Senior CNC Machinist

Last Energy is a nuclear energy company that designs, builds, owns, and operates small modular reactors (SMRs) for industrial and commercial customers. The company's flagship product, the PWR-20, is a 20 MWe pressurized water reactor that is fully modular and factory-produced, enabling faster and more cost-effective deployment than traditional nuclear power plants. Last Energy serves as a behind-the-meter independent power producer, supplying reliable baseload electricity to energy-intensive industries including data centers, metals production, food and beverage, pulp and paper, chemicals, and cement manufacturing. The company's mission centers on making nuclear power radically simpler and more accessible by removing the burden of development, financing, and operations from customers through a power purchase agreement model. This approach aligns nuclear energy deployment with the urgent need for resilient, low-carbon power, particularly as demand from AI infrastructure and industrial growth accelerates. Last Energy's use of proven reactor technology combined with proprietary steel containment systems is designed to streamline licensing and reduce construction timelines. Last Energy represents a new generation of nuclear developers focused on decarbonizing hard-to-abate industrial sectors with firm, emissions-free power. By standardizing and modularizing the entire plant through factory manufacturing, the company aims to bring predictable costs and schedules to a sector historically challenged by both, positioning SMRs as a practical climate solution at commercial scale.

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