At a Glance
- Tasks: Join us to develop high-performance ML kernels for cutting-edge AI hardware.
- Company: Graphcore, a leader in AI innovation and part of the SoftBank Group.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, competitive salary, health plans, and generous leave policies.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in AI while collaborating with experts in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Degree in Computer Science or related field; experience in C/C++ is a plus.
- Other info: Inclusive culture with excellent career growth opportunities and a focus on continuous learning.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
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.
Job Summary
We are looking for a Graduate Software Engineer to join a team pioneering the development of high-performance machine learning (ML) kernels for a new generation of AI hardware. In this role, you will contribute to building optimised compute kernels that support a wide range of ML operators—powering applications from convolutional neural networks (CNNs) to large language models (LLMs). You'll leverage low-level programming and hardware-aware optimisation techniques to extract maximum performance and efficiency from modern accelerators. This is a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of ML, numerical computing, and scalable systems.
The Team
This is an exciting opportunity to join an expanding team at Graphcore. The Kernel Engineering team is responsible for delivering high performance compute library to help customers gain the maximum performance from AI hardware.
Responsibilities and Duties
- Supporting the design and implementation of kernels for linear algebra and tensor ops (GEMM, batched GEMM, convolutions, reductions, elementwise and fused operations) in C++
- Profile and optimise for the next generation of AI hardware - threading, cache locality, memory layout, and kernel launch efficiency.
- Support performance and correctness - add microbenchmarks, regression tests, numerics validation
- Debug issues, resolve bugs and generally improve the quality and functionality of the product
About you
You are open-minded and collaborative with interests in performance optimisation and memory-efficient designs, and you are looking to join a team of experts. You are comfortable to discuss technical tradeoffs, receive feedback and iterate on solutions and you are drawn to technically challenging problems and use analytical reasoning to navigate unfamiliar domains.
Bachelor or Master’s Degree in Computer Science, Maths, Machine Learning, Data Science, or related field
Experience in C/C++11.
Familiarity with Python or scripting tools for automation and testing.
Understanding of linear algebra, numerical methods, or scientific computing.
Good problem-solving skills and ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.
Preferred Qualifications
- Courseworks or past experience in using ML frameworks, parallel programming, or code optimisation.
- Exposure to math libraries such as MKL or OpenBLAS.
- Knowledge of performance analysis tools.
What we offer
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.
Diversity & Recruitment Data
We take pride in our commitment to creating an inclusive and diverse workplace. As part of our recruitment process, we ask for confidential diversity data from all applicants. This data will be anonymised so that no personal identification information will be collected, and is retained for statistical purposes only and is not attached to your application. Your responses to the following three questions will remain confidential and will not impact or be used in any way in regards to your application. We are only using this data to improve our hiring process to be inclusive of all diversity backgrounds.
2026 Graduate Software Engineer - ML Kernels & Runtime Team Bristol, UK employer: graphcore
Contact Detail:
graphcore Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land 2026 Graduate Software Engineer - ML Kernels & Runtime Team Bristol, UK
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees at Graphcore on LinkedIn or other platforms. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for landing a role in the ML Kernels & Runtime Team.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for technical interviews by brushing up on your C++ skills and understanding linear algebra concepts. Practice coding challenges that focus on performance optimisation and memory management to impress the interviewers.
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion for AI and machine learning! During interviews, share any personal projects or coursework related to ML frameworks or parallel programming. This will demonstrate your commitment and enthusiasm for the field.
✨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 genuinely interested in joining the Graphcore team.
We think you need these skills to ace 2026 Graduate Software Engineer - ML Kernels & Runtime Team Bristol, UK
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the role of Graduate Software Engineer. Highlight your experience with C/C++ and any relevant coursework or projects related to machine learning and performance optimisation. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about AI and how your background makes you a great fit for our ML Kernels & Runtime Team. Be genuine and let your personality come through – we love to see enthusiasm!
Showcase Relevant Projects: If you've worked on any projects that involve linear algebra, numerical methods, or even ML frameworks, make sure to mention them. We’re keen on seeing how you’ve applied your knowledge in practical scenarios, so don’t hold back!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our company culture there!
How to prepare for a job interview at graphcore
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your C++ skills and understand linear algebra concepts. Graphcore is looking for someone who can discuss technical trade-offs, so be prepared to talk about your past experiences with performance optimisation and memory-efficient designs.
✨Show Your Problem-Solving Skills
Be ready to tackle some technical challenges during the interview. Practice explaining your thought process when solving problems, especially those related to ML kernels or numerical computing. This will demonstrate your analytical reasoning and ability to navigate unfamiliar domains.
✨Ask Smart Questions
Prepare insightful questions about the team and the projects they’re working on. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you understand how you can contribute to their goals. Plus, it’s a great way to engage with the interviewers and make a lasting impression.
✨Be Open to Feedback
Graphcore values collaboration and iteration, so be open-minded when discussing your ideas. Show that you can take constructive criticism and use it to improve your solutions. This attitude will resonate well with the team and highlight your willingness to learn and grow.