About us
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.
About the Role
We are looking for Staff System Software Engineer in Test to join our team.
In this role, you will be responsible for design, development, automation and reporting of Integration and system tests spanning across firmware and device drivers.
This role requires you to have significant technical breadth and deep understanding of low-level system software specifically in server class systems.
You will be part of a new team responsible for integration of different system software deliverables and development of system tests spanning all the components. You will
contribute to shaping the test strategy , guide best practices and solve complex problems while maintaining a strong hands-on focus. You will partner with development and other QA teams to deliver high quality scalable and reliable solutions.
About the Team
Integration and system test team is responsible for verification and validation of integrated components across Board management controller (BMC), Firmware and Linux device driver. The team is also responsible for management and maintenance of common tools and pipelines used across the system software organization.
Responsibilities and Duties
Design and Development
· Act as a technical authority for designing test infrastructure and features.
· Design, Implement, Execute and report on high quality tests to ensure team has a high-quality gate for the system software release package.
· Develop re-usable and scalable pipeline solutions to support component teams
· Design, implement and maintain internal tools.
· Take ownership of technically challenging areas and ensure near 100% feature coverage.
· Perform initial triage and debugging of both internal and external issues.
· Review and improve design, coding and implementation processes across the team.
Cross-Functional Interactions
· Collaborate with component developers and QA to understand the interactions between different components.
· Consult stakeholders of the package to understand their use-cases to develop robust system tests.
· Develop acceptance pipelines covering tests across teams using the system software package.
· Communicate complex technical concepts clearly to both expert and non-expert audiences.
Quality, Reliability and System thinking
· Ensure correctness, robustness, security, scalability and maintainability of the tools and pipeline solutions.
· Contribute to improvement in validation framework, CI/CD systems, testing methodologies and packaging pipelines.
· Drive root-cause investigations and long-term corrective actions along with the component teams for all incoming issues.
Mentorship
· Mentor junior engineers within the team.
· Raise quality and coding standards through guidance, best practices and setting an example.
· Contribute to long term improvements in culture and team ceremonies.
Candidate Profile
Essentials
· 10+ years of experience in low level system testing and integration.
· Experience working with RTOS and complex boot logic.
· Experience working with Linux and device drivers
· Experience in test development using Python and C/C++.
· Experience with CI/CD pipelines using GitHub/GitLab/Jenkins or similar.
· Experience with build and integration tools and modern testing practices.
· Excellent problem-solving skills and a track record of working with complex cross-layer issues.
· Strong communication skills and proven ability to document.
Desired
· Experience working with server class systems
· Experience either with openBMC or Zephyr.
· Experience with Qemu or similar emulation environment.
Skills Required
- Strong experience in bare-metal / embedded C/C++
- Good knowledge of digital ASICs
- Experience of the post-silicon validation process in digital ASIC environments
- Python for test frameworks and automation
- Linux
- Ability to work across teams, strong communication and collaboration skills
- Excellent problem-solving, analytical & diagnostic skills
- Driver-level experience with PCIe
- Driver-level experience with Ethernet
- Experience with memory technologies (LPDDR, DDR, HBM)
- Experience with peripherals such as I2C, I3C, SPI
- Knowledge of mixed-signal blocks (PLLs, high-speed PHYs)
- Experience with Arm CPUs, System IP and debug tools
- Experience of AMBA protocols
- Understanding of ML applications and workloads
- Experience in characterization, failure analysis, test development, statistical analysis, or customer support
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.
