Lead Lab Support Engineer Bristol, UK

Lead Lab Support Engineer Bristol, UK

Bristol Full-Time 60000 - 80000 € / year (est.) No home office possible
graphcore

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead IT support for Engineering Labs and manage a team of Lab Support Engineers.
  • Company: Join Graphcore, a pioneering company in AI compute backed by SoftBank.
  • Benefits: Flexible work environment, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
  • Other info: Inclusive culture with a focus on collaboration and continuous improvement.
  • Why this job: Be at the forefront of AI technology and make a real impact on innovative projects.
  • Qualifications: Experience in IT support, Linux and Windows systems, and strong problem-solving skills.

The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 € per year.

At Graphcore, we’re building the future of AI compute. We’re 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 are delivering 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.

As a Lead Lab Support Engineer at Graphcore, you will serve as the technical lead providing IT support to Engineering Labs and Silicon development projects. This includes bring-ups and testing in hybrid Linux and Windows environments. You will deliver reliable, scalable, and high-quality services to internal customers, partners, and collaborators. You will also lead a small team of Lab Support Engineers and encourage a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Working alongside Project Managers, engineering teams, and interested parties, you will build and deploy scalable workflows. You must ensure IT support for Engineering Labs keeps pace with the organisation’s evolving requirements. At first, this role requires direct involvement in daily support, configuration, and onboarding activities while forming the Lab Support team and setting up scalable processes.

The Team You’ll be joining a multidisciplinary team with strong technical skills and a very encouraging culture. We work closely together and regularly share knowledge, and your skills will make a direct impact on our business. It’s an exciting and pivotal moment for us right now, with plenty of new projects ahead. If you're looking to solve interesting problems and see your work deliver real-world results, this is the team for you.

Responsibilities and Duties

  • Logging and solving support requests face‑to‑face & via ticketing system
  • Ensure high‑quality L1 & L2 support through effective triage, prioritization, and allocation of tickets
  • Establish, manage, and consistently refine the Lab Support service, covering standards, processes, and governance
  • Serve as the primary point of escalation and decision‑making for IT service delivery
  • Handling and providing support for Linux‑based systems
  • Handling and maintaining Windows‑based systems
  • Managing a fleet of servers, helping Hardware Lab teams with daily activities, tools and packages installation, platform configuration via Configuration Management systems
  • Installing and troubleshooting servers, hardware maintenance, fault finding
  • Detailing solutions and maintaining a clear, up‑to‑date internal knowledge base.

Excellent communication and customer service skills are essential, along with a good understanding of troubleshooting principles and methodical problem‑solving. Good Windows administration skills, Active Directory domain joining, policies, and good networking skills such as VLANs, VPNs, Wi‑Fi, routing, subnetting are required. Familiarity with desktop and server hardware, BMCs, Out‑of‑Band networks, firmware & BIOS upgrades, PDU, rack mounts is also important.

Experience in managing Infrastructure‑as‑Code using Puppet, Ansible, or similar via Git, understanding of authentication services such as LDAP, Radius, and experience in managing web servers, load-balancers, reverse‑proxies (e.g.: ha‑proxy, nginx) is beneficial. Additionally, experience with identifying network/storage/CPU/RAM bottlenecks across complex workloads, various monitoring solutions and stack (e.g. Zabbix/Prometheus/Grafana Mimir/Open Telemetry), and proficiency with containerisation frameworks and orchestration (e.g.: Docker/containerd/Kubernetes) is expected.

Python programming skills, with the ability to write code to interact with APIs, process data, and build small applications are also required.

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.

Lead Lab Support Engineer Bristol, UK employer: graphcore

Graphcore is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Bristol where innovation thrives. As part of the SoftBank Group, we provide our employees with significant growth opportunities and the chance to work on cutting-edge AI technology alongside a multidisciplinary team. Our culture fosters collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement, ensuring that every team member can make a meaningful impact on the future of artificial intelligence.

graphcore

Contact Detail:

graphcore Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Lead Lab Support Engineer 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 your application process. It’s all about making connections!

Tip Number 2

Prepare for the interview by diving deep into Graphcore's projects and technologies. Familiarise yourself with their AI compute stack and think of how your skills can contribute. Show them you’re not just another candidate, but someone who’s genuinely interested in their mission.

Tip Number 3

Practice your problem-solving skills! Since the role involves troubleshooting and technical support, consider doing mock interviews or coding challenges that reflect the kind of issues you might face as a Lead Lab Support Engineer.

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 serious about joining the team at Graphcore.

We think you need these skills to ace Lead Lab Support Engineer Bristol, UK

Technical Leadership
IT Support
Linux Administration
Windows Administration
Configuration Management
Problem-Solving Skills
Customer Service Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Lead Lab Support Engineer role. Highlight your experience with Linux and Windows systems, as well as any relevant IT support roles you've held. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!

Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills:In your application, give examples of how you've tackled complex technical issues in the past. We love candidates who can demonstrate methodical problem-solving and a proactive approach to challenges.

Be Clear and Concise:When writing your cover letter, keep it clear and to the point. We appreciate straightforward communication, so make sure to express your enthusiasm for the role and how you can contribute to our team.

Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step!

How to prepare for a job interview at graphcore

Know Your Tech Inside Out

As a Lead Lab Support Engineer, you'll need to be well-versed in both Linux and Windows environments. Brush up on your troubleshooting skills and be ready to discuss specific scenarios where you've successfully resolved technical issues. This will show your depth of knowledge and problem-solving abilities.

Showcase Your Leadership Skills

Since this role involves leading a small team, be prepared to share examples of how you've fostered collaboration and accountability in previous positions. Think about times when you’ve motivated your team or improved processes, as this will demonstrate your capability to lead effectively.

Understand the Company Culture

Graphcore values collaboration and continuous improvement. Research their projects and culture, and be ready to discuss how your personal values align with theirs. This will help you connect with the interviewers and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.

Prepare Questions That Matter

Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare insightful questions about the team's current challenges or future projects. This not only shows your enthusiasm for the role but also gives you a chance to assess if the company is the right fit for you.