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 Photonics PDK Design Automation Engineer to join our team. In this role, you will develop our internal Process Design Kit (PDK). You will act as the architect of our component library, bridging the gap between photonics device design and system-level verification. You will develop robust flow ensuring that our simulation environment accurately predicts the behavior of our physical layouts. You will work heavily in Python, EDA tools, applying software engineering rigor to the challenges of photonic hardware design.
Responsibilities- Develop and maintain a library of pcells using Python-based layout frameworks. Ensure strict synchronization between physical layout, logical netlists, and behavioral models.
- Develop and maintain custom photonic Layout vs Schematic (LVS) decks across multiple foundry technologies
- Design and test device and parameter extraction for innovative photonic devices
- Troubleshoot and resolve LVS mismatches in complex analog and photonic circuits
- Actively collaborate with design, layout, modeling, and infrastructure engineers to deliver high impact tape-outs
- Automated Verification: Implement regression testing and Continuous Integration (CI) pipelines to ensure PDK updates do not break legacy designs or connectivity logic.
- Contribute to other PDK, DRC, and automation projects as needed
- Masters or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Photonics, or related field.
- 3+ years experience in LVS deck development for Siemens Calibre, Cadence Pegasus, and/or Synopsys IC Validator, experience troubleshooting and resolving LVS mismatches in complex circuit designs
- Experience with photonics layout
- Python based layout experience. Comfortable with object-oriented programming and scientific libraries (NumPy, SciPy).
- Experience writing software and scripts in languages such as Python, SVRF, Tcl, Bash, and SKILL
- In-depth knowledge of integrated photonic devices, analog devices, and parasitics
- In-depth knowledge of foundry process (SOI, etching, implants, metal stacks)
- Proficiency with Linux environments, advanced version control (Git), and software engineering best practices
- Demonstrated strong problem solving skills for problems without obvious solutions
- Proficiency with python-based layout tools such as gdstk, GDSFactory, and KLayout
- Experience with Git setup, version control, unit testing (pytest), and CI/CD workflows.
- Prior experience in performing physical layout using foundry-provided process design kits (PDKs), adhering to specific design rules and constraints.
- Experience with DRC deck and rule development
- Experience working on large-scale designs using industry standard environments such as Cadence Virtuoso
- Excellent communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams
- Strong project execution skills, with the ability to handle multiple priorities and meet project milestones
We offer competitive compensation. The base salary range for this role 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
- Masters or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Photonics, or related field
- 3+ years experience in LVS deck development for Siemens Calibre, Cadence Pegasus, and/or Synopsys IC Validator
- Experience troubleshooting and resolving LVS mismatches in complex circuit designs
- Experience with photonics layout
- Python-based layout experience, object-oriented programming, and scientific libraries (NumPy, SciPy)
- Experience writing software and scripts in Python, SVRF, Tcl, Bash, and SKILL
- In-depth knowledge of integrated photonic devices, analog devices, and parasitics
- In-depth knowledge of foundry process (SOI, etching, implants, metal stacks)
- Proficiency with Linux environments, advanced version control (Git), and software engineering best practices
- Demonstrated strong problem solving skills for problems without obvious solutions
- Proficiency with python-based layout tools such as gdstk, GDSFactory, and KLayout
- Experience with Git setup, version control, unit testing (pytest), and CI/CD workflows
- Prior experience performing physical layout using foundry-provided PDKs and adhering to design rules
- Experience with DRC deck and rule development
- Experience working on large-scale designs using Cadence Virtuoso
- Excellent communication and cross-disciplinary collaboration skills
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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