Senior Earthwork Estimator

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

You will prepare accurate cost estimates and plan for our earthworks projects, which involve advanced automation technologies. This role is crucial in ensuring that our projects are both feasible and profitable, supporting our mission to revolutionize construction.

 

Responsibilities

• Prepare detailed project take-off and cost estimates for earthworks projects, including materials, labor, equipment, and other required elements

• Review project plans, specifications, and other documents to understand the scope of work and identify cost drivers

• Collaborate with engineers, project managers and business development managers to gather information necessary for accurate estimates

• Develop estimation Standard Operating Procedures and templates that allow us to bid on projects in a lean, fast and low risk manner, all the while winning projects

• Participate in site walk and customer interaction needed to scope and advance project bidding processes

• Monitor project costs during construction to ensure they align with estimates and identify variances early

• Assist in negotiating contracts with subcontractors and suppliers

 

Basic Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years of experience in earthworks or heavy civil projects

• Proficiency in construction estimating software (e.g., Trimble, B2W, Agtek, or similar)

• Proven track record of delivering accurate estimates and winning of complex construction projects

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams

 

Additional Requirements

• Comfortable with working in a fast-paced startup environment

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

• Ability to travel to job sites across Texas

 

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.