Robotics Engineer, Embedded Software

Are you an elite engineer looking for 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.

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. 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 founded by two engineers named Noah who met while studying engineering at Princeton. After Princeton, both contributed to cutting-edge projects at SpaceX, where Noah Schochet (CEO) designed and mass-produced the Starlink user terminals and Starship rockets, and Noah McGuinness (CTO) developed flight software for SpaceX's satellite constellation. Now, they're taking the SpaceX Mentality -- rapid iteration based on engineering first principles -- to the construction industry. Their experience in pushing the boundaries of space exploration now fuels TerraFirma's mission to transform how we build the world's critical infrastructure here on Earth.

We are moving at light speed, and are ready to start scaling. Our fully functional ecosystem retrofits existing earthmoving machines (excavators, bulldozers, loaders, etc.) and enables one operator to control three or more machines simultaneously. Our headquarters, AKA Robot Ranch, is located in Austin, TX. We are committed to iterating and improving as rapidly as possible. To that end, we have fully stocked mechanical and electrical workshops, giant machines to retrofit, plenty of land to test on, and we are surrounded by earthworks projects with customers eager to start using our technology.

What we're looking for:

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!

The Role:

In this role, you won’t just be an employee- you’ll be a trailblazer. You should expect to take hands-on ownership over a variety of projects related to the embedded hardware and software for our robots. You should expect to own both high-level design decisions for custom embedded hardware and direct implementation for low-level code. Day-to-day responsibilities will involve software development for Linux-based systems with real-time constraints and microcontrollers for sensing and feedback control. Engineers in this role should expect to own platform bringup for new boards, perform driver development for new chips and sensors, and play an active role in shaping the testing framework and standards for TerraFirma's software development processes. This role is best suited for fast learners who are comfortable working with a high degree of autonomy and a large scope of responsibility.

Responsibilities:

• Design and architect firmware and low-level code for embedded systems and microcontrollers

• Perform platform bringup for new hardware, including driver implementation, sensor integration, boot chain development, and basic networking

• Own the integration, calibration, and testing of sensors both for proof-of-concept prototypes and production systems

• Lead interdisciplinary teams, mentor new employees, and actively participate in the hiring process

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Science in computer engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, or a closely related field

• 3+ years of professional or project experience with software and firmware development for embedded systems and microcontrollers

• Demonstrated experience owning large scale deliverables, leading teams, and driving product roadmaps

Preferred Skills & Experience:

• Experience working with safety-critical or real-time systems

• Experience working with embedded applications for robotics, autonomous vehicles, aerospace, automotive, or construction

• Familiarity with platform and toolchain development for embedded systems

• Experience building testing frameworks or designing CI/CD pipelines

• Ability to work autonomously in a fast-paced environment

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

Compensation & Benefits:

TerraFirma is committed to fair and equitable compensation practices. The annual salary range for this role is $100,000 - $170,000. 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.