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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead product engineering and manage the Bristol validation lab for AI silicon.
- Company: Join Axelera AI, a pioneering deep-tech startup transforming the AI landscape.
- Benefits: Attractive compensation, pension plan, employee insurances, and share options.
- Why this job: Shape the future of AI while working in a dynamic, innovative environment.
- Qualifications: Hands-on experience in semiconductor test development and strong leadership skills.
- Other info: Embrace diversity and creativity in a collaborative team culture.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 £ 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 $120 million and have built a world-class team of 220+ employees (including 49+ PhDs with more than 40,000 citations), both remotely from 17 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 Metisâ„¢ 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
We’re looking for a hands-on technical leader to own product engineering from tapeout to production and day-to-day operation of our Bristol validation lab. You’ll be responsible for the full journey of our AI accelerator silicon—from first silicon bring-up, characterization, qualification, and ATE development through NPI and OSAT handoff—while leading the team and infrastructure that make this possible. This is a deeply practical role, combining test development, silicon debug, and lab leadership with external partner management. You’ll lead test engineers, validation engineers, and lab technicians, ensuring our silicon meets datacentre and automotive quality standards and that our lab operates efficiently as we scale to multiple concurrent chip programs.
Key responsibilities
- Product Engineering & Test (Tapeout → Production)
- Own ATE strategy and test program development from early silicon through high-volume manufacturing
- Drive first-silicon bring-up, working closely with design teams to validate functionality and performance
- Define production test architecture, balancing coverage, cost, and throughput
- Lead qualification and reliability activities across voltage, temperature, and aging conditions
- Establish qualification methodologies for automotive and datacentre markets
- Own NPI processes, including phase gates, cross-functional reviews, and documentation
- Manage OSAT relationships: partner evaluation, test transfer, and production readiness
- Collaborate with foundries on yield analysis, process monitoring, and improvement actions
- Lead the Bristol validation lab where dev board bring-up, silicon characterization, and test development are performed
- Manage lab operations: equipment, calibration, procurement, stock control, and safety
- Oversee validation work including power sequencing, JTAG/scan testing, clock and signal integrity characterization, and thermal validation
- Guide development of test fixtures, cable assemblies, and lab tooling
- Prioritize and oversee small engineering projects that support product development
- Evolve the lab from an informal setup into a scalable, well-controlled engineering operation
What You’ll Build
- A scalable product engineering function supporting multiple silicon programs
- Robust ATE infrastructure from engineering characterization to volume manufacturing
- Strong DFT and testability practices embedded early in design
- A structured, well-run validation lab with clear procedures, maintained equipment, and improved stock control
- Trusted external partnerships with OSATs, test houses, and foundries
Qualifications
- Significant hands-on experience in semiconductor test development and silicon characterization
- Strong understanding of ATE platforms and test program optimization
- Deep knowledge of reliability physics and qualification of complex SoCs
- Experience with silicon debug and failure analysis tools (oscilloscopes, logic analysers, thermal tools, FA workflows)
- Practical lab management experience including calibration, equipment management, and safety
- Solid understanding of test and manufacturing economics
- Build, mentor, and scale a multidisciplinary engineering team
- Act as a senior technical leader in architectural reviews and roadmap discussions
- Communicate complex technical topics clearly to engineers and executives
- Manage multiple parallel workstreams across internal teams and external partners
- Operate comfortably from strategic planning down to hands-on problem solving in the lab
- Experience with automotive or datacentre qualification standards is a strong plus
Location
This position is based in Bristol on an on-site/hybrid basis.
What Success Looks Like
- Year 1:
- Successful bring-up and qualification of the next chip program
- Smooth transition of current products into qualified production
- Clear test strategy aligned with quality and cost goals
- More efficient, better-structured Bristol lab operations
- Faster tapeout-to-production cycles
- Strong, repeatable quality metrics
- A product engineering team and lab that scale cleanly as the company grows
What we offer
This is your chance to shape and be part of a dynamic, fast-growing, international organization. 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.
Silicon Product Engineering Lead (Bristol) employer: Axelera AI
Contact Detail:
Axelera AI Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Silicon Product Engineering Lead (Bristol)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend meetups, and connect with current employees at Axelera AI. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you’ve got a portfolio or any projects related to silicon product engineering, make sure to highlight them in conversations. It’s all about demonstrating what you can bring to the table.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by diving deep into Axelera AI’s products and values. Knowing their Metis™ AI Platform inside out will help you stand out and show that you’re genuinely interested in being part of their mission.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining the team at Axelera AI.
We think you need these skills to ace Silicon Product Engineering Lead (Bristol)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for AI and semiconductor technology shine through. We want to see that you’re genuinely excited about the role and how you can contribute to our mission at Axelera AI.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure to customise your CV to highlight relevant experience in product engineering and silicon characterisation. We love seeing how your background aligns with our needs, so don’t hold back on showcasing your skills!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to describe your experiences and achievements, as we appreciate clarity and directness in communication. Remember, less is often more!
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 the role. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Axelera AI
✨Know Your Silicon Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of semiconductor test development and silicon characterisation. Be ready to discuss specific projects you've worked on, especially those involving ATE platforms and test program optimisation. This will show that you’re not just familiar with the theory but have practical experience too.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
Since this role involves leading a team, be prepared to share examples of how you've successfully managed teams in the past. Talk about how you’ve mentored engineers or improved lab operations. Highlighting your ability to build and scale a multidisciplinary engineering team will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Showcase Problem-Solving Abilities
Expect to face technical questions that assess your problem-solving skills. Prepare to discuss how you've tackled challenges in silicon debug or failure analysis. Use specific examples to illustrate your hands-on approach and strategic thinking, especially in high-pressure situations.
✨Align with Their Vision
Axelera AI is all about innovation and advancing humanity through AI. Make sure you convey your passion for technology and how it can improve the world. Share your thoughts on the future of AI and how you see yourself contributing to their mission. This will help you connect with the company's culture and values.
