Sr. Staff Physical Design Timing Engineer (STA)
- Pay
- $220,000 – $270,000 per year
- Location
- Mountain View, CA · Hybrid
- Job type
- Full-time
- Level
- Director
- Experience
- 12+ years
- Education
- Bachelor's degree
- Listed
- 30 days ago
Skills & highlights for this role
- static timing analysis
- timing constraints development
- timing closure
- Cadence
- Synopsys
- Tcl
Also useful
- Tempus
- PrimeTime
- Python
- Perl
Stated benefits & perks
- Health
- Dental
- Vision
- Equity
About this role
We are hiring a Physical Design Timing Engineer to help drive backend digital execution for some of the leading photonics based interconnect solutions. You will work alongside a team of world-class scientists and engineers in defining how the system will be optimized and trailblaze problems that are new to the industry. If your passion is innovation, solving challenging technical problems and doing impactful work you should join our team.
In this job you will be responsible for timing constraints development, STA and timing closure on leading edge CMOS technologies and flows. This includes synthesis through place and route, timing closure, and tapeout signoff.
Responsibilities
- Drive the STA sign-off for our flagship Silicon photonics chips at various technology nodes.
- Analyze fab guidelines and work with the methodology team to incorporate sign off corners, margins, and derates into timing analysis flows and methodologies.
- Collaborate with the architecture, RTL, and DFT teams to analyze the timing complexities and develop consolidated timing modes and constraints for synthesis, along with PnR and chip timing sign-off flows.
- Analyze and understand the tradeoffs between power/performance and area goals to drive them into overall chip implementation flows.
- Run full-chip STA and accurately project the timing summary across scenarios.
- Leverage Tempus/PrimeTime to automate timing ECO generation for effective closure and support physical design implementation.
- Document best practices and lessons learned to drive continuous improvements in future projects.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or Computer engineering
- 12 years of Physical Design experience, with a minimum of 5 years hands-on experience in ASIC STA and timing constraints development, timing closure with Cadence or Synopsys tools
- Experience in driving timing closure by effectively managing on-chip variation derates, optimizing multi-mode multi-corner constraints, and implementing robust clock tree building strategies
- Well versed with scripting languages like TCL and Python, PERL, or Shell
- Strong problem solving skills with attention to every technical aspect
- Be a strong team player with clear and precise communication skills
Preferred Qualifications
- Master's degree in Electrical Engineering or Computer engineering
- A minimum of 8 years of hands-on experience in ASIC STA and timing constraints development, timing closure with Cadence or Synopsys tools
Pay and benefits
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.
$220,000—$270,000 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)
Export Control
Candidates should have capacity to comply with the federally mandated requirements of U.S. export control laws.
About Lightmatter
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!
Equal opportunity and legal notices
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.
From Lightmatter's careers page, first listed on Rolev.ai on October 10, 2026. Rolev.ai is not the employer.
How Rolev.ai helps with this application
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Common questions
What is the salary for the Sr. Staff Physical Design Timing Engineer (STA) role at Lightmatter?
The Sr. Staff Physical Design Timing Engineer (STA) posting at Lightmatter states compensation of $220,000 – $270,000 per year. It is listed as a full-time position. Final pay may depend on location, experience, and interview evaluation on Lightmatter's official career site.
Where is the Sr. Staff Physical Design Timing Engineer (STA) job at Lightmatter located?
This Sr. Staff Physical Design Timing Engineer (STA) position at Lightmatter is located in Mountain View, CA (Hybrid). Always check Lightmatter's application page for specific state eligibility or relocation policies.
What qualifications are required for Sr. Staff Physical Design Timing Engineer (STA) at Lightmatter?
For the Sr. Staff Physical Design Timing Engineer (STA) role, Lightmatter highlights 12+ years of relevant experience; a bachelor's degree; experience with static timing analysis, timing constraints development, timing closure, Cadence, Synopsys, Tcl. Rolev.ai can score your existing resume against these requirements and show any skill gaps before you apply.
How do I apply for the Sr. Staff Physical Design Timing Engineer (STA) position at Lightmatter?
This listing links directly to Lightmatter's Greenhouse application page. You can apply directly on Lightmatter's site, or use Rolev.ai to check your resume fit, generate a zero-hallucination tailored resume and cover letter for this posting, and autofill the Greenhouse application form in 1 click with the Rolev.ai Chrome extension. You always review the form and press Submit yourself.