Senior Photonics PDK Design Automation Engineer

Job Title

Senior Photonics PDK Design Automation Engineer

Role Summary

Develop and maintain Lightmatter's internal photonics Process Design Kit (PDK) and associated automation. Act as the architect of the component library, ensuring synchronization between physical layout, logical netlists, and behavioral models, and validating that simulation predicts physical layout behavior for production tape-outs.

Experience Level

Senior-level. The posting references specific experience requirements such as 3+ years of LVS deck development experience; an advanced degree is expected (see Education Requirements).

Responsibilities

Work across design, layout, modeling, and infrastructure teams to deliver production-ready PDKs and verification flows.

• Develop and maintain parameterized cells (pcells) using Python-based layout frameworks; ensure synchronization of layout, netlists, and models.
• Create and maintain custom photonic LVS decks across multiple foundry technologies.
• Design and test device and parameter extraction for photonic devices and handle parasitics.
• Troubleshoot and resolve LVS mismatches in complex analog and photonic circuits.
• Implement regression testing and CI pipelines to prevent PDK changes from breaking existing designs.
• Contribute to PDK, DRC, and other automation projects; support high-impact tape-outs.

Requirements

Core technical skills and practical experience required for day-to-day work.

Must-have:

• 3+ years experience developing LVS decks for tools such as Siemens Calibre, Cadence Pegasus, and/or Synopsys IC Validator; experience troubleshooting LVS mismatches in complex circuits.
• Experience with photonics layout and integrated photonic device behavior, analog devices, and parasitics.
• Python-based layout experience and strong Python software skills (object-oriented programming, NumPy/SciPy).
• Experience writing automation in SVRF, Tcl, Bash, and SKILL.
• Deep knowledge of foundry processes (e.g., SOI, etching, implants, metal stacks) and working with foundry PDK constraints.
• Proficiency in Linux, advanced version control (Git), and software engineering best practices; experience with unit testing and CI.
• Strong problem-solving skills for ambiguous technical problems.
• Ability to comply with U.S. export control laws and related requirements.

Nice-to-have / Preferred:

• Familiarity with python-based layout tools such as gdstk, GDSFactory, and KLayout.
• Experience developing DRC decks and rule development.
• Experience with Cadence Virtuoso and large-scale design environments.
• Experience setting up Git workflows, pytest-based unit tests, and CI/CD pipelines for EDA flows.
• Strong cross-disciplinary communication and project execution skills.

Education Requirements

Master's or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Photonics, or a related technical field is expected.

About the Company

Company: Lightmatter

Headquarters: Boston, Massachusetts, USA

Lightmatter develops photonic AI data-center infrastructure and optical chips for extreme-scale AI and HPC. The company invented the Passage 3D‑stacked photonics engine to provide high-bandwidth, low-latency interconnects across large-scale processors and raised $400M in Series D financing at a reported $4.4B valuation.