Mixed-Signal Validation Engineer

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 Mixed-Signal Validation Engineer to partner with the internal engineering team at Lightmatter to deliver groundbreaking products to market. In this role, you will require a solid understanding of Lightmatter products, mixed-signal digital architecture, process technology, chip design, and clear communication skills.

In this role, you will be validating the architecture of the mixed-signal circuits that enable a groundbreaking photonic-based communication fabric. Your work will enable not only the low-level AMS/photonic devices but also the necessary interfaces with firmware and software. You will also influence product definition and technological roadmaps, as well as suitable design and verification methodologies.

You will report directly to the Head of Product Validation, but you will also work closely with our digital, analog, photonic, and software teams. We are particularly looking for someone with expertise in architecting mixed-signal 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 data center 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

• Own mixed-signal architecture validation for Lightmatter’s Passage product line. Work closely with the rest of the architecture team, chip design team, and the software team.
• Influence the mixed-signal architecture from initial concept through high-volume production.
• Validate and specify system-level mixed-signal designs, integrating complex AMS and photonic circuits. These circuits include high-speed drivers and receivers, SerDes, ADCs/DACs, digital controllers, and photonic modulators and detectors.
• Work closely with test and validation engineers to validate hardware against simulation predictions.
• Collaborate with DV team to translate pre-silicon verification into post-silicon validation
• Support architectural-level firmware validation
• Author, review, and validate architectural specifications and test methodologies.
• Identify improvements and potential pitfalls (including mitigation strategies) regarding the execution of the proposed architectures.

Qualifications

• MS in Electrical Engineering or a related field with 7+ years of relevant experience.
• In-depth knowledge of design flows for AMS electronics, preferably on photonic communication channels.
• Proven track record of delivering successful high-volume silicon to market, and a thorough understanding of the silicon product development flow.
• In-depth knowledge of mixed-signal circuit design in a high-speed analog/photonic link, including device bring-up, control, and digital signal processing.
• Hands-on experience with lab instruments and test setups.
• Demonstrated strong problem-solving skills, specifically for problems that do not have obvious solutions.
• Ability and desire to collaborate in a cross-disciplinary team.

Preferred Qualifications

• Understanding of SerDes PCS layer and equalization, along with forward error-correction schemes.
• Power user of development tools, including AI agents, CAD tools, SPICE simulators, IBIS-AMI simulators, and programming languages (e.g., MATLAB or Python).
• Experience in optical link bring-up and debug.

We offer competitive compensation. The base salary range for this role determined based on location, experience, educational background, and market data.

Salary Range: total compensation goes beyond base salary, it also includes a new hire equity grant, annual performance-based equity, and other rewards that recognize your impact and contribution.

$186,000—$246,000 USD

Benefits

• 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.