Legal Counsel

Our Story & Mission

TerraFirma is redefining how the world moves earth for construction. Founded by former SpaceX engineers and backed by Kleiner Perkins and Bain Capital Ventures, TerraFirma automates construction to make it faster, cheaper, and safer.

Our team previously built the largest rocket in human history, launched the largest satellite constellation, and delivered global connectivity at SpaceX. We learned that infrastructure is everything. The biggest barrier to launching missions to Mars was not the rocket itself but the slow, expensive, and complex process of building supporting infrastructure—buildings, roads, water, power, communications, and waste management.

Applying the engineering mindset of simplification, iteration, acceleration, and automation to construction, we aim to unlock a new era in how the world builds. Accelerating infrastructure unlocks progress across every domain and creates a self‑sustaining engine for tackling humanity’s toughest challenges. The innovations we develop on Earth will lay the groundwork for technologies that one day enable settlement on Mars.

Job Overview

You will be TerraFirma's first dedicated legal hire, supporting the company across the range of legal needs that come with building hardware, running construction projects, and scaling a fast‑growing startup. You’ll work closely with leadership and outside counsel to handle contracts, compliance, and day‑to‑day legal questions, helping put the right practices in place as the company grows.

Responsibilities

• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of commercial contracts, including vendor agreements, customer contracts, and construction‑related agreements.
• Support compliance with employment law, safety regulations, and other requirements relevant to a hardware and construction company.
• Advise on corporate matters including equity, fundraising documentation, and general corporate governance.
• Manage and coordinate with outside counsel on specialized matters (litigation, IP, regulatory, government contracting) as needed.
• Help establish and improve legal processes, templates, and playbooks as the company scales.
• Support the sales and business development teams on customer and government contract review and negotiation.
• Provide practical, business‑minded legal guidance to leadership and teams across the company.

Basic Qualifications

• J.D. and active bar membership in good standing.
• 4–8 years of relevant legal experience, including in‑house or law‑firm experience supporting a technology, construction, hardware, or manufacturing company.
• Strong contract drafting and negotiation skills.
• Ability to work independently and make sound, practical judgment calls with limited oversight.

Preferred Skills & Experience

• In‑house experience at a startup or fast‑growing company.
• Experience with government contracting, construction law, or regulatory matters relevant to hardware/construction companies.
• Familiarity with corporate/equity matters and working alongside outside counsel on fundraising.
• Comfortable being the first or an early legal hire, building processes rather than just following them.

Additional Requirements

• Comfortable working in a fast‑paced startup environment.
• Willingness to relocate to Austin, TX if not within commuting distance.
• Willingness to work extended hours when needed to support critical business needs.