Chip Firmware Validation Engineer
Confirmed on the employer's own hiring board on Oct 24, 2026. First seen by Alion on Aug 5, 2026. Lightmatter scores B on the Alion truth index.
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!
We are hiring a Chip Firmware Validation Engineer to help us build the next generation of photonic AI processors and interconnects.
In this role, you will be responsible for developing and validating the device software and firmware stack for Photonic Compute and Photonic Interconnect products. You will collaborate with other software and hardware systems teams to develop firmware, conduct validation and reliability testing, perform data analysis, and execute further software stack optimization.
Join a tight-knit team where each individual’s contributions directly impact the success of the company and our innovative products. At Lightmatter, you’ll have the opportunity to work with people who love to build and who thrive in technically diverse environments where great ideas are valued and prioritized.
Responsibilities
- Collaborate across a multidisciplinary team including photonics, analog, digital, systems, and network experts to define the control architecture for Lightmatter's photonic interconnect products.
- Drive the software and firmware validation testing for our photonic products.
- Debug and troubleshoot embedded systems using tools such as GDB, JTAG, and logic analyzers.
- Participate in defining product architecture and validation test plans definition to gather requirements and usability criteria.
Qualifications
- BS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field with 5+ years of experience in ASIC firmware validation.
- Strong understanding of hardware-software integration.
- Practical knowledge of communication and control in embedded systems, peripherals, and buses.
- Experience in embedded software development.
- Experience developing commercial or enterprise-level software and firmware on Linux.
- Experience with Git and CMake for building and managing software projects.
- Hands-on experience with data gathering, analysis, and reporting.
- Proficiency with Python, C, C++ and MongoDB.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience with Snowflake reporting software
- Experience with environments such as CMIS and OpenBMC, and familiarity with validation and reliability/FIT(Failure in Time) testing.
- Familiarity with optical test, measurement and methodologies for characterizing optical components and systems.
- Experience developing firmware for photonic transceivers or similar 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.
$185,000—$245,000 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.