At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the system software team to transform complex hardware into reliable Graphcore systems.
- Company: Join Graphcore, a leader in AI compute innovation and part of the SoftBank Group.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, and a tailored benefits package.
- Other info: Inclusive culture welcoming diverse backgrounds and experiences.
- Why this job: Shape the future of AI technology while leading a dynamic engineering organisation.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in system software and experience managing technical teams.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
Lead the system software organisation that turns complex hardware platforms into reliable Graphcore systems.
As Director of System Software, you will report to the VP of Software and turn software strategy into clear priorities, plans and outcomes.
You will lead the teams delivering firmware, drivers, Open BMC and system software QA.
Your work will shape platform bring-up, production release and long-term support across Graphcore systems.
You will align technical decisions with business priorities, delivery milestones and product readiness.
You will build a strong engineering organisation, developing managers, technical leaders and engineers.
You will own execution, quality and cross-functional delivery across hardware, silicon, software and product teams.
This is a role for a leader who can think big, act fast and take responsibility for complex system outcomes.
The team and culture
System Software works close to the hardware, where small decisions can shape product reliability at scale.
The team operates through clear ownership, evidence-based planning and direct technical debate.
You will lead managers and specialists across firmware, drivers, Open BMC and QA.
Decisions are made through engineering judgement, clear trade-offs and a strong focus on delivery impact.
You will be expected to speak up, challenge assumptions and help resolve issues across hardware and software boundaries.
Pace matters, but so do maintainability, security and long term quality.
- What we’re looking for
- A strong track record leading system software teams across closely coupled hardware and software programmes.
- Experience managing managers or multiple technical teams, with clear ownership of delivery outcomes.
- Proven ability to build, coach and develop engineering leaders through change and technical uncertainty.
- Strong judgement across planning, resourcing, dependencies, risk and production release readiness.
- Experience embedding validation, automated testing, hardware-in-the-loop testing and clear release criteria.
- Credible technical breadth across firmware, drivers, Open BMC, QA or related low-level software domains.
While we have outlined a set of requirements, we value transferable skills and diverse experiences.
We also welcome engineers returning to the profession after a career break, including through returnship routes.
- Flexible working: Balance your work and personal life with greater flexibility
- Generous leave: Take time to rest, recharge and enjoy life outside of work
- Retirement planning support: Up to 5% matched pension
- Phantom equity: Share in Graphcore’s success
- Workplace experience: Enjoy thoughtfully designed office spaces for collaboration, with free food and an on-site barista to support your day
- Peace of mind protection: Income protection and life assurance to provide financial security for you and your loved ones
- Electric Vehicle Scheme: Choose an electric vehicle and lease it through salary sacrifice
- Flexible benefits: Tailor your benefits package with a choice of additional options, including private medical insurance and dental cover
- Optional benefits: Dental cover, health cash plan, private medical insurance, cycle to work scheme, give as you earn
We welcome people from all backgrounds and experiences and are committed to building an inclusive environment where everyone can do their best work.
We’re an equal opportunity employer and recognise that everyone brings different strengths and perspectives.
If you need any adjustments during the interview process, just let us know - we’re happy to support you.
Join the Team at 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 Soft Bank 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 brings together deep expertise to solve complex problems and deliver meaningful progress in AI compute.
If you want to lead the system software organisation behind Graphcore’s next generation platforms, we’d love to hear from you.
Sponsorship
Applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide visa sponsorship or support visa applications for this role.
UK Demographic Data
We take pride in our commitment to creating an inclusive and diverse workplace.
As part of our recruitment process, we ask for confidential diversity data from all applicants.
This data will be anonymised so that no personal identification information will be collected, and is retained for statistical purposes only and is not attached to your application.
Your responses to the following three questions will remain confidential and will not impact or be used in any way in regards to your application.
We are only using this data to improve our hiring process to be inclusive of all diversity backgrounds.
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Senior Director, System Software Bristol, UK employer: graphcore
Graphcore is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that fosters continuous learning and innovation in the heart of London. With a commitment to inclusivity and employee well-being, we provide flexible working arrangements, comprehensive benefits including private medical insurance and generous parental leave, and opportunities for professional growth within a cutting-edge AI environment. Join us to be part of a transformative journey in AI technology, where your contributions will directly impact the future of intelligent computing.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Director, System Software Bristol, UK
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We think you need these skills to ace Senior Director, System Software Bristol, UK
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your coding skills:When applying for a software engineering role, it's super important to showcase your coding skills. Make sure your CV includes your tech stack, any relevant programming languages you’re comfortable with, and examples of projects you've worked on. If you have a GitHub profile, link it up! We love to see code in action.
Tailor your portfolio:For a full-time role, we’d expect to see some solid examples of your work in your portfolio. Make sure to include at least two or three projects that highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to work with different technologies. Focus on the projects that are most relevant to the position at graphcore.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at graphcore and how your skills align with the role. Show us your passion for software development. We dig enthusiastic candidates who understand the value of collaboration and continuous learning!
Be clear and concise:When it comes to writing your CV and cover letter, clarity is key. Avoid jargon that could confuse us and stick to simple, direct language. Highlight your achievements with quantifiable results where possible, and keep everything easy to read. A well-organised application goes a long way!
How to prepare for a job interview at graphcore
✨Brush Up on Your Coding Skills
For a full-time software engineering role, it's crucial that we stay sharp with our coding abilities. Expect technical questions that might involve solving problems on the spot or discussing algorithms. Practise on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get comfortable with the types of questions that often come up.
✨Know Your Tools and Frameworks
Make sure we’re well-acquainted with the tools and technologies listed in the job description. Familiarise ourselves with any specific frameworks or programming languages mentioned. If graphcore uses React or Node.js, for instance, be ready to discuss how we’ve used them in previous projects or coursework.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Bring along a portfolio that highlights our best work. This could be code samples, GitHub repositories, or any side projects we’ve built. Make sure we can talk through our thought process for each project, especially the challenges we faced and how we solved them—this shows our problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
While technical skills are key, full-time positions also require cultural fit. Be ready to discuss our previous experiences and how we handle teamwork, conflict, and deadlines. Brush up on the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to clearly articulate our past experiences when discussing how we've contributed to a team.
