Sr/Staff Digital Design Engineer

Lightmatter; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 173,000 - 247,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity grants

Hybrid workplace

Retirement matching

Life Insurance

Generous time off

Paid family leave

Training & development

Job summary

Lightmatter, a leader in AI data center photonics, seeks a Digital Design Engineer to develop RTL modules and integrate DFT for next‑gen ASICs. You’ll debug complex logic, work with Architecture, Verification, Physical Design, Photonics, Analog and Software teams to deliver high‑performance, low‑power digital designs in advanced nodes.

The role requires a strong SystemVerilog background, 5+ years in ASIC design, and experience with top EDA tools. Hybrid work is offered with equity benefits.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical or Computer Engineering (or related fields).
• At least 5 years of experience in ASIC design or a similar high-speed chip design with multiple successful tape outs.
• Proficiency in SystemVerilog or Verilog for digital logic design.
• Proven experience debugging complex logic and mixed-signal simulations using industry-standard EDA tools (e.g., Synopsys VCS, Cadence Xcelium, Questa, or equivalent mixed-signal co-simulation environments).
• Demonstrated track record of delivering high-performance, low-power digital designs in advanced semiconductor process nodes.

Responsibilities

• Develop RTL (i.e. system Verilog) modules with DFT considerations for IC development.
• Debug complex logic and mixed signal simulations.
• Understand and integrate silicon photonic communication and compute technology into digital accelerator design.
• Actively work with Architecture, Design Verification, Physical Design, Photonic, Analog and Software teams to realize high performance, low power designs in advanced technology nodes.
• Create design specifications and documentation to facilitate collaboration with partner teams.
• Generate documentation for modules, including functionality and timing.
• Manage RTL implementation to achieve functionally correct, performant designs within project schedules by identifying, communicating and mitigating risks.

Skills

SystemVerilog

ASIC design

RTL design

DFT considerations

Debugging complex logic

Python scripting

collaboration across teams

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical or Computer Engineering

Master's degree (preferred)

Tools

Synopsys VCS

Cadence Xcelium

Questa

Job description

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 Digital Design Engineer to help develop an ASIC for the next-generation artificial intelligence computing architecture alongside a team of world-class scientists and engineers. If your passion is innovation, solving challenging technical problems, and doing impactful work, you should join our team and help build the world's first optical computers!

Responsibilities

• Develop RTL (i.e. system Verilog) modules with DFT considerations for IC development
• Debug complex logic and mixed signal simulations
• Understand and integrate silicon photonic communication and compute technology into digital accelerator design
• Actively work with Architecture, Design Verification, Physical Design, Photonic, Analog and Software teams to realize high performance, low power designs in advanced technology nodes
• Create design specifications and documentation to facilitate collaboration with partner teams
• Generate documentation for modules, including functionality and timing
• Manage RTL implementation to achieve functionally correct, performant designs within project schedules by identifying, communicating and mitigating risks.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical or Computer Engineering (or related fields)
• At least 5 years of experience in ASIC design or a similar high-speed chip design with multiple successful tape outs
• Proficiency in SystemVerilog or Verilog for digital logic design
• Proven experience debugging complex logic and mixed-signal simulations using industry-standard EDA tools (e.g., Synopsys VCS, Cadence Xcelium, Questa, or equivalent mixed-signal co-simulation environments)
• Demonstrated track record of delivering high-performance, low-power digital designs in advanced semiconductor process nodes

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Electrical or Computer Engineering (or related fields)
• Experience in communication protocols (e.g. PCIe)
• Knowledge of processor design, accelerators, and/or memory hierarchies
• Exposure to silicon photonics (SiPh), optical compute/interconnect architectures, or electro-optic interface integration.
• Strong scripting skills in Python, Perl, Tcl, or Bash to automate simulation and design workflows.
• Experience interfacing digital logic directly with analog mixed-signal (AMS) IP (e.g., SerDes, ADCs/DACs, optical transceivers)

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.

$123,000 - $175,000 USD

• 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
• 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.

Lightmatter follows a hybrid work model

As set forth in Lightmatter’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy,we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.