Staff Embedded Software Engineer

Lightmatter|06 May 2026

fulltimeonsite

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!

We are hiring a talented software engineer to help us build the next generation of photonic AI processors and interconnects. In this role, you will be responsible for developing and extending the device software and firmware stack for Photonic Compute and Photonic interconnect products. You will collaborate with other software teams and hardware systems teams to develop security, telemetry, virtualization, and remote administration functionality.

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.
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.
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.
Industry experience with device driver and kernel side development.
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.

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—$210,000 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.