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Are you a high-performing engineer seeking the freedom and resources to achieve the impossible? COME BUILD GIANT TERRAFORMING ROBOTS THAT WILL LAY THE FOUNDATION FOR A BETTER FUTURE! At TerraFirma, we're redefining how the world moves earth for construction. Founded by former SpaceX engineers and backed by Bain Capital Ventures, TerraFirma is making construction faster, cheaper, and more sustainable through pragmatic human-in-the-loop automation. Visit for more information. Our Mission: TerraFirma was founded to build a brighter future for humanity by revolutionizing how we construct the large-scale physical infrastructure that 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 former 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! The Role: At TerraFirma, you'll shape the next generation of autonomous heavy equipment. You will take hands on ownership of projects, with a focus on both state estimation and motion/trajectory planning. You'll steer high level architecture decisions, translate algorithms from simulation to hardware, and test them in demanding real world environments. Responsibilities: State Estimation & Sensor Fusion - Design, implement, and deploy real time estimation pipelines that remain robust to sensor noise, vibration, and bias Motion / Trajectory / Path Planning - Create high level planners and low level controllers that optimize for safety, efficiency, and task completion Software & System Architecture - Own C++/Python codebases, and MCU firmware that realize Guidance, Navigation & Control functions on production hardware Simulation & Tooling - Generate digital twins, Hardware-in-the-Loop setups, and interactive visualizations to validate algorithms before field trials Field Deployment - Bring algorithms onto machines, run field experiments, diagnose issues, and iterate rapidly Basic Qualifications: B.S. in Robotics, Mechanical/Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field 3+ years of professional or advanced research experience delivering robotic software from first principles modelling through hardware deployment Proven track record owning large deliverables and driving multi disciplinary roadmaps Preferred Skills & Experience: Hands on deployment of Kalman filters or equivalent estimators on real world platforms (e.g., drones, tractors, autonomous vehicles, aircraft, rockets) Deep familiarity with sensor fusion toolchains and libraries Expertise in different motion planning frameworks Strong C++17/C and Python skills on Linux Background integrating and calibrating sensors such as IMUs, RTK GPS, wheel/arm encoders, LiDAR, and cameras Ability to work autonomously in a fast paced, hands on 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 $125,000 - $200,000. 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 help cover moving costs, if applicable. #J-18808-Ljbffr