Takeoff Technician – Earthworks & Site Development

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 produce the quantity takeoffs that drive TerraFirma’s estimating process for earthworks and site development projects. You will work closely with estimators, engineers, and project managers to translate civil plans and field conditions into accurate, decision-ready quantities that shape how we bid work.

This role is highly detail-oriented and execution-focused. You will own takeoff outputs across grading, excavation, utilities, paving, and related scopes, while helping improve the speed, accuracy, and repeatability of how TerraFirma prices jobs. As our internal estimating tools and workflows evolve, you will also help refine the systems that make takeoff faster and more reliable.

 

Responsibilities

• Prepare detailed quantity takeoffs for earthworks and site development scopes, including grading, excavation, fill, utilities, and paving

• Review civil drawings, specifications, geotechnical reports, and related bid documents to define scope accurately

• Generate cut/fill quantities, haul assumptions, and material volume calculations that can be translated directly into estimates

• Work closely with estimators to structure takeoff outputs into clear, usable estimating inputs

• Identify scope gaps, quantity risks, and plan inconsistencies early in the bid process

• Support pre-bid planning through site visits, walkthroughs, and coordination with project stakeholders when required

• Maintain organized, traceable documentation for takeoffs, assumptions, and bid packages

• Improve internal templates, standards, and workflows to increase takeoff speed, consistency, and accuracy

• Provide feedback on software tools and internal systems used in estimating and project planning

 

Basic Qualifications

• 2–5 years of experience performing construction takeoffs, preferably in earthworks, grading, site development, or heavy civil construction

• Strong experience with takeoff or earthwork software such as AGTEK, Trimble Business Center, B2W Estimate, Bluebeam, Civil 3D, or similar tools

• Ability to read and interpret civil engineering plans, specifications, and supporting project documents

• Strong understanding of grading plans, cut/fill analysis, and site development scope

• High attention to detail and strong analytical skills

• Ability to work effectively with estimators, engineers, and project teams in a fast-moving environment

   

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 occasionally to job sites across Texas

• Interest in construction technology, robotics, and automation

 

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.