This morning, I stumbled across this:
https://deepnest.io/
I figured that Krankin would be interested at least. It takes a series of DXF or SVG files of 2D shapes and the size of your sheet of stock, and it'll reshuffle the pieces to combine common cut-lines and maximize material usage. I've shut down most of the work on my little 40W laser project, because I don't want anything to freeze over the winter in my unheated garage... so working on the software and workflow seems sensible until spring.