Analog/Mixed-Signal IC Design Engineer

Analog/Mixed-Signal IC Design Engineer Company: LightXcelerate Inc. Location: Santa Clara, CA Work Arrangement: Hybrid | Full-time About LightXcelerate LightXcelerate is building next-generation optical interconnects to power AI computing. Our technology combines micro-VCSEL arrays, high-speed analog/mixed-signal ICs, and advanced packaging to deliver high-bandwidth, energy-efficient optical connectivity. We are a fast-moving, highly technical team turning ambitious ideas into real silicon and scalable products. About the Role We are looking for an exceptional Analog/Mixed-Signal IC Design Engineer to develop high-performance circuits for our micro-VCSEL-based optical interconnects. You will own critical circuit blocks from architecture and transistor-level design through tape-out and silicon validation, working closely with our photonics, packaging, and systems teams. What You'll Be Doing

• Design high-speed transmitter and receiver circuits, including VCSEL drivers, TIAs, and receiver amplifiers.
• Develop supporting analog/mixed-signal circuits, including PLLs, CDRs, LDOs, voltage references, and biasing circuits.
• Own circuit development from specifications and schematic design through layout, post-layout verification, and tape-out.
• Optimize bandwidth, power, noise, jitter, signal integrity, and PVT robustness.
• Collaborate across IC design, photonics, packaging, and systems engineering.
• Perform silicon bring-up, characterization, debugging, and measurement-to-simulation correlation.

What We Need to See

• MS in Electrical Engineering with 3+ years of relevant IC design experience, or a PhD in a related field.
• At least one successful tape-out with significant ownership of analog/mixed-signal circuit blocks.
• Hands-on experience designing high-speed drivers, TIAs, receiver amplifiers, or related circuits.
• Strong fundamentals in transistor-level analog design, noise, stability, bandwidth, and device matching.
• Proficiency with Cadence Virtuoso, Spectre, or equivalent EDA tools.
• Experience with analog layout, post-layout simulation, PVT analysis, and silicon validation.
• Ability to independently solve challenging problems and deliver results.

Ways to Stand Out From the Crowd

• Proven experience designing and validating high-speed optical transceiver ICs, especially VCSEL drivers or TIAs.
• Demonstrated achievements in high-bandwidth, low-power, or low-noise circuit design.
• Experience with multi-channel ICs, crosstalk, package parasitics, and signal integrity.
• Strong track record of successful tape-outs and measured silicon performance.
• Ability to bridge device-level design, circuit architecture, and system-level requirements.
• A builder's mindset: ambitious, resourceful, hands-on, and driven to turn ideas into working silicon.

Why Join LightXcelerate?

• Build the future of AI connectivity: Work on optical interconnect technology addressing critical AI infrastructure challenges.
• Own your designs: Take projects from concept to silicon with meaningful technical autonomy.
• Move fast: Join a lean, highly capable engineering team where your contributions directly shape our products.
• Grow with us: Competitive compensation, meaningful equity, and opportunities for technical leadership.

Compensation & Benefits We offer a competitive compensation package consisting of base salary and stock options, providing an opportunity to share in LightXcelerate's long-term success. Base Salary: 120k-170k USD annually.

LightXcelerate is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome talented engineers from all backgrounds who share our passion for innovation and engineering excellence.