About us
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 enjoys a culture of continuous learning and constant innovation.
Job Summary
We are seeking a Principal BMC Firmware Engineer to lead the architecture and development of OpenBMC-based management firmware for hyperscale AI server platforms.
This role focuses on building scalable platform management firmware that enables system monitoring, telemetry, power and thermal management, and lifecycle management across large-scale data center deployments.
The Team
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.
The Firmware Engineering team develops platform management firmware responsible for monitoring, controlling, and servicing Graphcore’s AI compute infrastructure.
The team collaborates closely with hardware engineering, silicon teams, platform architects, and validation teams to deliver reliable firmware across server and rack-scale systems.
Responsibilities and Duties
- Lead the architecture and development of OpenBMC firmware for hyperscale server platforms.
- Enable hardware integration including power management, sensors, FRU inventory, and device management.
- Develop scalable manageability interfaces using D-Bus, Redfish, PLDM, and MCTP protocols.
- Architect firmware security capabilities including Root of Trust, secure boot chains, and measured boot.
- Design firmware lifecycle management frameworks including multi-component firmware updates with rollback protection.
- Develop telemetry and observability pipelines for fleet-scale monitoring and diagnostics.
- Collaborate with silicon vendors and ODM partners from architecture through manufacturing ramp.
- Contribute to OpenBMC upstream projects and relevant industry standards.
- Mentor engineers and promote best practices in Yocto builds, CI/CD pipelines, and automated testing.
- Lead system-level debugging across hardware and firmware in lab and production environments.
Candidate Profile
Essential
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or equivalent experience.
- 10+ years of experience developing BMC firmware for server or data center platforms.
- Strong expertise with OpenBMC including D-Bus services, Yocto/BitBake, and platform integration.
- Strong programming skills in C/C++ and scripting languages such as Python or Bash.
- Experience with platform management protocols including Redfish, PLDM, SPDM, MCTP, and IPMI.
- Strong understanding of server hardware architecture including power delivery, thermals, sensors, and FRUs.
- Experience with hardware interfaces such as I²C, I3C, SPI, and PCIe.
- Experience building CI/CD pipelines for firmware development and validation.
- Strong debugging skills using tools such as JTAG, GDB, and logic analyzers.
Desirable
- Experience developing OpenBMC for ARM-based server platforms in hyperscale environments.
- Hands-on contributions to the OpenBMC codebase or upstream community.
- Experience working with ODM/JDM partners across the platform lifecycle.
- Experience delivering firmware for large-scale cloud deployments and fleet update infrastructure.
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
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or equivalent experience
- 10+ years developing BMC firmware for server or data center platforms
- Strong expertise with OpenBMC including D-Bus services, Yocto/BitBake, and platform integration
- Strong programming skills in C/C++ and scripting languages such as Python or Bash
- Experience with platform management protocols including Redfish, PLDM, SPDM, MCTP, and IPMI
- Strong understanding of server hardware architecture including power delivery, thermals, sensors, and FRUs
- Experience with hardware interfaces such as I2C, I3C, SPI, and PCIe
- Experience building CI/CD pipelines for firmware development and validation
- Strong debugging skills using tools such as JTAG, GDB, and logic analyzers
- Experience developing OpenBMC for ARM-based server platforms in hyperscale environments
- Hands-on contributions to the OpenBMC codebase or upstream community
- Experience working with ODM/JDM partners across the platform lifecycle
- Experience delivering firmware for large-scale cloud deployments and fleet update infrastructure
What the Team is Saying
Graphcore Compensation & Benefits Highlights
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Healthcare Strength — Health coverage includes medical and dental insurance, with US plans through Cigna and Kaiser, HDHP options with employer‑funded HSA contributions, a health cash plan, EAP access, and dedicated mental‑health support. These provisions extend to family options in some regions, reinforcing broad medical and wellbeing support.
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Retirement Support — Retirement programs include a UK pension match up to 5% and a US 401(k) with a 100% company match up to 6% (with a true‑up). This pairing signals strong, predictable long‑term savings support across key locations.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Time‑off policies feature “unlimited” holiday in the UK and flexible, generous PTO with paid US holidays. Paid family leave for birthing parents and bonding further broadens time‑away support.
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.
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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.
