Graphcore
Director-Post Silicon Validation (Functional)
Graphcore is a globally recognised leader in Artificial Intelligence computing systems. The company designs advanced semiconductors and data centre hardware that provide the specialised processing power needed to drive AI innovation, while delivering the efficiency required to support its broader adoption.
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. We are opening a new AI Engineering Campus in Austin, Texas which will play a central role in Graphcore's work building the future of AI computing.
We are developing the next generation of AI compute, a large-scale system-on-chip (SoC) designed to power future high-performance AI systems.
Job Summary
We have an exciting opportunity to be part of a collaborative, cross-functional development team validating cutting-edge, high-performance AI chips and platforms.
You will play a key role in supporting new product introductions and validation. You will lead a team delivering post-silicon validation across the full AI SoC, working across silicon, firmware, and platform levels. The role requires a deep technical understanding, strong hands-on debug experience, and the ability to collaborate effectively with hardware, software, and systems engineering teams.
Working within the Validation team, you will be involved with bringing first silicon to life, functionally validating it and working closely with many other teams to help it become a fully characterised and working product, reporting project status/progress to program management on a regular basis. You will have the opportunity to provide technical guidance to other engineering team members. In this role, you can leverage our experience and industry knowledge to architect and drive implementation of continuous improvements to test infrastructure and processes.
The Team
The Post-Silicon Bringup team sits within the Architecture and Validation team, we are responsible for bringup and validation of new silicon when it returns from manufacture, enabling and supporting the production SW and FW teams to bring up their software and supporting the Silicon Characterisation team.
Responsibilities and Duties:
Minimum Qualifications:
Preferred Qualifications:
- PCIe
- Ethernet
- Memory technologies (LPDDR, DDR, HBM, …)
- Other peripherals such as I2C, I3C, SPI, …
Why Join Us
This is an opportunity to play a central role in developing an advanced AI compute platform that pushes the boundaries of performance and efficiency. You will be part of a highly skilled and motivated team, working on technology that will have a significant impact across future AI systems.
USA Benefits
In addition to a competitive salary, Graphcore offers flexible working and a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your health, wellbeing and financial future. Our benefits include medical, dental and vision coverage, Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), disability and life insurance, a 401(k) retirement plan, commuter benefits, wellness services and an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP). We welcome people of different backgrounds and experiences; we're committed to building an inclusive work environment that makes Graphcore a great home for everyone. We offer an equal opportunity process and understand that there are visible and invisible differences in all of us. We can provide a flexible approach to interview and encourage you to chat to us if you require any reasonable adjustments.
Skills Required
- Understanding of ML applications and their workloads
- Self-starter able to apply independent judgement
- Team player able to lead and support colleagues with difficult concepts
- Strong experience in bare-metal / embedded C/C++
- Excellent problem-solving, analytical & diagnostic skills
- Ability to work across teams and programming languages to find root causes of critical and complex issues
- Experience of the post-silicon validation process applied in digital ASIC environments
- Python
- Linux
- Excellent communication skills and ability to explain difficult concepts
- 10+ years experience
- Experience building and leading multi-site teams
- Driver-level experience with PCIe, Ethernet, memory technologies (LPDDR, DDR, HBM) and peripherals (I2C, I3C, SPI)
- Knowledge of mixed-signal building blocks such as PLLs, high-speed PHYs and IC control/communication protocols
- Experience with Arm CPUs, System IP and debug tools
- Experience with AMBA protocols
- Experience in Characterization, Failure Analysis, Test Development, and Statistical analysis in addition to functional validation
What the Team is Saying
Graphcore Compensation & Benefits Highlights
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Healthcare Strength — Healthcare is presented with day-one U.S. medical coverage, plus dental/vision, mental health support, and concierge services. Wellbeing extras such as an EAP and pet insurance broaden the health-focused package.
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Retirement Support — Retirement programs include a company-matched 401(k) in the U.S. and matched pensions in the U.K. Employer-provided life insurance and disability/income protection further reinforce long-term financial security.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Time off is framed as flexible or unlimited in multiple locations, with paid holidays and generous parental leave highlighted. Flexible hours are emphasized to accommodate personal needs alongside a hybrid model.
Graphcore Insights
What We Do
At Graphcore, we’re building the future of AI compute. We’re a team of semiconductor, software and AI experts, with deep experience in creating the complete AI compute stack - from silicon and software to infrastructure at datacenter scale. As part of the SoftBank Group, backed by significant long-term investment, we are delivering key technology into the fast-growing SoftBank AI ecosystem. To meet the vast and exciting AI opportunity, Graphcore is expanding its teams around the world. We are bringing together the brightest minds to solve the toughest problems, in a place where everyone has the opportunity to make an impact on the company, our products and the future of artificial intelligence.
Why Work With Us
Our team is at the forefront of the machine intelligence revolution, enabling innovators from all industries to build AI-native products to expand human potential. What we do at Graphcore really makes a difference.
Gallery
Graphcore Offices
Hybrid Workspace
Employees engage in a combination of remote and on-site work.
At Graphcore, we value wellbeing and flexibility to support a healthy work/life balance. Our hybrid approach encourages office-based colleagues to work onsite three days a week, with trusted flexibility built on trust and transparency for everyone.
