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!
Lightmatter is seeking a Principal of Machine Learning Infrastructure Researcher to join our Machine Learning team. This team is focused on inventing novel hardware systems using Lightmatter technology and modeling the performance of Lightmatter-enabled systems on both training and inference workloads.
This is primarily a creative role where you need to think outside the box to push the boundaries of systems research with the power of silicon photonics at your fingertips. This role will work closely with our product, solutions architecture, and engineering teams to generate impactful performance analysis, create high-performance rack-scale designs, and publish cutting-edge ML systems research.
Responsibilities:
- Stay up to date on the latest advancements in Machine Learning research.
- Build tools to model the performance of Passage-enabled systems when running both training and inference workloads for the latest AI models.
- Collaborate with our product and solutions architecture teams to design compelling reference platforms for our customers, powered by Lightmatter technology.
- Function as the Machine Learning expert in the room.
- Publish academic papers at top industry conferences and journals. Help support the publication of whitepapers, blog posts, and other marketing collateral.
- Lead a small team of Machine Learning engineers
Qualifications:
- PhD in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related field and at least 10 years of industry or research experience in the field.
- Solid background in Machine Learning systems research and experience with performance evaluation and performance modeling.
- Hands-on experience with machine learning / deep learning methods and extensive knowledge of Large Language Model training and inference frameworks.
- Academic publications in relevant journals and industry conferences.
- Strong knowledge of AI systems, including compute (GPUs, TPUs, etc.) and networking (Ethernet, Infiniband, NVLink, etc.) technologies, and their various topologies, paradigms, and trade-offs.
- Proven track record leading a team to deliver published results.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Demonstrated ability to creatively problem-solve and apply first-principles thinking to generate novel ideas, particularly in ambiguous, evolving environments.
- Exceptional skills in communicating complex research outcomes and technical concepts to partners and internal stakeholders, while embodying our value of speaking truth.
- Ability to work across research, product, and business functions, rolling up your sleeves to bridge gaps and accelerate outcomes, while demonstrating the core value of "We are one Lightmatter."
- Adaptable and versatile, thriving in a high-speed, high-precision environment.
- Experience in managing engineers and leading projects, with the ability to lift up the team, and work with high standards and high collaboration.
We offer competitive compensation. On target earnings range is listed below. The final compensation will be determined based on location, experience, educational background, and market data.
- 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 (applicable to full-time employees)
Benefits eligibility may vary depending on your employment status and location. 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.
Skills Required
- PhD in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related field
- At least 10 years of industry or research experience in the field
- Solid background in Machine Learning systems research
- Experience with performance evaluation and performance modeling
- Hands-on experience with machine learning/deep learning methods
- Extensive knowledge of Large Language Model training and inference frameworks
- Academic publications in relevant journals and industry conferences
- Strong knowledge of AI systems and their technologies
- Proven track record leading a team to deliver published results
Lightmatter Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Lightmatter and has not been reviewed or approved by Lightmatter.
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Fair & Transparent Compensation — Pay is considered competitive for specialized photonics and AI‑hardware roles, with posted ranges and third‑party totals aligning to strong market levels. Compensation for niche roles is framed as consistent with top‑tier hardware/photonics expectations.
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Healthcare Strength — Healthcare is described as comprehensive, covering medical, dental, and vision in current postings. Additional protections like life insurance and disability are also called out.
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Equity Value & Accessibility — Equity grants for full‑time employees are commonly included alongside base pay. Some postings also mention performance‑based equity components.
Lightmatter Insights
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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