---
title: 'Lead Chemistry & Materials Engineer at Last Energy'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/lead-chemistry-materials-engineer-last-energy-austin-gbe4y0zzbct9'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-08'
---

# Lead Chemistry & Materials Engineer at Last Energy

- **Company:** Last Energy
- **Location:** Austin, TX
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Work type:** onsite
- **Posted:** 2023-11-15
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-08
- **Apply:** https://jobs.lever.co/last-energy/a6b8d2ce-004e-4d16-bbf1-7c00c7765a26

## Job description

Last Energy seeks a highly skilled and experienced Lead Chemistry & Materials Engineer to join our innovative team. In this role, you will lead the charge in material selection, water chemistry program development, and materials compatibility assessment to drive the success of our diverse engineering projects.

## Key Duties & Responsibilities

- Water Chemistry Program: Develop and manage water chemistry programs to ensure the optimal performance and longevity of materials in systems that involve water, such as cooling systems, pipelines, or heat exchangers
- Material Selection: Identify and select materials, including commonly used alloys, that are appropriate for the company's engineering projects and technologies. Evaluate the suitability of materials for specific applications and conditions
- Materials Compatibility: Assess the compatibility of selected materials with the water chemistry requirements and the operating environment, taking into account factors like corrosion resistance, erosion, and chemical reactions
- Collaboration: Work closely with multidisciplinary teams, including engineers, to integrate materials and processes into the development of new technologies

## Qualifications

- Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science or a related field
- A Master's degree may be preferred for experienced applicants
- 8+ years of experience in material selection and water chemistry management in relevant industrial settings
- Understanding of industry standards and regulations related to materials selection and water chemistry
- Ability to adapt to a dynamic and rapidly evolving engineering technology environment
- Collaborative and able to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams to achieve project objectives

## About Last Energy

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Last Energy develops and deploys micro modular pressurized water reactor (PWR) power plants using a full-service, factory-built model to deliver clean, reliable, on-site baseload electricity for industrial customers and utilities.
- **Entity Type**: Private (Venture Capital-Backed, Series C)
- **Headquarters**: Austin, Texas, USA (also has an office in Washington, D.C.)
- **Founded**: 2019
- **Founders**: Founded by the Energy Impact Center (EIC), led by Bret Kugelmass [lastenergy.com/about](https://www.lastenergy.com/about)

## Core Business
- **Primary industry**: Nuclear power generation, clean energy infrastructure, climate technology
- **Target customers**: B2B – data centers, energy-intensive industrial facilities, utilities seeking behind-the-meter or on-premises baseload power [lastenergy.com](https://www.lastenergy.com/)
- **Mission**: “How to deliver abundant, reliable energy fast enough to support modern industry and economic growth” [lastenergy.com/about](https://www.lastenergy.com/about)

## Products & Services
- **PWR-20**: A 20 MWe micro modular nuclear reactor based on proven pressurized water reactor technology. The plant is fully factory-fabricated, uses proprietary steel containment, and is designed for rapid on-site assembly. Last Energy acts as designer, owner, operator, and independent power producer, selling power under long-term purchase agreements [lastenergy.com](https://www.lastenergy.com/)

## Market Standing
- **Valuation / Market Cap**: Not publicly disclosed (private company)
- **Key Metric**: Total disclosed funding raised is **$324 M**; latest round was a **$101 M Series C** completed on July 18, 2025 [pitchbook.com](https://pitchbook.com/profiles/company/265186-36)
- **Notable Investors**: AE Ventures, Astera Institute, Chaucer Global, Dysruptek, Endowment Arm [pitchbook.com](https://pitchbook.com/profiles/company/265186-36)
- **Growth Signals**: 
  - 60 employees and growing [pitchbook.com](https://pitchbook.com/profiles/company/265186-36)
  - 15 active patents, with several recently filed for containment structures [pitchbook.com](https://pitchbook.com/profiles/company/265186-36)
  - Company status is “Generating Revenue” [pitchbook.com](https://pitchbook.com/profiles/company/265186-36)
  - Active hiring for key operational roles in Austin, TX [jobs.lever.co](https://jobs.lever.co/last-energy)

## Competitive Advantages
- **Full-service delivery model**: Last Energy designs, builds, owns, and operates its plants, removing the need for customers to develop or finance nuclear assets.
- **Proven reactor technology**: Uses standard PWR technology (not novel) combined with factory modularization to reduce construction time and cost.
- **Proprietary steel containment**: Patented containment structures improve safety and simplify siting.
- **Behind-the-meter IPP structure**: Power purchase agreements provide stable revenue while customers get reliable, carbon-free baseload power without capital outlay.

## Strategic Focus
- Scaling the deployment of micro modular reactors to meet soaring electricity demand from AI, data centers, and industrial reshoring.
- Expanding factory production capabilities to accelerate time from order to operation.
- Growing its portfolio of power purchase agreements with utilities and large energy consumers.

## Why Work Here
- **Culture**: “Dynamic and passionate team that blends fresh perspectives with seasoned expertise” — described as a fast-growing international team united by a mission to solve one of the hardest problems in energy [lastenergy.com/careers/jobs](https://www.lastenergy.com/careers/jobs)
- **Work policy**: Roles are currently on-site in Austin, TX or Washington, D.C. [jobs.lever.co](https://jobs.lever.co/last-energy)
- **Impact**: Opportunity to work on the “most important challenge of our lifetime” with tangible progress toward global clean energy goals.
- **Engineering culture**: Hands-on work with hardware, nuclear systems, and modular manufacturing; strong patent activity indicates a culture of innovation.

## Sources
1. [lastenergy.com](https://www.lastenergy.com/)
2. [lastenergy.com/about](https://www.lastenergy.com/about)
3. [lastenergy.com/careers/jobs](https://www.lastenergy.com/careers/jobs)
4. [pitchbook.com](https://pitchbook.com/profiles/company/265186-36)
5. [jobs.lever.co](https://jobs.lever.co/last-energy)

## Other roles at Last Energy

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