Shape the high-speed interfaces and silicon sub-systems behind Graphcore’s next AI acceleration platforms.
As a Senior SoC Architect in Bristol, you’ll translate product requirements into specifications for complex, highly integrated, high-performance silicon devices. You’ll own sub-system architecture, modelling, validation and evaluation, connecting early design choices with practical implementation. You’ll help determine how critical components work together, balancing product needs with implementation trade-offs. Those choices will support the specialised compute that lets AI innovators tackle more demanding problems. You’ll assess third-party hard and soft IP, work with vendors and specify how sub-systems integrate across the platform. You’ll also contribute to silicon bring-up, characterisation and evaluation when your expertise is needed.
Your contribution won’t stop at a specification document. You’ll deepen your understanding of AI acceleration by seeing how architectural decisions play out in working silicon.
The team and cultureReporting to the Director of Silicon Architecture, you will be working with processor, SoC and system architects. Silicon design, verification, hardware and software engineers are partners in evaluating options and checking implementation correctness. You’ll represent the team in cross-functional working groups, making trade-offs clear and speaking up when designs need further scrutiny. You’ll help teams move forward by resolving complex bugs and improving engineering processes. Mentoring engineers will let you share your judgement and help others develop theirs.
What we’re looking for- A degree in Electronic Engineering, Computer Science or a related subject.
- A solid understanding of computer and SoC architecture.
- Experience writing clear technical specifications.
- Knowledge of RTL development and verification processes.
- The ability to explain design choices clearly and work across engineering teams.
- Confidence working across programming languages, with the initiative to take ownership of technical problems.
While we have outlined a set of requirements, we value transferable skills and diverse experiences. We also welcome engineers returning to the profession after a career break, including through returnship routes.
Benefits· Flexible working: Balance your work and personal life with greater flexibility
· Generous leave: Take time to rest, recharge and enjoy life outside of work
· Retirement planning support: Up to 5% matched pension
· Phantom equity: Share in Graphcore’s success
· Workplace experience: Enjoy thoughtfully designed office spaces for collaboration, with free food and an on-site barista to support your day
· Peace of mind protection: Income protection and life assurance to provide financial security for you and your loved ones
· Electric Vehicle Scheme: Choose an electric vehicle and lease it through salary sacrifice
· Flexible benefits: Tailor your benefits package with a choice of additional options, including private medical insurance and dental cover
· Optional benefits: Dental cover, health cash plan, private medical insurance, cycle to work scheme, give as you earn
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.
Applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide visa sponsorship or support visa applications for this role.
Join the Team at GraphcoreGraphcore 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.
Ready to turn architectural ideas into working silicon? Apply now to join Graphcore’s Silicon Architecture team in Bristol.
Skills Required
- Degree in Electronic Engineering, Computer Science, or a related subject
- Solid understanding of computer and SoC architecture
- Experience writing clear technical specifications
- Knowledge of RTL development and verification processes
- Ability to explain design choices clearly and work across engineering teams
- Confidence working across programming languages and initiative to take ownership of technical problems
What the Team is Saying
Graphcore Compensation & Benefits Highlights
-
Healthcare Strength — Company materials list private medical insurance, dental coverage, health cash plans, mental‑health support, and day‑one U.S. medical options via Cigna/Kaiser. Feedback suggests these offerings are a meaningful strength, particularly in the UK.
-
Leave & Time Off Breadth — Benefits highlight flexible working hours, unlimited annual leave, generous parental leave, and paid U.S. holidays. Feedback suggests work‑life balance is often described positively alongside these policies.
-
Retirement Support — UK information cites pension matching up to 5%, while U.S. listings describe a 401(k) with a 100% company match up to 6%. Feedback suggests these structured contributions are viewed as competitive elements of the package.
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.
