At a Glance
- Tasks: Dive into hardware design and signal integrity on real AI projects.
- Company: Join Graphcore, a leader in next-gen AI compute technology.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, annual leave, and access to online learning.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for career growth post-internship.
- Why this job: Gain hands-on experience and shape the future of AI technology.
- Qualifications: Studying Electronic Engineering or related fields with a passion for hardware.
The predicted salary is between 2500 - 2500 £ per month.
Location: Bristol, UK
Duration: 12 weeks
Salary: £2500 per month
Start date: June 2027
Applications deadline: Midnight, 29th November
We encourage you to apply early, as we may close applications before the advertised deadline.
The Internship Programme at Graphcore offers a 12-week summer internship, gaining hands-on experience on real projects. You’ll bring fresh ideas, put your learning into practice and help shape what we’re creating. Along the way, you’ll tackle challenging problems with a team who welcome your questions and support you as you build your skills and confidence.
What you’ll be doing:
- Put your engineering foundations to work exploring the electronic hardware behind Graphcore’s AI compute platforms.
- Your internship could focus on Hardware Design, Signal Integrity or elements of both, depending on your interests, the available projects and how your strengths develop.
- You’ll contribute to a clearly scoped design, analysis, validation or debugging task, with guidance as you work towards a conclusion supported by evidence.
- In Hardware Design, your tasks could include schematic and circuit design, component evaluation, PCB development, board bring-up or laboratory testing.
- In Signal Integrity, you could explore high-speed links such as PCIe and Ethernet, DDR and other memory interfaces, or clocks and timing-critical signals.
Your team and support:
Hardware Design and Signal Integrity engineers work closely with PCB layout, silicon, validation, firmware, mechanical and thermal engineering, manufacturing and system teams. You’ll see how different engineering perspectives come together to make complex boards work. Staff Hardware Engineers and Team Leads will support you with clearly scoped work and regular technical guidance.
How you’ll learn and grow:
Over the 12 weeks, you’ll connect your studies with how boards are designed, analysed, brought up and validated. Your project will help you develop a methodical approach to defining a problem, testing your thinking and explaining what the evidence shows. You’ll gain exposure to professional tools such as Mentor Expedition, Ansys HFSS and Keysight ADS, as relevant to your work.
What we're looking for:
- Currently studying towards a degree in Electronic Engineering, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Computer Engineering, Physics or a closely related technical discipline.
- Strong electrical and electronic engineering foundations, with an interest in hardware design or signal integrity and how real electronic systems work.
- A logical, first-principles approach to unfamiliar problems, with practical engineering experience from university projects, laboratory work, personal projects or activities such as Formula Student, robotics or engineering societies.
- The ability to work with measurements or technical data and explain your conclusions clearly, with curiosity, willingness to take ownership and openness to feedback and collaboration.
Benefits:
- Flexible working: Find a balance between your internship and life outside work.
- 5 days of annual leave: Take time to rest and recharge during your 12-week internship.
- Life in the office: Get to know your colleagues in spaces designed for collaboration, with free food, a great selection of ice cream and an on-site barista.
- Learning and development: Build your skills and explore your interests with access to O’Reilly, our online learning platform.
We welcome people from all backgrounds and experiences and are committed to building an inclusive environment where everyone can do their best work. We’re an equal opportunity employer and recognise that everyone brings different strengths and perspectives.
Sponsorship: Applicants must already have the right to work in the UK for the full duration of the programme, without requiring visa sponsorship. We are unable to sponsor work visas for our Early Careers opportunities.
How to apply and what to expect: To apply, answer the application questions below and upload your CV and cover letter. We’ll let you know the outcome of your application by early December at the latest. If successful, you’ll be invited to complete a technical assessment. Candidates who reach the final stage will then be invited to attend in-person assessments in early spring.
Hardware Summer Intern 2027 in Bristol employer: Graphcore Early Careers
At Graphcore, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration among our talented team of engineers. Located in the vibrant city of Bristol, we provide flexible working arrangements, generous benefits including private medical insurance and a supportive parental leave policy, and a commitment to employee growth through diverse project opportunities. Join us to make a meaningful impact in the fast-evolving field of AI compute, where your contributions will be valued and recognised.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Hardware Summer Intern 2027 in Bristol
✨Get Involved in Engineering Societies
Join local engineering societies or student chapters; they often have networking events and workshops tailored for internship seekers. It's a great way to meet professionals and get insider tips on which companies, like Graphcore Early Careers, are hiring!
✨Attend Career Fairs and Workshops
Make the most of your university's career fairs! These events often feature companies looking specifically for interns, and they give us the chance to make a direct impression on recruiters from places like Graphcore Early Careers. Bring your best elevator pitch and showcase your enthusiasm!
✨Show Off Your Projects
Make sure to create a portfolio or a personal website showcasing any relevant projects you’ve worked on, whether it's uni assignments or personal projects. This visual representation will help you stand out during interviews or casual chats with engineers from Graphcore Early Careers!
✨Leverage Internships to Build Skills
Don't just aim for any internship; seek out those that allow you to learn and grow. Even roles at startups can offer hands-on experience that's invaluable. We should focus on companies like Graphcore Early Careers that may have rotational internship programmes, providing us with diverse experiences.
We think you need these skills to ace Hardware Summer Intern 2027 in Bristol
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Skills:In the engineering world, we want to see your technical skills front and centre. When you’re crafting your CV, highlight any relevant coursework, projects, or software you’ve used. If you’ve got experience with CAD programs or any engineering software, make sure to mention that to grab our attention!
Tailor Your Motivation in the Cover Letter:This internship is all about learning and growth, so let us know why you're excited about this opportunity at Graphcore Early Careers. Your cover letter should reflect your passion for engineering and willingness to learn — share what makes us the perfect place for you to dip your toes into the industry!
Include Relevant Academic Projects:If you've completed any engineering projects, whether in class or on your own time, showcase those in your application. We love to see practical experience, even if it’s from school! Detail what you did, what techniques you used, and any challenges you faced. This shows us you can apply your knowledge in real-world situations.
Keep it Clear and Concise:When you're applying for an internship, we know it can be tempting to cram every detail into your CV or cover letter. But keep it clear and to the point! One page for your CV is usually enough — highlight the most relevant bits and make sure your passion for engineering shines through without any fluff.
How to prepare for a job interview at Graphcore Early Careers
✨Brush Up on Technical Fundamentals
For an engineering internship like the one at Graphcore Early Careers, it’s essential to have a solid grasp of core principles. Expect technical questions that test your understanding of basic engineering concepts. We recommend revising key topics relevant to the role and finding some example problems to solve ahead of time.
✨Show Your Passion for Engineering
During the interview, we should communicate our enthusiasm for engineering and the specific area you're applying to. Share any projects, coursework, or experiences that fuelled your interest. Companies like Graphcore Early Careers often look for candidates who not only have the skills but also a genuine passion for the field.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Be ready for situational questions that probe your problem-solving and critical-thinking abilities. You might be asked how you would approach a specific engineering challenge or design a solution to a hypothetical problem relevant to the industry. Think through a few scenarios before going in, as these can really demonstrate your thought process.
✨Highlight Your Teamwork Skills
Internships often involve collaboration, so we should be prepared to discuss our experiences working in teams. Have examples ready where you've worked as part of a group on projects, whether in a school setting or during co-curricular activities. This will show Graphcore Early Careers that we understand the importance of collaboration in engineering.
