Construction Project Manager- Heavy Civil and Excavation

TerraFirma, Inc.; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in Austin is seeking a Project Manager for Excavation and Earthworks to lead heavy civil projects. The role involves project planning, execution, and ensuring compliance with safety and quality standards. Ideal candidates will have a strong background in construction management and experience with heavy equipment. Join a dynamic team focused on innovative automation in construction.

Benefits

Generous equity in TerraFirma

Relocation packages available

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years of experience in construction project management.
• Proven track record of managing projects involving heavy equipment.

Responsibilities

• Manage project budgets, schedules, and resources.
• Ensure compliance with safety regulations and industry standards.
• Monitor project progress and oversee job site operations.

Skills

Leadership

Problem Solving

Adaptability

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management

Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering

Tools

Primavera

MS Project

Job description

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.terrafirma.inc for more information.

The Role

The Project Manager for Excavation and Earthworks at TerraFirma will spearhead the planning, execution, and delivery of heavy civil projects (excavation, grading, site-prep, etc.), leveraging our innovative automation and mission control technology. This role is pivotal in overseeing the entire project lifecycle, ensuring projects are completed safely, meeting quality expectations, are on schedule, and within budget.

Responsibilities:

• Manage project budgets, schedules, and resources, maximizing the efficiency gains from automated equipment to deliver cost-effective outcomes.

• Ensure strict compliance with safety regulations and industry standards, addressing the safety considerations of automated construction.

• Monitor project progress, oversee job site operations, proactively identify risks, and implement solutions to maintain project timelines and quality standards.

• Communicate regularly with clients, providing clear updates on project status, and milestones.

• Train, support and manage operators in the effective use of automated and remote-controlled earth-moving equipment, ensuring optimal performance.

• Collect and analyze project data to drive continuous improvements in automation technology and operational processes.

• Negotiate contracts with subcontractors and suppliers.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, or a related field.

• Minimum of 3 years of experience in construction project management, with at least 2 years focused on earthworks or heavy civil construction.

• Proven track record of managing projects involving heavy equipment and earth-moving activities, with budgets ranging from $100,000 to $20 million.

• Strong understanding of earthworks construction techniques, materials, and equipment.

• Proficiency in project management software (e.g., Primavera, MS Project) and tools for scheduling and budgeting.

Preferred Skills & Experience:

• Experience with construction automation, robotics, or advanced technology integration in project management.

• Exceptional leadership and team management skills, with a history of mentoring and developing talent.

• Strong problem-solving abilities and adaptability to new technologies and challenges.

• Experience in a startup or high-growth company, demonstrating flexibility and ownership.

Additional Requirements:

• Must be based in or willing to relocate to Austin, Texas.

• Ability to travel to job sites as needed.

• Comfortable working in a dynamic, fast-paced startup environment with a focus on rapid innovation.

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. 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. 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.