Reliability Engineer (Hardware)

Lightmatter; Mountain View (WY); Hybrid; USD 142,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health care plan

Retirement matching

Life insurance

Generous time off

Paid family leave

Disability insurance

Training & development

Commuter benefits

Hybrid workplace model

Equity grants

Job summary

Lightmatter is seeking a Senior Reliability Engineer to design, execute, and analyze reliability tests for its photonics-based AI platform and chiplet communication fabric. You will develop robust test plans, perform failure analysis, and drive improvements across design and manufacturing processes.

The role requires a bachelor’s degree in Electrical/Computer Engineering and 5+ years in reliability engineering within semiconductor or photonics.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical or Computer Engineering or a related field.
• 5+ years as a Reliability Engineer in semiconductor or photonics.
• Strong knowledge of reliability testing methods (HTOL, HAST, TDDB, HTHH, TC).
• Hands-on failure analysis using SEM/TEM/FIB/EMMI and related tools.
• Familiarity with device physics, reliability, and failure mechanisms in Serdes/digital ICs.

Responsibilities

• Design, execute, and analyze reliability tests to verify product performance and durability.
• Develop reliability test plans and qualification testing for photonics-based AI platforms.
• Perform FMEA to identify and mitigate reliability risks in design and manufacturing.
• Root cause analysis of device failures and cross-functional issue resolution.
• Establish internal reliability guidelines and standards to meet customer requirements.
• Use statistical methods to model reliability and predict lifetimes in field conditions.
• Prepare technical reports on test plans, results, and risk assessments for stakeholders.

Skills

Reliability Engineering

HTOL

HAST

TDDB

HTHH

TC

SEM

TEM

FIB

EMMI

Weibull analysis

Minitab

JMP

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering

Tools

SEM

TEM

FIB

EMMI

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!

In this role you will be responsible for designing, executing, and analyzing reliability tests to verify product performance, durability, and compliance with standards. You will enable our products to meet or exceed reliability requirements throughout their lifecycle by developing robust test protocols, analyzing failures, and working with cross-functional teams to drive improvements in design and manufacturing processes.

Responsibilities

• Develop reliability test plans based on product requirements, industry standards, and customer expectations.
• Execute reliability qualification testing for our highly integrated photonics-based AI platform and our photonics chiplet communication fabric products.
• Conduct Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA) to identify and mitigate potential reliability risks in device design and manufacturing.
• Perform detailed root cause analysis of device failures, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to resolve reliability issues, refine product designs, and improve process robustness.
• Establish internal reliability guidelines and standards to meet customer requirements and industry benchmarks.
• Utilize statistical analysis tools to model reliability performance and predict device lifetimes under field conditions.
• Prepare and present detailed technical reports, including reliability test plans, results, and risk assessments, to internal and external stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering or a similar field
• 5+ years of industry experience working as aReliability Engineer within the semiconductor and/or photonics industry.
• Understanding of device and package reliability testing methodologies, including HTOL, HAST, TDDB, HTHH, TC etc.
• Hands-on experience with failure analysis tools and techniques such as SEM, TEM, FIB, and EMMI etc.
• Knowledge of device physics, reliability and failure mechanism in Serdes/digital/mixed signal IC’s.
• Good understanding of packaging failure mechanisms and risks on TSV, solder joints, warpage, metal migrations etc.
• Familiarity with reliability modeling tools and statistical analysis (e.g., Weibull analysis, Minitab, JMP).

Preferred Qualification:

• Preferably experienced in semiconductor or photonics device/module testing.
• Experience with advanced packaging technologies such as flip-chip, wafer-level packaging, or 3D integration.
• Good statistical data analysis skills to analyze pre vs post reliability data.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to convey complex reliability concepts to diverse audiences.
• PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering or a similar field , working as a Reliability Engineer for at least 1 year

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.

$142,000—$200,000 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.