Sr. Staff Physical Design Timing Engineer (STA)

Lightmatter; Mountain View (CA); Hybrid; USD 220,000 - 270,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive Health Care Plan

Retirement Savings Matching Program

Flexible, hybrid workplace model

Job summary

Lightmatter is hiring a Physical Design Timing Engineer in Mountain View, California. You will help drive backend digital execution for photonics-based interconnect solutions, working alongside world-class engineers. Ideal candidates have extensive experience in ASIC STA, timing constraints development, and are adept with Cadence or Synopsys tools.

The role offers competitive compensation including base salary and equity grants. Lightmatter fosters a collaborative environment, perfect for problem solvers looking to make a significant impact in tech innovation.

Qualifications

• 12 years of Physical Design experience with a minimum of 5 years hands-on experience in ASIC STA.
• Experience in driving timing closure by managing on-chip variation derates.
• Strong team player with clear and precise communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Drive the STA sign-off for flagship Silicon photonics chips.
• Analyze fab guidelines and work with the methodology team.
• Collaborate with architecture, RTL, and DFT teams.

Skills

ASIC STA and timing constraints development

Scripting languages (TCL, Python, PERL, Shell)

Problem solving skills

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering

Tools

Cadence tools

Synopsys tools

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!

About This Role

We are hiring a Physical Design Timing Engineer to help drive backend digital execution for some of the leading photonics based interconnect solutions. You will work alongside a team of world-class scientists and engineers in defining how the system will be optimized and trailblaze problems that are new to the industry. If your passion is innovation, solving challenging technical problems and doing impactful work you should join our team.

In this job you will be responsible for timing constraints development, STA and timing closure on leading edge CMOS technologies and flows. This includes synthesis through place and route, timing closure, and tapeout signoff.

Responsibilities

• Drive the STA sign-off for our flagship Silicon photonics chips at various technology nodes.
• Analyze fab guidelines and work with the methodology team to incorporate sign off corners, margins, and derates into timing analysis flows and methodologies.
• Collaborate with the architecture, RTL, and DFT teams to analyze the timing complexities and develop consolidated timing modes and constraints for synthesis, along with PnR and chip timing sign-off flows.
• Analyze and understand the tradeoffs between power/performance and area goals to drive them into overall chip implementation flows.
• Run full-chip STA and accurately project the timing summary across scenarios.
• Leverage Tempus/PrimeTime to automate timing ECO generation for effective closure and support physical design implementation.
• Document best practices and lessons learned to drive continuous improvements in future projects.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or Computer engineering
• 12 years of Physical Design experience, with a minimum of 5 years hands‑on experience in ASIC STA and timing constraints development, timing closure with Cadence or Synopsys tools
• Experience in driving timing closure by effectively managing on‑chip variation derates, optimizing multi‑mode multi‑corner constraints, and implementing robust clock tree building strategies
• Well versed with scripting languages like TCL and Python, PERL, or Shell
• Strong problem solving skills with attention to every technical aspect
• Be a strong team player with clear and precise communication skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering or Computer engineering
• A minimum of 8 years of hands‑on experience in ASIC STA and timing constraints development, timing closure with Cadence or Synopsys tools

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.: $220,000 USD - $270,000 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 LeaveShort 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.