Lightmatter

Senior Photonics PDK Design Automation Engineer

Lightmatter · Boston, MA; Mountain View, CA

Posted about 3 months ago

or apply directly on Lightmatter's site. We never take the application ourselves.

Is this posting real?

This role has been open
81 days
Lightmatter's roles stay open a median of 82 days
Reposted
No
Salary listed
No
10% of Lightmatter's roles list one
Ghost-job risk at Lightmatter
high
63 stale, 0 reposted of 63 open
Hiring momentum
85 roles opened in the last 90 days
↑ up vs. the prior 90 days
Last confirmed on the employer's board
2026-10-24

Measured from postings appearing on and disappearing from Lightmatter's own greenhouse board since 2026-08-03. Full hiring picture for Lightmatter.

About this role

As a Senior Photonics Design Automation Engineer at Lightmatter, you will develop and maintain the internal Process Design Kit (PDK) and act as the architect of the component library. Your role will involve creating robust flows for simulation environments, troubleshooting LVS mismatches, and collaborating with various engineering teams to ensure successful tape-outs. You will primarily work with Python and EDA tools to enhance photonic hardware design.

Our read on this posting2.8out of 5
benefits
5/5
freshness
1/5
career value
4/5
role clarity
4/5
pay transparency
0/5

Scored from the posting itself — how clearly the role is described, how much it says about pay and benefits, and how recently it was listed. Not a judgement of Lightmatter as an employer.

What you need

  • Masters or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Photonics, or related field
  • Prior experience in performing physical layout using foundry-provided process design kits (PDKs)
  • Experience with photonics layout
  • Python based layout experience
  • 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

Nice to have

  • 1+ years experience in LVS deck development for Siemens Calibre, Cadence Pegasus, and/or Synopsys IC Validator
  • 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
  • Experience with DRC deck and rule development
  • Experience working on large-scale designs using industry standard environments such as Cadence Virtuoso

What you get

  • 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

Worth weighing

  • No specific mention of remote work options beyond hybrid model
  • Salary range provided is broad and dependent on various factors
  • Requires compliance with U.S. export control laws

Summarised from Lightmatter's posting. Read the full original.

Listed by Lightmatter on their greenhouse job board, last confirmed open on 2026-10-24. PitchMeAI is not the employer.

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