Director /Head of Quality in Bristol

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About Graphcore: Graphcore is building the future of AI compute. We are a team of semiconductor, software, and AI experts with deep experience in creating the complete AI compute stack—from silicon and software to infrastructure at datacentre scale. As part of the SoftBank Group, backed by significant long‑term investment, we deliver key technology into the fast‑growing SoftBank AI ecosystem. To meet the vast and exciting AI opportunity, Graphcore is expanding its teams around the world, bringing together the brightest minds to solve the toughest problems in an environment where everyone can make an impact on the company, its products, and the future of artificial intelligence.

Job Summary: We are seeking an outstanding Quality/Operations professional with deep experience in semiconductor, systems development, and manufacturing industries. The ideal candidate will be hands‑on, comfortable with ambiguity, and able to manage multiple projects and stakeholders simultaneously. With a desire to learn and lead in a technically challenging, fast‑paced environment, you will have exposure to all aspects of the business and contribute to the effectiveness of a high‑performing technology company developing the world’s most advanced AI systems and services.

The Team: You will be working within the Manufacturing Operations organization to lead the Graphcore Quality Team, which delivers outstanding customer experience and champions sustainable excellence throughout Graphcore. You will be responsible for customer, supply‑chain, and product quality, as well as organizational compliance, governance, and assurance. You will lead a diverse team of experts in these domains based in our Bristol, Cambridge (UK), and Hsinchu (Taiwan) offices.

The Role:

• Lead all aspects of supplier quality management (including audits, quality assessments, QBRs, and problem solving).
• Lead all aspects of product quality management (including reliability assessment and measurement, etc.).
• Lead all aspects of customer quality management (including QBRs, managing returns triage, 8D problem solving).
• Ensure internal quality processes are fit for purpose for Graphcore and set up to support growth in the business.
• Accountable for providing insight and assurance to Graphcore leadership across our Quality, Security/Privacy, Health & Safety, and Business Continuity domains.
• Establish strong partnerships with all engineering functions across development programs.
• Grow and mentor the Quality team in the UK and Asia.
• Manage and develop chip and system level quality techniques, methods, and assessments.

Candidate Profile:

• Very experienced with semiconductor industry and hyperscaler customer quality needs.
• Experience leading a team in a complex, deep‑tech development environment.
• Systematic approach to operations and problem solving.
• Strong coaching skills to further develop rigorous problem‑solving capabilities.
• First‑class communicator at all levels of the business.
• Highly developed ability to build relationships and lead with integrity.
• Degree/post‑graduate level qualifications in Electronics, Physics, or equivalent.

Benefits: In addition to a competitive salary, Graphcore offers flexible working, a generous annual leave policy, private medical insurance and a 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 (including health, mental wellbeing, and bereavement support). We offer a range of healthy food and snacks at our central Bristol office and 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.