---
title: 'Senior CNC Machinist at Last Energy'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/senior-cnc-machinist-last-energy-austin-w9dnewzcptke'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-15'
---

# Senior CNC Machinist at Last Energy

- **Company:** Last Energy
- **Location:** Austin, TX
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Work type:** onsite
- **Posted:** 2025-11-12
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-15
- **Apply:** https://jobs.lever.co/last-energy/080c26cd-0e22-425b-a447-d77ae9c63150

## Job description

Last Energy is a pioneering US technology company deploying next-generation modular nuclear power plants. We are seeking a highly skilled and results-driven Senior CNC Machinist to serve as a technical expert within our R&D team. This role requires an experienced builder and doer to operate autonomously, taking ownership of complex part fabrication critical to our fleet-wide product. Your work will directly support high-throughput manufacturing and rapid deployment strategies, demanding speed, ingenuity, and accountability.

## Key Duties & Responsibilities

- Precision Machining Leadership: Lead design and execution on complex component fabrication by independently setting up, programming, operating, and maintaining advanced precision machining equipment, including multi-axis CNC mills and lathes, laser cutters, and high-precision welding equipment
- CNC Programming & Optimization: Drive concept development into reality by developing, editing, and optimizing CNC programs (G-code or CAM software) to maximize efficiency, ensure repeatability, and maintain quality critical for nuclear-grade components
- Quality Assurance & Inspection: Oversee the fabrication process by performing rigorous, high-precision quality control using advanced metrology tools (CMM, gauges) to verify parts meet specified engineering requirements and tight geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) standards
- DFM Collaboration: Collaborate daily with engineers and leadership on the company’s most urgent fabrication priorities, providing technical insights to streamline designs, improve manufacturability, and accelerate deployment timelines
- Tooling & Fixtures: Design, develop, and implement advanced fixtures, tooling, and manufacturing aids to streamline assembly and test operations for maximum scalability
- Shop Management: Operate autonomously by establishing and enforcing best practices for all shop operations, advanced tool management, preventive maintenance, and strict adherence to safety protocols
- Equipment Expertise: Perform advanced troubleshooting and maintenance on all shop equipment, documenting repairs and coordinating external service when necessary to ensure maximum machine uptime
- Other duties as assigned

## Qualifications

- Experience & Education: Minimum 8+ years of hands-on mechanical fabrication and precision machining experience, with at least 3 years at a lead or senior level in a high-growth, high-urgency environment. Formal apprenticeship or Machinist Certification highly preferred
- Technical Expertise: Deep proficiency in CNC programming (G-code and CAM software), advanced shop mathematics, and complex blueprint reading (including GD&T)
- Prototyping Skill: Proven ability to turn concepts into tested prototypes quickly, managing complex fabrication projects from concept to reality with minimal oversight
- Communication: Exceptional communication and collaboration skills, especially when interfacing with engineers and cross-functional teams on urgent technical challenges
- Drive: A bias toward action, creative problem solving, and the drive to own complex fabrication problems end-to-end in a fast-paced environment
- Advanced CAD/CAM proficiency is required
- Experience advising on material science, machinability, and tool selection for specialized alloys is a plus
- Knowledge of specialized welding (TIG/MIG) is a significant asset
- Previous experience as a Machine Shop Supervisor or Lead CNC Machinist is preferred

Last Energy provides decarbonized, reliable, affordable nuclear energy at scale by innovating on the delivery model, not the reactor. By significantly reducing the time and cost of deployment, we are decarbonizing global energy production, increasing access to 24/7 baseload power, and creating a scalable clean energy future for humanity.

## 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)

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