Silicon Characterisation Engineer Bristol, UK

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.

We are looking for a Characterisation and Bring‑Up engineer to work with Architecture, Silicon Engineering, Hardware Engineering, Operations (device manufacture) and Product teams to help create and execute the bring‑up and characterisation of our cutting‑edge silicon devices and system platforms. Your role will be to create and execute bring‑up and characterisation plans of our silicon devices in systems to show that they will operate correctly over all conditions in the final product. You will concentrate on automated and manual testing of systems in the lab and datacentre.

Responsibilities and Duties

• Understand the architecture and design of silicon devices and systems, and clearly document the requirements for characterisation.
• Creation of product specific characterisation plans.
• Liasing with engineering teams to understand what tests are available for characterisation purposes and driving change where appropriate.
• Create and maintain an automated system for running characterisation testing, capturing the results to a central database and performing data analysis.
• Execution of manual characterisation tests where automation is not appropriate.
• Report regularly on progress and issues during the characterisation.
• Produce characterisation reports containing platform test results and feeding them up into the overall product characterisation report.

Candidate Profile

• A proven track record of delivering technical output, perhaps as an individual contributor, manager, or project manager.
• Solid experience and understanding of silicon digital device design characterisation.
• Knowledge of silicon process technology and how that impacts device performance at transistor and system level.
• Knowledge of high‑performance processor and system‑on‑chip systems.
• Experience of high‑speed digital interfaces, such as PCIe, Ethernet or DDR.
• Knowledge of measurement automation and data analysis.
• The ability to code or script automation and data analysis using appropriate coding languages such as Python, JMP for example.
• An ability to work independently without daily oversight.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent practical experience.
• Knowledge of PCBA and system level technologies.
• Background knowledge of ATE systems and capabilities.

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 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.