Graphcore is a globally recognized leader in Artificial Intelligence computing systems. The company designs advanced semiconductors and data center hardware that provide the specialized 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, which will play a central role in Graphcore's work building the future of AI computing.
We are looking for a Principal Firmware Design Engineer with strong experience in the Zephyr RTOS to design, develop, and maintain embedded software across server and rack-scale platforms, primarily targeted for hyperscale data center environments. The ideal candidate has deep knowledge of real-time embedded systems, SoC architectures, low-level drivers, and modern firmware development workflows. You will work closely with hardware, software, and product teams to deliver high-reliability firmware on resource-constrained platforms.
RESPONSIBILITIES- Architecture, design, development, and deployment of Zephyr-based firmware for hyperscale server and rack management platforms. This includes kernel configuration, board bring-up, and subsystem integration.
- Develop and maintain device drivers, subsystems, and middleware layers for sensors, connectivity, power management, storage, and peripherals.
- Design and implement robust and scalable firmware interfaces for telemetry, power/thermal controls, remote manageability, and firmware update infrastructure.
- Perform board configuration (DTS, Kconfig, build system) and debug low-level issues.
- Collaborate with hardware teams and ODM partners through all phases of the design and development lifecycle. This includes schematic reviews, validation of interfaces, and supporting board bring-up and hardware validation.
- Implement secure boot, firmware update mechanisms (MCUboot, DFU), and over-the-air (OTA) functionality when required.
- Develop automated unit tests, integration tests, and hardware-in-the-loop testing using Zephyr’s testing frameworks (Twister, ztest).
- Guide and support integration of firmware into CI/CD pipelines, including automated builds, regression testing, static analysis, and deployment workflows.
- Partner with hardware, BMC/RMC, security, systems, and validation teams to drive alignment across the entire platform stack.
- Debug complex hardware/firmware/system issues in lab and production environments. Provide debugging and root-cause analysis using tools such as JTAG/SWD, logic analyzers, and Zephyr tracing/logging systems.
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related discipline.
- 5+ years of hands-on experience in firmware development
- Hands-on experience with Zephyr RTOS, including device tree, Kconfig, board configuration, and driver development.
- Experience with ARM Cortex-M or similar MCU architectures.
- Solid understanding of SPI, I²C, UART, CanBus, PWM, GPIO, interrupts, DMA, and other low-level interfaces.
- Familiarity with version control (Git), CI/CD workflows, and code-review practices.
- Strong debugging abilities with embedded hardware and software tools.
- Experience with code static analysis tools and vulnerability scanners.
- Experience with system-level debug tools such as logic analyzers, JTAG, and GDB.
- Experience contributing to open-source RTOS projects, ideally Zephyr.
- Background in networking stacks supported by Zephyr.
- Knowledge of secure firmware architectures, trusted execution environments, or cryptography libraries used in embedded systems.
- Experience with MCUboot, OTA pipelines, or secure firmware provisioning.
- Proficiency with Python for automation, tooling, or testing.
We welcome people of different backgrounds and experiences and are committed to building an inclusive work environment that makes Graphcore a great home for everyone. We are an equal opportunity employer and want to build a work environment where everyone is happy, productive and respectful so they can do their best work. If you have a disability or additional need that requires accommodation, just let us know.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related discipline
- 5+ years of hands-on experience in firmware development
- Hands-on experience with Zephyr RTOS, including device tree, Kconfig, board configuration, and driver development
- Experience with ARM Cortex-M or similar MCU architectures
- Solid understanding of SPI, I²C, UART, CanBus, PWM, GPIO, interrupts, DMA, and other low-level interfaces
- Familiarity with version control (Git), CI/CD workflows, and code-review practices
- Strong debugging abilities with embedded hardware and software tools
- Experience with code static analysis tools and vulnerability scanners
- Experience with system-level debug tools such as logic analyzers, JTAG, and GDB
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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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.
