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Hardware Validation & Debug Engineer

Graphcore·Bristol·Hybrid·Posted 2 days ago

Graphcore is a Bristol-based AI semiconductor company building Intelligence Processing Units for machine learning workloads, now part of SoftBank. They're hiring a Hardware Validation & Debug Engineer in Bristol (hybrid). This hardware engineering role sits within the UK's AI semiconductor sector.

About the job

Build the systems that prove the next generation of AI hardware works at scale.

You will validate and debug Graphcore’s silicon platforms before they power advanced AI workloads worldwide. Your work will directly influence product quality, performance, and reliability across our hardware stack.

You will lead hands-on system validation in the lab, working closely with architecture, silicon, hardware, and firmware teams. You will debug complex PCIe, Ethernet, and SerDes issues, drive root-cause analysis, and bring new platforms to life.

This role offers deep technical ownership and exposure to some of the industry’s most demanding hardware challenges. You will help shape the future of AI computing from the lab bench upward.

The team and culture

You will join a team that moves quickly, solves hard problems, and values technical depth. Engineers are trusted to investigate issues, challenge assumptions, and drive decisions forward.

Work is highly hands-on and collaborative across hardware, firmware, and silicon teams. Problems are tackled directly in the lab using real systems and real data.

We value people who take ownership and enjoy figuring things out. The best ideas win, regardless of job title or background.

What we’re looking for

  • Strong experience validating and debugging complex hardware systems
  • Hands-on expertise with PCIe Root Complex bring-up, debug, and protocol analysis
  • Experience debugging Ethernet SerDes systems and high-speed interfaces
  • Confident using oscilloscopes, BERT systems, VNA/TDR equipment, and protocol analysers
  • Strong root-cause analysis skills across signal integrity and subsystem issues
  • Ability to work independently and drive technical issues across multiple teams

Benefits

· Unlimited annual leave
· Up to 5% matched pension
· Phantom equity – share in Graphcore’s success
· True flexibility in how and where you work
· Office spaces designed for collaboration
· Free food and an on-site barista
· Health cash plan
· Income protection
· Life assurance
· Along with other benefits you can choose from (private medical insurance, dental plan etc)

Inclusion statement

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.

Join the Team at Graphcore

Graphcore is one of the world’s leading innovators in Artificial Intelligence compute. It is developing hardware, software and systems infrastructure that will unlock the next generation of AI breakthroughs and power the widespread adoption of AI solutions across every industry.

As part of the SoftBank Group, Graphcore is a member of an elite family of companies responsible for some of the world’s most transformative technologies. Together, they share a bold vision: to enable Artificial Super Intelligence and ensure its benefits are accessible to everyone.

Graphcore’s teams are drawn from diverse backgrounds and bring a broad range of skills and perspectives. A melting pot of AI research specialists, silicon designers, software engineers and systems architects, Graphcore brings together deep expertise to solve complex problems and deliver meaningful progress in AI compute.

If you want to solve complex hardware challenges at the centre of AI innovation, we’d love to hear from you. Apply now and help bring the future of AI computing closer.

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About 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.

Stage: AcquiredBristol
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