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.
Graphcore’s teams are drawn from diverse backgrounds and bring a broad range of skills and perspectives.
Job SummaryWe are seeking a Senior System Validation Engineer to design and implement validation tests for Arm-based data center SoCs using a combination of open-source benchmarking tools and custom micro-benchmarks. Define test cases, tune workload parameters, and use Python to automate and analyze validation across processing units, system memory, communication links, and PCI Express components.
The TeamThe Systems Validation team validates Graphcore’s AI compute platforms across hardware, firmware, and software domains.
Responsibilities and Duties- Translate hardware features into structured, parameterized test cases, including:
- Objectives, workload models, parameters, metrics, and pass/fail criteria.
- Use and tune open-source tools such as:
- Stress-ng, fio, iperf, sysbench, Imbench
- Define workload parameters:
- Concurrency (threads/cores), memory footprint, access patterns
- Queue depth, block size, CPU/NUMA affinity.
- Design and execute validation scenarios:
- Functional, performance, stress, and corner-case testing.
- Validate across domains:
- CPU scaling and cache behavior
- Memory (DDR/HBM) bandwidth, latency, and NUMA effects
- Interconnect contention under multi-core load
- PCIe/I-O throughput, latency, and multi-device scenarios
- Develop custom micro-benchmarks (C/C++) when existing tools are insufficient
- Use Python to:
- Automate test execution and orchestration
- Implement parameter sweeps and test matrices
- Parse, analyze, and visualize results.
- Debug system behavior and performance issues in collaboration with hardware and firmware teams
Essential:
- Strong background in Linux systems and low-level performance analysis
- Experience in system validation, benchmarking, or performance testing
- Solid understanding of one or more domains:
- CPU architecture, memory systems, or PCIe
- Experience using benchmarking tools (stress-ng, fio, iperf, etc.)
- Ability to define test cases, parameters, and workload models
- Proficiency in Python (essential) for automation, orchestration, and data analysis
- Programming experience in C/C++ for micro-benchmark development
- Experience with Arm-based platforms
- Strong programming skills in C/C++ and Python for system-level development and automation
- Familiarity with performance tools (perf, numactl, taskset)
- Experience with large-scale or high core-count 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
- Strong background in Linux systems and low-level performance analysis
- Experience in system validation, benchmarking, or performance testing
- Solid understanding of CPU architecture, memory systems, or PCIe
- Experience using benchmarking tools (stress-ng, fio, iperf, etc.)
- Ability to define test cases, parameters, and workload models
- Proficiency in Python for automation and data analysis
- Programming experience in C/C++ for micro-benchmark development
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.
