Sr. Staff Hardware/Software Simulation Engineer

JobsCloseBy Editorial Insights

Lightmatter seeks a Sr. Hardware/Software Simulation Engineer to develop cross‑domain tools predicting digital, analog, and photonics performance. You’ll Python and C++ for multi‑domain modeling, build mixed‑signal testbenches, and collaborate with architecture, analog, digital, photonics, and firmware teams to integrate algorithms into the product. Requirements include 12 years with a Bachelor, 8 with a Master, or 5 with a PhD, plus 5+ years in Python or C++, plus a strong foundation in computational physics or electromagnetics, math, and circuit analysis; Git/JIRA experience. Preferred: silicon photonics, SystemVerilog, CI/CD, and proven software leadership. Tips: tailor your resume to show cross‑functional impact and tangible results, highlight how you reduce simulation time and improve accuracy, and demonstrate clear communication for stakeholder alignment. Competitive compensation and equity; onsite in Boston, CA.

---

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 Sr. Hardware/Software Simulation Engineer.  As a Hardware/Software Simulation Engineer, you will develop simulation methodologies that predict the performance of our hardware. This requires a solid understanding of numerical methods, programming skills, complex problem solving and clear communication skills.

In this role, you will focus on the development and maintenance of software tools to simulate hardware. This role is multidisciplinary and you will work with our architecture, analog, digital, photonics, and software teams. The work involves working with computational models from each of these domains and developing a framework for mixed-signal design and co-simulation. 

Join a tight-knit team where each individual’s contributions directly influence the success of the company and product. Work with people who love to build and who thrive in technically diverse environments where great ideas are prioritized.

Responsibilities

• Develop, enhance, and maintain computational simulation models for digital, analog, and photonics components and systems.
• Write and maintain code in Python and C++ to support modeling and simulation across multiple domains.
• Work closely with cross-functional teams to create testbenches for mixed-signal design and co-simulation using computational models. 
• Work closely with the chip firmware team to implement the algorithms in the test benches in the actual hardware product.
• Create and maintain documentation for APIs, user guides, and technical specifications.
• Analyze and optimize simulation performance, including identifying bottlenecks, reducing simulation time, and improving accuracy of large-scale simulations.

Qualifications:

• 12 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree, or 8 years of related experience with a Master's degree or 5 years with a PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Physics, or related disciplines.
• 5+ years of experience in object-oriented programming languages such as Python or C++.
• Experience with computational physics, electromagnetics, mechanics or related discipline.
• Demonstrated ability to solve complex problems, specifically pertaining to problems that do not have obvious solutions and span multiple disciplines.
• Proficiency in mathematics including algebra, calculus, differential equations, system dynamics and numerical analysis. 
• Strong grasp of electronic circuit analysis and design. 
• Experience with signal processing in analog and digital domains. 
• Experience with version control systems, particularly Git, and issue tracking tools like JIRA.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in silicon photonics, photonic devices, photonic integrated circuits, or semiconductor physics. 
• Proven track record in developing robust and maintainable software.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficient in building and maintaining CI/CD software infrastructure pipelines.
• Familiar with hardware description and/or verification languages such as Verilog, VHDL, SystemVerilog, or VerilogA.
• Tech lead experience, including gathering user requirements, planning sprints, and ensuring simulation tools meet the needs of design and verification teams, verifying value delivery to end customers.

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.$216,000—$276,000 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.