Physical Design, Intern (Summer 2027)

About the Role

This team is responsible for defining and implementing the flow and methodology for the digital physical design of Lightmatter’s chips. They interface with multiple teams and utilize industry best practices to develop flows and methodologies that enable the physical design team to design and implement chips, while optimizing power, performance, and area.

Key Responsibilities

• Learn the Lightmatter physical design flow
• Improve the physical design flow through scripting in languages such as Python
• Investigate usage of AI to improve and augment the physical design flow
• Work with members of the physical design team on physical implementations or analysis
• Work with other teams in Lightmatter such as the analog design team or photonics team to collaborate on and improve mixed signal and mixed signal + photonics design methodologies

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Currently enrolled in a Masters or PhD program
• Interest in physical design
• Familiar with TCL or Python scripting
• Knowledge of physical design tools and flows
• Understanding of the concepts of synthesis, place and route, and LVS/DRC
• Understanding of VLSI design fundamentals
• Willingness and curiosity to learn from an exciting team

Preferred Qualifications

• Research, lab, or prior internship experience in physical design involving photonics, semiconductors, or AI hardware
• Publications, projects, or open-source contributions related to physical design or Python programming
• Prior experience or coursework relevant to physical design