Principal Software Architect in Bristol
Principal Software Architect

Principal Software Architect in Bristol

Bristol Full-Time 72000 - 108000 ÂŁ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Define and drive the architectural vision for our software stack in AI technology.
  • Company: Join Graphcore, a leader in AI innovation and part of the SoftBank Group.
  • Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, private medical insurance, and a vibrant office culture.
  • Why this job: Shape the future of AI with cutting-edge technology and a collaborative team.
  • Qualifications: Expertise in firmware, ML frameworks, and excellent communication skills required.
  • Other info: Inclusive environment with a focus on continuous learning and career growth.

The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 ÂŁ 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.

Job Summary

We are looking for a Principal Architect to define and drive the architectural vision of the software stack for the Graphcore ML accelerator. In this role, you will shape the architecture of our software ecosystem and maintain a deep understanding of the product’s hardware and software components, their interfaces, and how they interact. You are an excellent communicator, and you proactively convey the software architecture. You bring a pragmatic, trade‑off‑aware approach to decision‑making, fully recognising the impact of architectural choices on product direction and engineering outcomes.

The Team

The software architecture team is responsible for defining, maintaining and communicating the overarching architecture of our software stack, from firmware to ML frameworks. The team works within the wider software organisation, partnering closely with engineering teams who deliver against this architectural vision.

Responsibilities And Duties

  • Define & document the software architecture of the software stack.
  • Work across different software domains to ensure a coherent end‑to‑end architecture.
  • Clearly communicate the software architecture to engineering teams.
  • Ensure teams understand key software architectural components, interfaces, and guiding principles.
  • Continuously maintain the software architecture as the product evolves and proactively communicate changes to relevant stakeholders.
  • Stay informed about trends and developments in the ML/software ecosystem.
  • Assess the architectural impact of new technologies.
  • Be aware of the usability, performance, reliability, maintainability, testability, security and observability constraints on the software architecture.
  • Prototype and validate architectural concepts through proof‑of‑concept implementations.
  • Contribute to future and/or related product definitions with a forward‑looking mindset, understanding and communicating the impact of future direction on software architecture.
  • Work with the HW and Silicon architects to ensure product needs of the software stack are met.
  • Ensure the software architecture meets the product requirements.
  • Work closely with engineering, product, leadership, and partners to ensure alignment between business goals and architectural direction.

Candidate Profile

Essential

  • Expertise in one or more of these technologies: Firmware, Drivers, ML frameworks (PyTorch, Triton, etc.), Collectives, HPC, Tooling, C & C++, CPU architectures.
  • Technical expertise in the ML accelerator software space.
  • Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
  • Collaborative mindset and ability to influence.
  • Pragmatic approach to decision making, being very aware of trade‑offs and implications.

Desirable

  • Demonstrable experience in a previous architecture role.

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.

Principal Software Architect in Bristol employer: graphcore

Graphcore is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters continuous learning and innovation in the cutting-edge field of Artificial Intelligence. Located in the vibrant city of Bristol, employees benefit from flexible working arrangements, generous leave policies, and comprehensive health plans, all while being part of a diverse team committed to inclusivity and collaboration. With ample opportunities for professional growth and a focus on employee wellbeing, Graphcore stands out as a rewarding place to advance your career in technology.
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Contact Detail:

graphcore Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Principal Software Architect in Bristol

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at Graphcore on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give us insider info and might even lead to a referral, which can seriously boost your chances.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for the interview by diving deep into Graphcore's tech stack. Familiarise yourself with their ML frameworks and software architecture. We want to see that you’re not just a fit on paper but also passionate about what we do!

✨Tip Number 3

Show off your communication skills! During interviews, clearly articulate your architectural vision and how it aligns with Graphcore’s goals. We love candidates who can convey complex ideas simply and effectively.

✨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 us you’re genuinely interested in joining the Graphcore family.

We think you need these skills to ace Principal Software Architect in Bristol

Software Architecture
Firmware Development
Driver Development
Machine Learning Frameworks (PyTorch, Triton)
High-Performance Computing (HPC)
C and C++ Programming
CPU Architectures
Communication Skills
Collaboration
Decision-Making
Technical Expertise in ML Accelerator Software
Prototyping and Proof-of-Concept Implementation
Understanding of Usability, Performance, Reliability, Maintainability, Testability, Security, and Observability

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience with software architecture and the specific technologies mentioned in the job description. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!

Show Off Your Communication Skills: Since excellent communication is key for this role, don’t shy away from showcasing your ability to convey complex ideas clearly. Use examples from your past experiences where you successfully communicated architectural concepts.

Highlight Your Collaborative Spirit: We love a team player! Share instances where you’ve worked closely with engineering teams or other stakeholders to achieve a common goal. This will show us that you can thrive in our collaborative environment.

Apply Through Our Website: For the best chance of success, make sure to apply directly through our website. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves!

How to prepare for a job interview at graphcore

✨Know Your Tech Inside Out

Make sure you have a solid grasp of the technologies mentioned in the job description, like firmware, ML frameworks, and C++. Brush up on your knowledge of how these components interact within a software stack, as you'll need to demonstrate your expertise during the interview.

✨Communicate Clearly

Since excellent communication skills are essential for this role, practice explaining complex architectural concepts in simple terms. You might be asked to convey your thoughts on software architecture, so being able to articulate your ideas clearly will set you apart.

✨Show Your Collaborative Spirit

Graphcore values collaboration, so be prepared to discuss examples of how you've worked with cross-functional teams in the past. Highlight your ability to influence others and align architectural decisions with business goals, as this will resonate well with the interviewers.

✨Stay Ahead of Trends

Keep yourself updated on the latest trends and developments in the ML/software ecosystem. Being knowledgeable about emerging technologies will not only impress your interviewers but also show that you're forward-thinking and ready to contribute to future product definitions.

Principal Software Architect in Bristol
graphcore
Location: Bristol

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