At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead silicon product engineering and validation lab, driving innovation in AI technology.
- Company: Join Axelera AI, a pioneering deep-tech startup transforming the future of AI.
- Benefits: Attractive compensation, pension plan, employee insurances, and company shares.
- Other info: Collaborative culture that values creativity and diversity.
- Why this job: Shape the future of AI while working in a dynamic, inclusive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in product, test, and qualification of complex SoCs; strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 100000 - 150000 £ per year.
About Us
Axelera AI is not your regular deep-tech startup. We are creating the next-generation AI platform to support anyone who wants to help advancing humanity and improve the world around us. In just four years, we have raised a total of $370 million and have built a world-class team of 220+ employees (including 49+ PhDs with more than 40,000 citations), both remotely from 18 different countries and with offices in Belgium, France, Switzerland, Italy, the UK, headquartered at the High Tech Campus in Eindhoven, Netherlands. We have also launched our Metis™ AI Platform, which achieves a 3-5x increase in efficiency and performance, and have visibility into a strong business pipeline exceeding $100 million. Our unwavering commitment to innovation has firmly established us as a global industry pioneer.
Position Overview
You'll own Silicon Product Engineering and our Bristol validation lab end-to-end — from tapeout through NPI to volume production — and lead the teams that get us there. The NPI Engineering Manager and Lab Manager report to you; you report to the executive team and partner closely with Design, Sales, and our external manufacturing ecosystem. This is a director-level leadership role. It needs someone with the technical depth to make sound ATE, NPI and OSAT calls and earn senior engineers' respect, plus the commercial judgement to own budgets, headcount, and the day-to-day running of two technical departments as we scale across concurrent chip programs.
Key responsibilities:
- Product engineering & strategy
- The product engineering roadmap across all silicon programs, from tapeout planning to high-volume manufacturing
- ATE strategy and major NPI decisions: build-vs-buy, test-coverage trade-offs, OSAT selection
- Tapeout-to-production timelines — surfacing risk early and coordinating resolution across design, validation, and partners
- Product qualification strategy for datacentre and automotive markets
- NPI governance: phase gates, cross-functional reviews, executive reporting
- External partners
- Strategic relationships with OSATs, ATE vendors, foundries, and test houses — selection, negotiation, production readiness
- Test program transfer, ramp, and ongoing yield improvement with OSAT and foundry partners
- Bristol lab
- Evolving the validation lab into a scalable, well-run operation; owning its budget, standards, and safety
- Through the Lab Manager, overseeing silicon bring-up, characterization, and production test development
- Ensuring validation capability (power, JTAG/scan, signal integrity, thermal) keeps pace with the roadmap
- Team
- Building, leading, and mentoring a multidisciplinary team of test engineers, validation engineers, and lab technicians
- Recruiting and retaining senior talent in a competitive market
- Translating executive strategy into clear direction, and representing both functions to the exec team, board, and key customers
What we are looking for:
- A background spanning product, test, assembly, and qualification of complex SoCs — ideally including hands-on lab time and exposure to startup or high-growth environments
- Deep command of ATE platforms and test program development, from early silicon to volume
- Strong grasp of reliability physics and qualification methodology, including automotive and datacentre standards
- Working knowledge of DFT, silicon debug/FA workflows, and test/manufacturing economics
- A proven track record leading and scaling technical teams in fast-moving semiconductor environments
- Senior-level OSAT/foundry/test-house management, including commercial negotiation
- Director-level department ownership: budgets, headcount, resourcing
- Strong executive communication — able to take complex technical topics to a board-level audience
- Comfort building process and infrastructure from scratch, and making high-impact calls with incomplete information
Nice to have:
- Automotive (AEC-Q100) or datacentre qualification experience; prior time in AI hardware or a high-growth deep-tech startup.
Success in the first 12 months:
- Next chip program brought up and qualified on schedule
- Current products transitioned into qualified, cost-effective production
- A clear, executive-aligned test and product engineering strategy across all active programs
- A better-structured, better-equipped, better-controlled Bristol lab
- Key OSAT and foundry partnerships strengthened and formalised
Location
Our Bristol (UK) office in an on-site / hybrid capacity.
What we offer
This is your chance to shape and be part of a dynamic, fast-growing, international organisation. We offer an attractive compensation package, including a pension plan, extensive employee insurances and the option to get company shares. An open culture that supports creativity and continual innovation is awaiting you. Collaborative ownership and freedom with responsibility is characteristic for the way we act and work as a team. At Axelera AI, we wholeheartedly embrace equal opportunity and hold diversity in the highest regard. Our steadfast commitment is to cultivate a warm and inclusive environment that empowers and celebrates every member of our team. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds to join us in shaping the future of AI.
Director - Silicon Product & Test Engineering in Bristol employer: Axelera AI
Axelera AI is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant and inclusive work culture that fosters creativity and innovation. With a strong commitment to employee growth, we provide opportunities for professional development and the chance to shape the future of AI in a dynamic, fast-growing international organisation. Our Bristol office promotes a collaborative environment, where employees enjoy attractive compensation packages, including pension plans and share options, all while being part of a diverse team dedicated to advancing humanity.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director - Silicon Product & Test Engineering in Bristol
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy to reach out on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their products and recent news. This will help you tailor your answers and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Do mock interviews with friends or use online platforms. The more comfortable you are with your responses, the more confident you'll feel when it’s time to shine in front of the hiring team.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Director - Silicon Product & Test Engineering in Bristol
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in silicon product engineering and team leadership. We want to see how your background aligns with our mission at Axelera AI!
Showcase Your Technical Skills:Don’t hold back on detailing your technical expertise, especially in ATE platforms and test program development. We’re looking for someone who can impress us with their knowledge and experience in the semiconductor field.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so make sure your key achievements and skills stand out without unnecessary fluff.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity at Axelera AI!
How to prepare for a job interview at Axelera AI
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you have a solid grasp of the technical aspects related to silicon product engineering. Brush up on ATE platforms, NPI processes, and reliability physics. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you’re not just a leader but also someone who understands the nitty-gritty.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've built and led teams in fast-paced environments. Highlight your experience in mentoring and recruiting talent, as well as how you've translated executive strategies into actionable plans. This role is all about leadership, so make sure you demonstrate your capability.
✨Understand the Business Side
Familiarise yourself with budget management and commercial negotiations. Be ready to discuss how you’ve handled headcount and resource allocation in previous roles. Showing that you can balance technical expertise with commercial judgement will set you apart.
✨Engage with Their Vision
Axelera AI is all about innovation and advancing humanity through AI. Research their Metis™ AI Platform and be prepared to discuss how your vision aligns with theirs. Showing genuine interest in their mission will resonate well with the interviewers.
