About the role
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 design, build, and deploy the electrical systems that power TerraFirma’s semi-autonomous heavy equipment. The role spans system architecture, PCB design, manufacturing, integration, and hands-on troubleshooting in the lab and field. You will work closely with mechanical, firmware, software, and operations teams to develop reliable hardware through rapid iteration and lessons from real-world deployment.
Responsibilities
- Design electrical systems, including PCBs, harnesses, digital and analog circuits, and power electronics
- Bring up, test, and troubleshoot boards and integrated systems in the lab and field
- Work with suppliers and manufacturers on PCB fabrication, assembly, sourcing, and production
- Integrate electrical hardware into heavy equipment operating in demanding environments
- Document designs, test results, and changes to support manufacturing and continued development
Basic Qualifications
- B.S. in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field
- Hands-on experience designing, building, testing, or debugging electrical systems
- Experience with PCB design, electrical system design, hardware troubleshooting, or electronics manufacturing
Preferred Skills & Experience
- Experience taking PCBs from design through manufacturing and board bring-up
- Experience developing firmware or working with embedded systems
- Experience using oscilloscopes, multimeters, logic analyzers, and other electrical test equipment
- Experience designing systems for high-vibration, outdoor, or other demanding environments
- Familiarity with wiring, connectors, harnessing, and fail-safe design principles
Additional Requirements
- Comfortable with working in a fast-paced startup environment
- Must be willing to relocate to Austin, TX if not within commuting distance
- Must be willing to work extended hours or weekends when needed to support critical deadlines
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.