Embedded Software Engineer, Lasers at Lightmatter in Mountain View, CA

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'll focus on host control software for lasers and own test infrastructure and embedded host controllers that we can lend into other programs for CMIS-based laser control. You'll work alongside experienced engineers across photonics, analog, digital, systems, and networking to build the software foundation that powers laser bring-up, characterization, and qualification across multiple product lines. This is an excellent opportunity to grow your embedded systems expertise while owning infrastructure that has direct, visible leverage across the company.

Responsibilities

• Develop and own host control software for lasers, including bring-up, configuration, and runtime control interfaces.
• Build and maintain test infrastructure and embedded host controllers that can be reused across programs for CMIS-based laser control.
• Collaborate across a multidisciplinary team including Photonic, Analog, Digital, Systems, and Network experts to support laser characterization, qualification, and integration.
• Contribute to the diagnostics and monitoring stack for photonic transceivers.
• Implement and tune portions of active laser control and stabilization algorithms with guidance from senior engineers.
• Develop integrations 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.
• Support bring-up and debug of lasers using optical test and measurement equipment.
• Partner with hardware and test engineering teams to define interfaces and ensure host controllers meet the needs of multiple programs.

Qualifications

• BS and 2+ years of experience, or MS and 1+ years of experience.
• Degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, or a related technical field.
• Experience developing and shipping embedded or host-side control software.
• Working understanding of hardware-software integration.
• Practical knowledge of communication and control in embedded systems, peripherals, and buses (e.g., I2C, SPI, UART).
• Experience developing software or firmware on Linux.
• Proficiency in Python and/or C++.
• Proficiency with Git and familiarity with build systems such as CMake.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience building test infrastructure, hardware-in-the-loop test setups, or instrument automation frameworks.
• Familiarity with CMIS or similar transceiver management interfaces.
• Hands-on experience with debugging tools such as GDB, JTAG, and logic analyzers.
• Exposure to control systems, signal processing, or feedback loop tuning.
• Experience developing firmware or host software for transceivers, optical modules, or similar mixed-signal systems.
• Familiarity with OpenBMC, DMTF, or similar datacenter management environments.
• Exposure to optical communication systems, laser physics, or optical test and measurement.

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.

$140,000—$160,000 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.