At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead post-silicon validation for cutting-edge AI SoCs and ensure top-notch quality.
- Company: Join Graphcore, a leader in AI compute innovation and part of the SoftBank Group.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, private medical insurance, and a vibrant office culture.
- Other info: Inclusive environment with a focus on continuous learning and career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in AI technology and work with diverse, talented teams.
- Qualifications: 20+ years in silicon validation with strong leadership and technical problem-solving skills.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 £ per year.
About Graphcore
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.
The Role
We are developing the next generation of AI compute, a large-scale system-on-chip (SoC) designed to power future high-performance AI systems. As the SoC Validation Lead, you will be responsible for enabling pre-production software to run reliably on new silicon quickly and efficiently, before showing that the silicon meets the highest standards of quality, reliability and functionality, ready for production deployment.
You will lead a team delivering post-silicon validation across the full AI SoC, working across silicon, firmware, and platform levels. The role requires a deep technical understanding, strong hands-on debug experience, and the ability to collaborate effectively with hardware, software, and systems engineering teams.
Responsibilities
- Define and lead post-silicon validation strategy
Develop and refine the overall post-silicon validation approach for our AI SoCs, ensuring reliable and timely delivery of validated silicon, architectural correctness, feature robustness, and at-scale system reliability. - Drive cross-domain debug and issue resolution
Lead investigation and resolution of complex issues spanning silicon, firmware, operating systems, and platform interactions. Ensure that fixes are effective and sustainable. - Promote collaboration and shared understanding
Work closely with design, software, and validation teams to align on quality objectives and debug priorities. Use data-driven insights and clear communication to maintain focus and alignment across teams. - Advance automation and scalable validation
Encourage the use of emulation, prototyping, and large-scale validation infrastructure to improve coverage and reduce time to debug. - Support continuous improvement
Foster a culture that values learning, transparency, and improvement in validation methods, automation, and analysis. - Engage with leadership and customers
Provide clear and concise updates on validation progress, risks, and quality indicators to executive teams and key partners. Contribute to product readiness assessments and roadmap decisions.
About you
- A systems thinker comfortable working across hardware, software, and integration boundaries.
- A collaborative leader who builds trust and alignment across diverse teams.
- Skilled in technical problem solving and debugging complex post-silicon issues.
- A clear communicator who can simplify complexity and support sound decision-making in fast-paced environments.
- Committed to developing people and promoting an inclusive, high-performing team culture.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Electronic Engineering or equivalent; Master’s preferred.
- 20+ years in silicon, system, or platform validation, including 10+ years in technical leadership.
- Proven experience leading post-silicon validation and bring-up for complex SoCs (AI, GPU, or CPU).
- Strong understanding of SoC architecture, coherency protocols, power management, and interconnects.
- Expertise in debug tools, DFT infrastructure, and validation automation frameworks.
- Proficient in C/C++, Python, and Linux-based environments; experience with large-scale validation clusters is an advantage.
- Excellent communication, collaboration, and stakeholder management skills.
Benefits
In addition to a competitive salary, Graphcore offers flexible working, a generous annual leave policy, private medical insurance and health cash plan, a dental plan, pension (matched up to 5%), life assurance and income protection. We have a generous parental leave policy and an employee assistance programme (which includes health, mental wellbeing, and bereavement support). We offer a range of healthy food and snacks at our central Bristol office and have our own barista bar! We welcome people of different backgrounds and experiences; we’re committed to building an inclusive work environment that makes Graphcore a great home for everyone. We offer an equal opportunity process and understand that there are visible and invisible differences in all of us. We can provide a flexible approach to interview and encourage you to chat to us if you require any reasonable adjustments.
Applicants for this position must hold the right to work in the UK. Unfortunately at this time, we are unable to provide visa sponsorship or support for visa applications
AI SoC Validation / Bring-up Lead in Bristol employer: graphcore
Graphcore is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in the heart of Bristol where innovation thrives. With a strong commitment to employee growth, flexible working arrangements, and a culture that values diversity and collaboration, Graphcore empowers its teams to push the boundaries of AI technology while enjoying comprehensive benefits including private medical insurance, generous leave policies, and a vibrant office atmosphere complete with healthy snacks and a barista bar.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land AI SoC Validation / Bring-up Lead in Bristol
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the industry, especially those at Graphcore. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for technical interviews by brushing up on your debugging skills and SoC architecture knowledge. We want you to shine when it comes to problem-solving during those tricky scenarios!
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your collaborative spirit! Highlight experiences where you’ve worked across teams to solve complex issues. Graphcore values teamwork, so let’s make sure they see that in you.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step.
We think you need these skills to ace AI SoC Validation / Bring-up Lead in Bristol
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the AI SoC Validation Lead role. Highlight your technical leadership and post-silicon validation experience to catch our eye!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to tell us why you're passionate about AI and how your background makes you a perfect fit for Graphcore. Be genuine and let your personality shine through!
Showcase Your Technical Skills:Don’t forget to mention your expertise in C/C++, Python, and any relevant debug tools. We love seeing candidates who can demonstrate their technical prowess right from the start.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands and shows us you’re serious about joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at graphcore
✨Know Your SoC Inside Out
Make sure you have a solid understanding of SoC architecture, coherency protocols, and power management. Brush up on your knowledge of AI, GPU, or CPU validation as this will be crucial in demonstrating your expertise during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Debugging Skills
Prepare to discuss specific examples of complex post-silicon issues you've resolved. Highlight your experience with debug tools and validation automation frameworks, as well as any large-scale validation clusters you've worked with.
✨Emphasise Collaboration
Graphcore values teamwork, so be ready to talk about how you've built trust and alignment across diverse teams. Share instances where your clear communication helped simplify complex problems and led to effective solutions.
✨Be Ready for Technical Challenges
Expect technical questions that test your problem-solving abilities. Practice articulating your thought process when tackling issues that span silicon, firmware, and platform interactions, as this will showcase your systems thinking.
