Lightmatter is leading the revolution in AI data center infrastructure, enabling the next giant leaps in human progress. The company invented the world’s first 3D-stacked photonics engine, Passage™, capable of connecting thousands to millions of processors at the speed of light in extreme-scale data centers for the most advanced AI and HPC workloads.
Lightmatter raised $400 million in its Series D round, reaching a valuation of $4.4 billion. We will continue to accelerate the development of data center photonics and grow every department at Lightmatter!
If you're passionate about tackling complex challenges, making an impact, and being an expert in your craft, join our team of brilliant scientists, engineers, and accomplished industry leaders.
Lightmatter is (re)inventing the future of computing with light!
About this Role
We are hiring a Sr. Staff Hardware/Software Simulation Engineer. As a Simulation Engineer, you will develop simulation methodologies that predict the performance of our hardware. This will require a solid understanding of mixed-signal design & simulation, multiple programming languages, and clear communication skills.
In this role, you will focus on the development and maintenance of tools to simulate hardware from digital, analog, and photonics domains. This role involves working with device models from these domains and creating a framework that allows for co-simulation, mixed-signal design and simulation. These mixed-signal simulation environments integrate both RTL (Register Transfer Level) and circuit-level simulations.
You will work closely with our digital, analog, photonic, and software teams. We are particularly looking for someone with expertise in modeling and simulation of digital and analog circuits by using their programming experience in hardware description languages (Verilog, VHDL), verification languages (System Verilog), and object oriented programming languages (Python).
Join a tight-knit team where each individual’s contributions directly influence the success of the company and product. Work with people who love to build and who thrive in technically diverse environments where great ideas are prioritized.
Responsibilities:
- Develop, enhance, and maintain models in digital, analog, and photonics domains.
- Integrate, and maintain a mixed-signal, co-simulation framework built on top of multiple simulators (e.g., Xcelium, Spectre, Python + cocotb).
- Write and maintain code in Python and System Verilog to support modeling and simulation across multiple domains.
- Develop automated testbenches and verification scripts using Python and HDL simulation framework.
- Work closely with cross-functional teams, including design engineers, verification teams, and photonics specialists, to understand tool requirements and deliver effective solutions.
- Provide technical support and troubleshooting for simulation tools, addressing issues promptly to minimize downtime.
- Create and maintain comprehensive documentation for tool development processes, user guides, and technical specifications.
- Analyze and optimize simulation performance, including identifying bottlenecks, reducing simulation time, and improving accuracy of large-scale simulations.
- Implement enhancements to improve simulation speed, accuracy, and resource utilization.
- Conduct training sessions and workshops to educate team members on tool usage and best practices.
- Stay updated with the latest advancements in simulation technologies, programming languages, and industry best practices.
- Propose and implement improvements to existing tools and workflows to enhance productivity and quality.
Qualifications:
- 5 years of related experience with a PhD, or 8 years with a Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Physics, or related disciplines.
- Highly proficient in digital and/or analog modeling in software.
- 2+ years of experience in Python, MATLAB, C++ or other scripting/coding language
- Familiar with hardware description and/or verification languages such as Verilog, VHDL, SystemVerilog, or VerilogA.
- Expertise in verification and testing methodologies, including the development and execution of comprehensive hardware and software testing activities.
- Demonstrated strong problem solving skills, specifically pertaining to problems that do not have obvious solutions.
- Tech lead experience, including gathering user requirements, planning sprints, and ensuring simulation tools meet the needs of design and verification teams, verifying value delivery to end customers.
- Experience with version control systems, particularly Git, and issue tracking tools like JIRA.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience with cocotb or other coroutine-based cosimulation testbench environment for verifying verilog, VHDL, verilogA and/or SystemVerilog using Python.
- Experience with design verification methods for IC and/or SoC design
- Proven track record in developing robust and maintainable software
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
We offer competitive compensation. *We are currently hiring for multiple levels for this role. Your level and compensation will be determined by your experience, education, and location.
- Comprehensive Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
- Retirement Savings Matching Program
- Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)
- Generous Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)
- Paid Family Leave
- Short Term & Long Term Disability
- Training & Development
- Commuter Benefits
- Flexible, hybrid workplace model
- Equity grants
Lightmatter recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, veteran status, and other protected status as required by applicable law.
Export Control
Candidates should have capacity to comply with the federally mandated requirements of U.S. export control laws.
Top Skills
What We Do
Lightmatter is a startup photonics company that has pioneered a new paradigm in processor chip architecture that uses photons instead of electrons. Now the leader in the photonic AI compute “space race,” this new class of high performance semiconductors is the foundation of Lightmatter’s mission to enable the growth of computing, reduce harmful emissions associated with this growth, and democratize computing for all.
Lightmatter's technology accelerates critical operations in deep neural networks, using an array of programmable photonic elements fabricated alongside transistors in conventional computer chip fabrication processes. Our close-knit team of engineers has created an integrated photonics chip and ultra-high performance interconnect that is faster, more efficient, and cooler than anything else on earth (or anything ever experienced before) to power the next giant leaps in human progress.
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