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
Desirable:
- 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
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 — U.S. offerings include day-one medical through Cigna/Kaiser with PPO and HDHP options plus employer HSA contributions, dental/vision, life insurance at 3x salary, disability, and mental-health support via Spring Health. Globally, private medical insurance, dental cover, a health cash plan, life assurance, income protection, and wellbeing support are highlighted.
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Retirement Support — U.S. employees are offered a 401(k) with a 100% company match up to 6% with a year-end true-up. In the UK/Europe, matched pension schemes up to 5% are stated.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Policies include flexible or “unlimited” PTO with 11 paid U.S. holidays and paid family leave. Careers materials also emphasize generous parental leave and flexible hours.
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.
