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!
We are hiring a Sr. Staff hardware/Software Photonic Simulation Engineer. The selected candidate will partner with external facing teams at Lightmatter and the internal engineering team to deliver groundbreaking products to the market. As a Photonic Simulation Software Engineer, you will develop electo-optic simulation methodology that predicts the performance of our hardware. This will require a solid understanding of state-of-the-art simulation software, multiple programming languages, and clear communication skills.
In this role, you will focus on the development and maintenance of simulation tools across digital, analog, and photonics domains. This role involves working with 1) device models from the aforementioned domains; 2) multiple simulators, including Xcelium, Spectre, and scattering parameter simulators; and 3) programming languages such as VerilogA and Python.
You will report directly to the VP, Software Engineering, but you will also work closely with our digital, analog, photonic, and software teams. We are particularly looking for someone with expertise in architecting digital circuits to enable high-speed AMS circuits, with a strong preference for someone with experience in photonic circuits.
Join a tight-knit team where each individual’s contributions directly influence the success of the company and product. You'll have the opportunity to build a new kind of (super)computer from the ground up and to solve groundbreaking challenges along the way. 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, enhance, and maintain a mixed-signal framework built on top of multiple simulators (e.g., Xcelium, Spectre, and scattering parameter simulators)
- Write and maintain code in VerilogA and Python to support modeling and simulation in multiple domains.
- Develop automated testbenches and verification scripts using the cocotb framework (preferred).
- 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.
- Analyze and optimize simulation performance, ensuring tools run efficiently and accurately.
- Implement enhancements to improve simulation speed, accuracy, and resource utilization.
- Create and maintain comprehensive documentation for tool development processes, user guides, and technical specifications.
- 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, or related disciplines.
- Highly proficient in photonics and/or analog modeling in software.
- Skilled user of Cadence Spectre with a strong understanding of VerilogA.
- 2+ years of experience in Matlab, Python, C++ or other scripting/coding language
- Expertise in software verification and testing methodologies, including the development and execution of comprehensive software testing activities
- Demonstrated strong problem solving skills, specifically pertaining to problems that do not have obvious solutions
- Tech lead experience including collecting user requirements, planning work phases (sprints), and verifying value delivery to end customers.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience with cocotb, Keysight ADS, and/or VPI Photonics
- Experience working with digital circuit design tools and the digital design team (RTL and DV)
- Proven track record in developing robust and maintainable software
- Ability and desire to collaborate in a cross-disciplinary team
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
We offer competitive compensation. The base salary range for this role determined based on location, experience, educational background, and market data.
Salary Range
$184,000—$268,000 USD
- 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.
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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