---
title: 'Senior Machinist at Thea Energy'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/senior-machinist-thea-energy-kearny-f779yd7bkrk5'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-10-14'
---

# Senior Machinist at Thea Energy

- **Company:** Thea Energy
- **Location:** Kearny, NJ
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Work type:** onsite
- **Posted:** 2026-10-01
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-10-14
- **Apply:** https://jobs.lever.co/thea.energy/4a04a2e2-2729-4fe4-9764-e7606cc19e94

## Job description

About Thea Energy: Thea Energy is leveraging recent breakthroughs in stellarator physics and engineering to create a faster and simpler approach to commercializing fusion energy. The company is reinventing the stellarator using computer-controlled arrays of planar coils thereby replacing the intricate, complex modular magnets required in all other stellarator architectures. Thea Energy is on a mission to create a limitless source of zero emission energy for a sustainable future.

Position Overview: We are seeking an experienced and quality-driven Senior Machinist to program, operate, set up, and maintain our machine shop operations as we pioneer next-generation fusion energy technology. In this hands-on role, you will bridge the gap between rapid R&D prototyping and small-run production, operating both manual equipment and 3-axis CNC machines to fabricate high-precision components. You will be responsible for end-to-end machining execution from reading complex technical drawings and programming toolpaths using High-Efficiency Machining techniques to performing setup, quality inspection, and routine CNC equipment troubleshooting. Working directly alongside engineering and production teams in a fast-paced environment, you will optimize workflows and contribute directly to building zero-emission stellarator architectures.

Key Responsibility Areas:

- Operate and maintain the machine shop including CNC machines, manual machines, and basic metrology equipment to produce high-quality precision components according to engineering specifications.
- Set up CNC machines, including tooling, fixtures, and programming, to ensure efficient and accurate production runs.
- Set up workflows and tooling to enable switching from production to one-of-a-kind parts.
- Read and interpret blueprints, schematics, and technical drawings to understand machining requirements including GD&T.
- Perform routine maintenance and troubleshooting of CNC equipment to ensure optimal performance and minimize downtime. Work with outside vendors when necessary.
- Conduct quality inspections using precision measurement tools to verify part dimensions and tolerances.
- Adhere to safety procedures and regulations to maintain a safe working environment for yourself and others.
- Collaborate with engineering and production teams to optimize manufacturing processes and improve productivity.

Experience & Skillsets:

Required:

- 8+ years of experience operating 3-axis CNC machines in a manufacturing environment.
- Experience in a prototyping setting
- Knowledge of HEM machining and tooling techniques
- Hands-on experience with manual machines such as Lathes and Mills.
- Proficiency in CNC machine setup, programming, and operation, with a strong understanding of machining principles.
- Ability to read and interpret blueprints, technical drawings, and geometric dimensions and tolerances (GD&T).
- Experience with precision measurement tools such as calipers, micrometers, and height gauges.
- Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail to identify and resolve machining issues.
- Excellent communication skills to collaborate effectively with team members and convey technical information.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently and prioritize tasks in a fast-paced production environment.
- Commitment to safety protocols and practices to ensure a safe working environment.

Desired:

- Certification or formal training in machining or related fields.
- Experience with Fusion 360 CAD/CAM software for CNC programming.
- Familiarity with a variety of machining materials, including steel, copper, nickel alloys, plastics, and composites.
- Knowledge of additional machining processes such as milling, turning, drilling, and grinding.
- Willingness to cross-train and learn new technologies and machining techniques.

## #LI-RD1

Company Benefits:

- Base Pay: $32.00 – $52.00+ per hour (Non-Exempt / OT Eligible)
- Comprehensive health benefits (e.g. medical/dental/vision)
- Employee equity stock options
- 20 days PTO

It’s not necessary to meet all of the skillsets outlined above. Please feel free to send us a note and tell us why you would still be a great fit for this role or Thea Energy.

Diversity and Inclusion: Thea Energy is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating a company of diverse backgrounds. By creating a diverse environment, we will bring new ideas and approaches to solving some of the world’s hardest (and most important) problems. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, family or marital status, age, disability, veteran’s status, or other characteristic protected by applicable laws and regulations.

## About Thea Energy

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Thea Energy is developing a simplified, economical stellarator fusion energy system using arrays of mass-manufacturable planar magnets and dynamic software controls.
- **Entity Type**: Private (Startup; founded in 2022)
- **Headquarters**: Kearny, New Jersey, USA
- **Founded**: 2022
- **Founders**: Founded with technology developed at Princeton University (specific founder names not publicly listed on main site).

