Electrical Engineer

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.