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.
Reporting to an Engineering leader, the Principal Engineering Program Manager is responsible for driving the planning, coordination, execution, and delivery of complex engineering programs across multiple teams and disciplines. This role partners closely with engineering, product, and business stakeholders to align priorities, manage dependencies, mitigate risks, and ensure successful delivery of strategic initiatives. The position serves as a key operational leader, enabling effective decision-making, communication, and execution across a dynamic engineering organization.
The Engineering Program Management team works across Graphcore’s engineering organization to support the successful delivery of complex technology initiatives. The team provides leadership in program planning, execution management, cross-functional coordination, operational excellence, and continuous improvement. By working closely with technical and business stakeholders, the team helps ensure alignment, visibility, and predictable execution of critical engineering objectives.
- Lead complex cross-functional engineering programs from initiation through delivery.
- Develop and maintain integrated program plans, schedules, milestones, and delivery roadmaps.
- Coordinate activities across engineering, product, operations, and business functions to achieve program objectives.
- Identify, assess, and manage program risks, issues, dependencies, and mitigation plans.
- Drive alignment across stakeholders and facilitate effective decision-making processes.
- Establish and maintain program governance, reporting mechanisms, and operational reviews.
- Track execution against plans and provide clear communication of progress, challenges, and key decisions.
- Support prioritization activities and help balance competing business and engineering objectives.
- Facilitate planning cycles, program reviews, retrospective activities, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Develop scalable processes and frameworks that improve program execution and organizational effectiveness.
- Build strong partnerships with engineering leaders and technical teams to enable successful delivery outcomes.
- Prepare and present program status, recommendations, and strategic insights to senior stakeholders.
- Drive accountability for commitments and ensure timely resolution of blockers impacting delivery.
- Contribute to the ongoing development of program management best practices across the organization.
- 12 years of experience leading large, complex engineering or technical programs in a technology-focused environment.
- Strong program management expertise with a track record of delivering cross-functional initiatives.
- Experience managing multiple stakeholders across engineering, product, operations, and business functions.
- Demonstrated ability to drive alignment and influence outcomes without direct authority.
- Strong risk management, dependency management, and execution planning skills.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills with the ability to engage technical and non-technical audiences.
- Experience creating executive-level reporting, program reviews, and delivery metrics.
- Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving capabilities.
- Ability to manage ambiguity and operate effectively in a fast-paced environment.
- Experience leading process improvement and operational excellence initiatives.
- Experience working within semiconductor, AI, high-performance computing, cloud infrastructure, or advanced technology organizations.
- Familiarity with hardware and software product development lifecycles.
- Experience supporting globally distributed engineering teams.
- Knowledge of Agile, Scrum, Kanban, or hybrid program delivery methodologies.
- Experience implementing program management tools, frameworks, and governance models.
- Relevant program management certification or equivalent professional qualification.
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 degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related discipline
- Strong experience with server hardware architectures and board-level debugging
- Experience analyzing system logs, hardware telemetry, and power/thermal metrics to isolate hardware failures
- Hands-on experience with HPC systems, AI compute platforms, or rack-scale infrastructure
- Strong collaboration skills and ability to work effectively in fast-paced engineering environments
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Experience supporting prototype or pre-production hardware bring-up
- Familiarity with data center facilities, including liquid cooling and power distribution systems
- Experience using Python, Bash, or automation tools for hardware validation or troubleshooting
- Exposure to structured failure analysis and reliability engineering methodologies
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.
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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.
