Head of Construction Operations

Are you an elite individual seeking the freedom and resources to achieve the impossible? THEN COME BUILD GIANT TERRAFORMING ROBOTS THAT WILL BUILD A BETTER FUTURE!

At TerraFirma, we're not just building robots —we’re redefining how the world moves earth for construction.

Our team, founded by former SpaceX engineers and backed by Bain Capital Ventures, is driven by a mission to make construction faster, more efficient, and more sustainable through pragmatic human-in-the-loop automation.

Visit www.buildgiantrobots.com for more information.

The Role

In this role, you’ll build a badass tech-enabled construction team capable of moving an order of magnitude faster than anyone else in the earthmoving industry. As the critical link between construction and engineering, you will combine exceptional project management skills and a deep understanding of construction processes, while constantly improving operational efficiency, reducing costs, and providing crucial feedback to our engineering teams.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the planning, coordination, and execution of construction projects incorporating robotic systems. Ensure projects are completed on time, within scope, and within budget.

• Maintain clear and frequent communication with clients, contractors, architects, and internal teams regarding project progress, milestones, risks, and issues.

• Ensure that our robotic systems meet the highest standards of quality and safety. Develop and enforce safety protocols for our systems operating in dynamic construction environments.

• Develop and manage project budgets, ensuring that all operational expenses, materials, equipment, and labor are efficiently forecasted, allocated, and tracked.

• Be a champion of organization and discipline while being able to plan and iterate quickly.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, or related field OR 3+ years of experience in construction, construction project management, or civil engineering.

• Demonstrated experience owning large-scale projects, large teams, and integrating technology/robotics with civil or construction operations.

Preferred Skills & Experience:

• Experience working with earthworks, site prep, construction/excavation equipment

• Strong understanding of construction safety protocols

• Extensive construction network of partners and customers

Additional Requirements:

• Must be willing to work extended hours or weekends when needed to support critical deadlines or triage urgent deployment issues

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

Our Mission:

TerraFirma was founded to build a brighter future for humanity by revolutionizing how we construct the large-scale physical infrastructure our civilization desperately needs. From enabling mega-scale renewable energy projects and constructing resilient cities, to building efficient transportation and eco-friendly water infrastructure, our work today paves the way for a brighter, more sustainable future. The first step in all of these projects is to move massive amounts of dirt incredibly efficiently, both in the near-term and distant future. As we look to the stars, we recognize that mining, processing, and moving raw materials will be the foundation of humanity's expansion into the cosmos. TerraFirma is pioneering the technology that will not only secure a sustainable future for humanity on Earth but also unlock the boundless possibilities of interplanetary expansion.

Our Company:

TerraFirma was born from the minds of Noah Schochet (CEO) and Noah McGuinness (CTO), two accomplished SpaceX engineers who first met while studying engineering at Princeton. At SpaceX, Schochet led the design and mass production of Starlink user terminals and Starship rockets, while McGuinness developed flight software for the satellite constellation. Now, they're applying the SpaceX mentality - rapid iteration based on engineering first principles - to revolutionize the construction industry.

We're moving at light speed, scaling our team and operations to transform how we build critical infrastructure on Earth. Our groundbreaking ecosystem retrofits existing earthmoving machines, allowing a single operator to control multiple excavators, bulldozers, and loaders simultaneously.

Headquartered at our "Robot Ranch" in Austin, TX, we're committed to rapid iteration and swift innovation. Our facility boasts fully equipped mechanical and electrical workshops, giant machines to retrofit, and ample testing grounds. We're surrounded by earthworks projects and eager customers, creating the perfect environment to develop and deploy our cutting-edge technology at warp speed.

What We're Seeking:

We’re seeking innovators, boundary-pushers, and people who will move heaven and earth to achieve the impossible. If you are someone who:

• Is driven by a relentless need to make the world better

• Thrives in fast-paced, high-pressure environments

• Hates being a cog in a machine and wants extreme ownership and opportunities to learn

• Has developed versatile technical skills by building amazing projects

• Can wear many hats, and loves learning new skills quickly

Then you're in the right place!

Compensation & Benefits:

TerraFirma is committed to fair and equitable compensation practices. The annual salary range for this role is $110,000 - $150,000. 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 generous equity in TerraFirma. Relocation packages are available to compensate employees for moving costs if applicable.