, and our proprietary Mission Control to execute earthworks involving clearing, grading, grubbing, and excavation.

Responsibilities

• Operate advanced heavy equipment for site prep and excavation (e.g., excavators, bulldozers, graders, skid steers, etc.)

• Learn how to use our proprietary Mission Control platform and on-site remote controlling technology

• Perform daily equipment inspections, including onboard tech systems, and report maintenance needs through digital platforms

• Execute excavation tasks while adhering to project specifications and safety protocols

• Maintain a safe work environment by following OSHA regulations, company safety standards, and site-specific protocols

• Assist with minor equipment troubleshooting and coordinate with maintenance partners for repairs

   

Basic Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years of experience operating heavy equipment for site prep and excavation (e.g., excavators, bulldozers, graders)

• Proven affinity with technological systems or use of construction software

• High school diploma or equivalent

 

Preferred Skills & Experience

• Strong understanding of earthworks processes (e.g., grading, compaction, trenching)

• High level of tech literacy and interest in new technologies (e.g., drones, simulators, or digital tools)

• Ability to read and interpret digital site plans, blueprints, and grade stakes

• Ability to work in various weather conditions, lift up to 50 lbs., and perform physically demanding tasks

 

Additional Requirements

• Valid driver’s license; willingness to travel to project sites and work flexible hours, including weekends when required

• Comfortable 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.

 

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.