## Core Business
- **Primary industry**: Fusion Energy / Clean Energy / Climate Tech
- **Target customers**: Utilities, grid operators, industrial energy users, and governments seeking baseload, zero-emission power generation.
- **Mission**: "To create a limitless source of zero emission energy for the future of humanity." [thea.energy](https://thea.energy/)

## Products & Services
- **Eos (Neutron Source Stellarator)**: A near-term commercial neutron source designed to achieve world-leading fusion performance and de-risk their first fusion power plant. [thea.energy](https://thea.energy/)
- **Helios (Fusion Power Plant)**: The company’s first planned full-scale fusion power plant, intended for commercial electricity generation. [thea.energy](https://thea.energy/)
- **Software-Defined Magnetics Platform**: The core technology differentiator—replacing complex, expensive 3D magnet coils with arrays of simpler, mass-manufacturable planar magnets controlled by a sophisticated software stack. This transfers hardware complexity into the digital realm. [thea.energy](https://thea.energy/)

## Market Standing
- **Valuation / Total Funding**: Not publicly disclosed.
- **Key Metric**: Private startup; notable for its technological breakthrough rather than public revenue. The company has active job postings (41 roles listed on Indeed) and is in a high-growth hiring phase. [indeed.com](https://www.indeed.com/cmp/Thea-Energy/about)
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Announced a collaboration with **NVIDIA**, **Synopsys Inc**, **Argonne National Laboratory**, and **Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL)** to build the first digital twin of a stellarator fusion power plant using AI physics and engineering. [indeed.com](https://www.indeed.com/cmp/Thea-Energy/about)
- **Growth Signals**: Rapidly growing team; active hiring across engineering, supply chain, finance, and marketing roles; partnership with major tech and national lab players; progression from a science project (Eos) toward a commercial power plant (Helios).

## Competitive Advantages
- **Planar Magnet Arrays**: Replaces the prohibitively complex and expensive 3D coils of traditional stellarators with simple, mass-manufacturable planar magnets. This radically reduces cost and manufacturing complexity. [thea.energy](https://thea.energy/)
- **Software-First Approach**: Transfers the geometric complexity from hardware to a dynamic software control system, leveraging decades of progress in computing and controls to simplify the physical build. [thea.energy](https://thea.energy/)
- **Stellarator Advantage**: The stellarator is the only magnetic confinement system that creates all required fields with superconducting coils, enabling steady-state operation (no plasma disruptions), which is a key advantage over tokamaks. [thea.energy](https://thea.energy/)

## Strategic Focus
- **Commercialization of Eos**: Achieving near-term fusion performance and commercial operation with their neutron source stellarator.
- **De-risking Helios**: Using Eos as a stepping stone to validate technology and reduce risk for their first full-scale fusion power plant.
- **Digital Twin Development**: Leveraging AI and simulation (with NVIDIA, Synopsys, Argonne, PPPL) to accelerate design, operation, and optimization of their fusion systems.
- **Scaling the Organization**: Building out a multi-disciplinary team spanning fusion science, engineering, supply chain, and business functions.

## Why Work Here
- **Mission-Driven Work**: Opportunity to work on one of the biggest challenges facing humanity—creating limitless, zero-emission energy. [thea.energy](https://thea.energy/careers/)
- **Culture**: Described as dynamic, flexible, and adaptive, balancing strong individual autonomy with a collective team spirit. Employees are empowered to take ownership of their career growth. [thea.energy](https://thea.energy/careers/)
- **Diversity & Inclusion**: Explicitly committed to building a diverse workplace and encourages applications even if candidates don't meet every listed requirement. [thea.energy](https://thea.energy/careers/)
- **Work Model**: Roles are listed as **On-site** in Kearny, NJ (for most technical and corporate roles) and some internships. [jobs.lever.co/thea.energy](https://jobs.lever.co/thea.energy)
- **Benefits**: Competitive salaries, health benefits (medical/dental/vision), employee equity, 20 days PTO, paid holidays and sick time, paid parental leave, 401k, life and disability insurance, and office perks. [thea.energy](https://thea.energy/careers/)

## Sources
1. [thea.energy](https://thea.energy/)
2. [thea.energy/about-us](https://thea.energy/about-us/)
3. [thea.energy/careers](https://thea.energy/careers/)
4. [jobs.lever.co/thea.energy](https://jobs.lever.co/thea.energy)
5. [indeed.com](https://www.indeed.com/cmp/Thea-Energy/about)

## Other roles at Thea Energy

- [FEA Engineer III](https://feeny.ai/job/fea-engineer-iii-thea-energy-kearny-bmctb2x060zd) — Kearny, NJ
- [Senior FEA Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-fea-engineer-thea-energy-kearny-xcmsm1bk4pw5) — Kearny, NJ
- [Mechanical Engineer III](https://feeny.ai/job/mechanical-engineer-iii-thea-energy-kearny-paan6y8jt8vg) — Kearny, NJ
- [Senior Tooling Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-tooling-engineer-thea-energy-kearny-qjg46020hba3) — Kearny, NJ
- [Senior Mechanical Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-mechanical-engineer-thea-energy-kearny-eew4ecp169fb) — Kearny, NJ
- [Director - Commercial Development](https://feeny.ai/job/director-commercial-development-thea-energy-kearny-prhd7yaxgbhz) — Kearny, NJ
- [Office Manager](https://feeny.ai/job/office-manager-thea-energy-kearny-2p7hmrqgy3vs) — Kearny, NJ
- [Manufacturing Engineer III](https://feeny.ai/job/manufacturing-engineer-iii-thea-energy-kearny-0me7sfh4k2y0) — Kearny, NJ
- [Senior Manufacturing Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-manufacturing-engineer-thea-energy-kearny-ehqt3p3hffke) — Kearny, NJ
- [Principal HTS Magnet Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/principal-hts-magnet-engineer-thea-energy-kearny-ev47n4kqr6s4) — Kearny, NJ