Jobs / United States / Lightmatter INC
Analog IC Design Engineer, High-Speed
Lightmatter INC · 🇺🇸 Mountain View, CA
Sponsorship verdict
Sponsorship possible
One solid signal, not two — worth applying, and worth asking about sponsorship early.
- Employer is on a government sponsor recordThe US Department of Labor certified 21 H-1B/E-3 labor condition applications for this employer between Oct 2025 and Jun 2026 (latest May 2026) — the step every H-1B hire needs first. USCIS also records 1 H-1B approvals in FY2023. Source: LCA disclosure data (US Department of Labor (OFLC)).
- The posting doesn’t mention sponsorshipSilence isn’t a refusal — ask the recruiter before investing much time.
- No salary bar for this routeH-1B has no fixed salary bar: the employer must pay at least the prevailing wage for the role and area. Cap-subject employers enter a lottery weighted by wage level. Source: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/12/29/2025-23853/weighted-selection-process-for-registrants-and-petitioners-seeking-to-file-cap-subject-h-1b, rules effective 2026-02-27.
- What Lightmatter INC paid sponsored hires in similar roles2 certified filings for “Staff Physical Design Engineer” (Electrical Engineers) in CA: $140k–$189k, median $164k. Most were filed at wage level I (50%) — 1 lottery entry, ≈15% projected selection odds for cap-subject employers. Source: US Department of Labor LCA disclosure data (Oct 2025 – Jun 2026).
- Confirmed live todayWhen a source last listed this job as open.
US H-1B: cap-subject employers enter a lottery weighted by wage level — Level I gets 1 entry, Level IV gets 4 (DHS projected selection odds ≈15% at Level I to ≈61% at Level IV). Universities and non-profit research employers are cap-exempt. The $100,000 fee for new petitions from abroad is currently blocked by a court order (appeal pending).
A verdict summarises public evidence; it is not legal advice and never a guarantee — the employer and the immigration authority decide. Sign in to factor in where you can already work.
Or apply yourself on the official page →
Sponsor Radar — Lightmatter INC
The US Department of Labor certified 21 H-1B/E-3 labor condition applications for this employer between Oct 2025 and Jun 2026 (latest May 2026) — the step every H-1B hire needs first. USCIS also records 1 H-1B approvals in FY2023. Source: LCA disclosure data (US Department of Labor (OFLC)).
Past sponsorship or register membership never guarantees sponsorship for this vacancy or for you. Full Sponsor Radar for Lightmatter INC →
About the role
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! About this Role Join a cutting-edge team at the forefront of silicon photonics and high-speed transceiver design! As a member of the analog team, you’ll collaborate with our architects and engineers to develop innovative high-speed analog transceiver solutions for next-generation optical and wireline communication systems. * We are currently hiring for multiple levels for this role. Your level and compensation will be determined by your experience, education, and location. Responsibilities • Support micro-architecture development with chip architects by conducting feasibility studies • Collaborate with members of our design engineering teams (system, digital, analog, photonics) to define electrical requirements • Design analog/mixed-signal blocks with a focus on transceivers and broadband circuits interfacing with silicon photonics elements • Document design simulations and verifications towards formal design reviews • Drive block-level floorplan, mask design views, and their reviews • Run post-layout and mixed-signal top-level simulations to validate integration • Define production and bench-level test plans • Validate performance of the circuits in the lab Qualifications • MS with 6+ years of industry experience, OR Ph.D. with 3+ years of industry experience • Experience designing in either GHz-speed RF or GHz-speed broadband analog design • Experience with Tx/Rx equalization techniques and circuits • Familiarity with SERDES architectures and implementations • Solid understanding of CMOS device characteristics, noise, linearity, high-frequency circuit theory and design trade-offs • Experience with Cadence Design Environment • Ability to work collaboratively with people across multiple functional areas Preferred Qualifications • Experience designing Analog-Front-End blocks for transceiver circuits such as trans-impedance amplifiers (TIA) and Tx Driver • Knowledge of 3D Electro-Magnetic (EM) simulation tools is a plus • Experience with testing and validating high-speed analog/mixed-signal circuits • Experience interfacing with silicon photonic modulators (MZM, Ring) is a plus • Successful track record in delivering analog/mixed-signal IPs with 1st-time success while meeting tight schedules #LIF-FM1 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. $165,000 — $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 wor