
Graphcore is the Bristol AI semiconductor company behind the Intelligence Processing Unit, acquired by SoftBank in 2024 and now expanding UK headcount toward 750. They're hiring a Director of Characterisation in Bristol to lead silicon characterisation across its accelerator programmes, working hybrid. This ASIC role sits within the UK's semiconductor sector.
Lead the team that proves our AI silicon performs reliably before it reaches customers.
You will build and lead Graphcore's characterisation capability for next generation silicon and system platforms. Your work will help ensure our products perform consistently across real world conditions.
You will define bring up and characterisation strategies, lead technical execution, and shape the lab infrastructure needed for success. You'll work across silicon, hardware, manufacturing, architecture and product teams to solve complex engineering challenges.
This is a hands on leadership role with the opportunity to influence both product design and how Graphcore validates future AI systems.
This is a newly formed team within Manufacturing Operations. You'll have the opportunity to establish how the team works while building strong partnerships across engineering and operations.
Day to day, you'll work closely with architecture, silicon, hardware, production test and product teams. Decisions are driven by data, technical evidence and close collaboration across disciplines.
We value ownership and clear communication. You'll be trusted to lead technical direction, remove blockers and help teams make progress with confidence.
We welcome people from all backgrounds and experiences and are committed to building an inclusive environment where everyone can do their best work.
We're an equal opportunity employer and recognise that everyone brings different strengths and perspectives. If you need any adjustments during the interview process, just let us know. We're happy to support you.
Graphcore is building the compute platform for the next generation of artificial intelligence. From advanced silicon to intelligent software, our technology is designed to unlock breakthroughs in AI and bring its benefits to every industry.
As part of the SoftBank Group, we're backed by one of the world's most ambitious technology investors, working alongside companies shaping the future of AI. Together, we share a bold goal: to help enable artificial superintelligence and ensure it delivers meaningful impact at a global scale.
At Graphcore, you'll work with people who are pushing the boundaries of what's possible. Our teams bring together AI researchers, chip designers, software engineers and systems experts from a wide range of backgrounds. It's an environment where we take on big challenges with curiosity and focus, move quickly and decisively, take real ownership of our work, and speak up to challenge ideas, stepping up to support each other and lead through action.
If you want to lead the team that validates the technology powering the next generation of AI systems, we'd love to hear from you. Apply now to join Graphcore.
Graphcore is a Bristol-based AI semiconductor company founded in 2016 by serial semiconductor entrepreneurs Nigel Toon and Simon Knowles. Toon previously led XMOS and Picochip, while Knowles co-founded Element14 (acquired by Broadcom) and Icera (acquired by NVIDIA for $435M). The company developed Intelligence Processing Units (IPUs), novel AI accelerators designed from the ground up for machine learning workloads, alongside the proprietary Poplar graph programming framework. Graphcore raised $767M in total funding, reaching a $2.77B valuation, with backing from Sequoia Capital, Atomico, Amadeus, Microsoft, and others. In July 2024, SoftBank Group acquired Graphcore for approximately $500M to $600M. The company continues to operate from Bristol with plans to expand its UK headcount to 750.