Staff Photonics Design Engineer, Compact Modelling and PDK (Python) at Lightmatter, Boston
Job Description
Lightmatter is hiring a staff photonics design engineer for compact modelling in Boston (the same role is also posted for Mountain View and Toronto). The engineer leads Lightmatter’s internal photonic process design kit: a Python library of parametric cells with behavioural compact models for passive and active devices, workflows that pull parameters from FDTD and FEM solvers, validation against lab data, and continuous-integration tests so that PDK updates do not break designs.
At a glance
- Role: Staff Photonics Design Engineer, Compact Modeling
- Location: Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Posted: 15 January 2026
- Experience: MS + 5 years or PhD + 3 years
- Pay: $179,000 to $219,000 base
- Apply: open until filled (re-checked 13 October 2026)
About the compact modelling role
- Develop and maintain a Python pcell library in sync with layouts, netlists and models
- Create and verify behavioural compact models for passive and active photonic devices
- Automate extraction of parameters from FDTD/FEM solvers into the PDK
- Fit models to lab measurements
- Build regression tests and CI for the PDK and own netlist extraction
Work authorisation
Lightmatter’s posting says candidates must be able to comply with US export control laws.
What Lightmatter is looking for
- An MS with 5+ years or a PhD with 3+ years in electrical engineering, photonics or physics
- Photonic device physics and device simulation
- Behavioural models for circuit simulators such as Lumerical INTERCONNECT or custom Python solvers
- Strong object-oriented Python with NumPy and SciPy
- Python-based layout
Nice to have
- GDSFactory, KLayout or OptoCompiler
- SAX, Photontorch or Simphony
- Git, pytest and CI/CD
- Taping out large photonic circuits
- Inverse design
Pay and location
Lightmatter lists a base salary range of $179,000 to $219,000, plus equity and benefits.
How to apply
Apply through the official Lightmatter job posting. Lightmatter’s posting does not give a closing date, so the role is open until filled; ResearchJobs.in will re-check this listing on 13 October 2026. Check the posting for location and work-authorisation details before you apply.
See all our research engineer jobs, or browse more research jobs on ResearchJobs.in.
Hiring institution: Lightmatter
Official advertisement: boards.greenhouse.io
How to prepare for this application
- Show code: link a Python photonics library or GDSFactory work.
- Model-to-hardware: describe fitting a compact model to measured data.
- Testing: explain how you would regression-test a PDK.
- Older posting: it was first posted in January 2026; check it is still open.
About Lightmatter
Lightmatter builds photonic chips for AI data centres. Its Passage product is a 3D-stacked photonics engine that links thousands of processors with light instead of copper wires.
