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 Digital Design Engineer to help develop an ASIC for the next-generation artificial intelligence computing architecture alongside a team of world-class scientists and engineers. If your passion is innovation, solving challenging technical problems, and doing impactful work, you should join our team and help build the world's first optical computers!
Responsibilities
- Develop RTL (i.e. system Verilog) modules with DFT considerations for IC development
- Debug complex logic and mixed signal simulations
- Understand and integrate silicon photonic communication and compute technology into digital accelerator design
- Actively work with Architecture, Design Verification, Physical Design, Photonic, Analog and Software teams to realize high performance, low power designs in advanced technology nodes
- Create design specifications and documentation to facilitate collaboration with partner teams
- Generate documentation for modules, including functionality and timing
- Manage RTL implementation to achieve functionally correct, performant designs within project schedules by identifying, communicating and mitigating risks.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Electrical or Computer Engineering (or related fields)
- At least 5 years of experience in ASIC design or a similar high-speed chip design with multiple successful tape outs
- Proficiency in SystemVerilog or Verilog for digital logic design
- Proven experience debugging complex logic and mixed-signal simulations using industry-standard EDA tools (e.g., Synopsys VCS, Cadence Xcelium, Questa, or equivalent mixed-signal co-simulation environments)
- Demonstrated track record of delivering high-performance, low-power digital designs in advanced semiconductor process nodes
Preferred Qualifications
- Master's degree in Electrical or Computer Engineering (or related fields)
- Experience in communication protocols (e.g. PCIe)
- Knowledge of processor design, accelerators, and/or memory hierarchies
- Exposure to silicon photonics (SiPh), optical compute/interconnect architectures, or electro-optic interface integration.
- Strong scripting skills in Python, Perl, Tcl, or Bash to automate simulation and design workflows.
- Experience interfacing digital logic directly with analog mixed-signal (AMS) IP (e.g., SerDes, ADCs/DACs, optical transceivers)
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
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field
- At least 5 years of ASIC design or similar high-speed chip design experience
- Multiple successful ASIC tape-outs
- Proficiency in SystemVerilog or Verilog for digital logic design
- Experience debugging complex logic and mixed-signal simulations using industry-standard EDA tools
- Track record delivering high-performance, low-power digital designs in advanced semiconductor process nodes
- Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field
- Experience with communication protocols such as PCIe
- Knowledge of processor design, accelerators, or memory hierarchies
- Exposure to silicon photonics, optical compute or interconnect architectures, or electro-optic interface integration
- Scripting skills in Python, Perl, Tcl, or Bash
- Experience interfacing digital logic with analog mixed-signal IP such as SerDes, ADCs, DACs, or optical transceivers
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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