Senior Photonics PDK Design Automation 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. 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.

Qualifications

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).

Preferred Qualifications

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.

Compensation

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

goes beyond base salary, it also inc