Demo

Staff Embedded Software Engineer, Lasers

Lightmatter
Mountain View, CA Full Time
POSTED ON 4/30/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 10/26/2026
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!

This unique opportunity focuses on defining the control plane architecture for next-generation photonic interconnect products and implementing active laser control and stabilization algorithms. You will leverage your proven history of shipping embedded systems at scale to deliver products that enable extreme-scale artificial intelligence computing clusters. Your expertise will make a profound and visible impact on the business by directly enabling the next generation of computing technology.

Responsibilities

  • Collaborate across a multidisciplinary team including Photonic, Analog, Digital, Systems and Network experts to define control plane architecture for Lightmatter's photonic interconnect products.
  • Define diagnostics and monitoring architecture for photonic transceivers.
  • Implement active laser control and stabilization algorithms in collaboration with a cross-functional design team.
  • Integrate with DataCenter administration capabilities using environments such as CMIS, OpenBMC and DMTF.
  • Debug and troubleshoot embedded systems using tools such as GDB, JTAG, and logic analyzers.
  • Debug and troubleshoot lasers using optical test and measurement equipment.
  • Participate in customer engagements to gather requirements and usability criteria.

Qualifications

  • BS and 8 years of experience, or MS and 6 years of experience.
  • Degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, or a related technical field.
  • Proven history of shipping embedded software in customer-facing devices at-scale.
  • Strong understanding of hardware-software integration.
  • Practical knowledge of communication and control in embedded systems, peripherals, and buses.
  • Experience with developing commercial/enterprise-level software and firmware on Linux.
  • Experience with Git and CMake for building and managing software projects.
  • Hands-on experience designing, simulating, or deploying control of autonomous systems.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Proficiency with Python or C .
  • Familiarity with debugging tools such as GDB, JTAG, and logic analyzers.
  • Experience developing firmware for photonic transceivers or similar systems.
  • Experience with environments such as CMIS, OpenBMC and DMTF.
  • Experience with optical communication systems and technologies.
  • Knowledge of laser physics and control techniques.
  • Has experience leading small teams and mentoring junior engineers.
  • Familiarity with optical test and measurement and methodologies for characterizing optical components and systems.

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.: $175,000 USD - $224,000 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.

Salary.com Estimation for Staff Embedded Software Engineer, Lasers in Mountain View, CA
$146,982 to $169,204
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