System Test Manager in Bristol

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. We are bringing together the brightest minds to solve the toughest problems, in a place where everyone has the opportunity to make an impact on the company, our products and the future of artificial intelligence.

Job Summary

As the Hardware System Test Engineering Manager, you will lead the Hardware System Test Team responsible for developing manufacturing test solutions for High Performance Modules (HPM), Server Blades, and Multi-node racks as part of the production assembly process. You will drive the creation of robust test executive software that sequences tests and integrates test content from multiple internal and external sources. You will guide the development of manufacturing test content and test fixtures informed by a deep understanding of silicon, board, and system design. Working cross-functionally with hardware, firmware, and software teams, you will ensure the right tools and functionality exist to efficiently validate product quality at scale.

The Team

The Product Test and Diagnosis team is responsible for identifying and diagnosing hardware defects introduced during the manufacturing process. The team defines, develops, and executes an end-to-end test strategy spanning silicon, board-level assemblies, server blades, and rack-scale systems. Testing is performed across the full product lifecycle, including manufacturing, and deployed field environments. Product Test and Diagnosis is part of the Manufacturing Operations organisation, which also comprises Manufacturing Technology, Supply Chain, and Quality teams. The group operates as a global team, with engineers based in the UK (Bristol and Cambridge), Taiwan, India, and the United States.

Responsibilities and Duties

• Lead and grow a multidisciplinary team of hardware and software test engineers delivering manufacturing test solutions for complex compute systems.
• Define the manufacturing test strategy and roadmap for High Performance Modules, Server Blades, and Multi-node racks.
• Own delivery of test executive software used in both manufacturing and lab environments to orchestrate test sequencing, logging, results aggregation, and integration of test content from diverse sources.
• Partner with internal software, firmware, and platform teams to ensure required hooks, diagnostics, telemetry, and APIs exist to enable effective manufacturing test.
• Establish best practices for test coverage, traceability, release management, and configuration control of test software and content.
• Implement metrics and dashboards for manufacturing test (yield, escapes, false fails, coverage, cycle time) and lead continuous improvement initiatives.
• Drive root-cause analysis of manufacturing failures and field returns, coordinating corrective actions across design, validation, and manufacturing engineering.
• Own the delivery of manufacturing test fixtures for High Performance Modules and Server Blades, including defining requirements, managing external subcontractors, and ensuring fixtures meet quality, cost, schedule, and production readiness needs.
• Ensure test solutions are scalable, maintainable, and production-ready, including documentation, training, and support processes for factory deployment.
• Support supplier/contract manufacturing engagements as needed, including test station readiness, deployment qualification, and ongoing production support.

Candidate Profile

• Experience developing manufacturing test solutions for high-performance servers, accelerators (GPU-class), or comparable large scale compute hardware.
• Demonstrated people leadership experience managing a mixed hardware/software engineering team (hiring, coaching, performance management, and team development).
• Deep technical understanding across silicon, board, and system design sufficient to define effective manufacturing test coverage and guide debug/root-cause analysis.
• Strong cross-functional collaboration skills, with experience driving requirements and delivery with internal software/firmware/platform teams to enable testability.
• Hands-on experience using Linux, OpenBMC, and vendor specific test tools, diagnostics, and system-level utilities to test hardware in lab and manufacturing environments.
• Experience with scripting languages such as Python, Bash, or similar.
• Familiarity with rack-scale/multi-node systems, high-speed interconnects, and production qualification of complex assemblies.
• Experience improving manufacturing KPIs (yield, test time, false fail reduction) through data-driven process and test optimization.
• Knowledge of open-source tools commonly used for manufacturing test.

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.