Hardware Development Engineer
Graphcore is hiring a Hardware Development Engineer in Bristol, United Kingdom. Level rates it ; you can apply on Graphcore.
Level's read on this job
- Works on AI ●●●○ is how Level rates this role: the daily work is on AI products, without building the model.
- The posting mentions Python, Bash and Linux among its tools and skills.
- Level classes it as a mid-level role.
- Graphcore has 214 other open roles on Level.
AI in this role
Design and validate hardware systems and test platforms for AI processors, working closely with silicon and firmware teams.
About the job
Build the hardware that turns new AI processors into working systems.
As a Hardware Development Engineer, you will design circuit solutions for Graphcore processor systems and validation platforms. You will turn system requirements into schematics, layout constraints, and testable hardware.
Your work will shape production systems and test boards used across development, validation, and customer enablement. You will help prove performance, margin, and reliability before designs move into volume production.
Alongside silicon, architecture, software and PCB CAD specialists, you will make design decisions grounded in evidence. You will define validation plans, run lab campaigns, debug prototypes, and interpret results with firmware and architecture teams.
This role suits someone who likes owning problems from first schematic to mass production readiness. Few roles connect board design, bring-up, validation, and production so directly.
The team and culture
Hardware Engineering builds production systems and test hardware around Graphcore processors. The team works close to silicon, architecture, firmware, software, and PCB CAD from the first requirement onwards.
Engineers own designs through definition, schematic capture, layout support, bring-up, validation, and production transfer. Work moves quickly because problems are handled close to the lab, not passed between silos.
The team makes decisions through evidence: measurements, design reviews, margin data, and open technical challenge. You will speak up, take responsibility, and help the team move with confidence.
What we're looking for
· Strong digital circuit design and validation skills, including DCDC regulators, power delivery, resets, clocks, and control interfaces.
· Experience developing processor-based systems and working with interfaces such as Ethernet, PCIe, DDR, USB, QSPI and JTAG.
· Practical lab depth in bring-up, debug, margin testing, and validation using oscilloscopes, logic analysers and signal generators.
· Ability to script tests and analyse results using Linux, Python, Bash and Excel.
· Understanding of server architecture, such as BMC, NIC and SSD, with SERDES experience adding further value.
· Ownership mindset, clear communication, and the confidence to challenge, decide, and work across disciplines.
While we have outlined a set of requirements, we value transferable skills and diverse experiences. If you meet most of our essential criteria, we encourage you to submit an application and showcase how your background makes you a strong candidate.
Benefits
· 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
· 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.
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.
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 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 brings together deep expertise to solve complex problems and deliver meaningful progress in AI compute.
Ready to build the systems that prove Graphcore processors in the lab and beyond? Apply now to join the Hardware Engineering team.
How we rate this
Hardware Development Engineer at Graphcore rates 65 out of 100 for how much of the daily work is AI. That makes it Works on AI (AI Level 3 of 4). The level is about AI in the job, not seniority.
Works on AI. The daily work is on AI products, without building the model.
- ●●●● Builds AI80 to 100
- ●●●○ Works on AI60 to 79
- ●●○○ Uses AI40 to 59
- ●○○○ Little AI0 to 39
Levels come from how often the tools, models and workflows of the role are named in the posting itself. Read the description and count the AI tools, models and workflows it names.
Prepare for this job
Built from this posting and from similar jobs on Level.
Skills and AI tools this role asks for
Questions you could be asked
- Tell me about a research question you investigated. What did you find?
- Tell me about a project where hardware design was part of your work. What did you do?
- Tell me about a project where schematic capture was part of your work. What did you do?
- Tell me about a project where pcb cad was part of your work. What did you do?
- Tell me about a project where bring up was part of your work. What did you do?
Adapt your resume
- List these exact terms on your resume: AI Research, Hardware Design, Schematic Capture, Pcb CAD, and Bring Up. An applicant tracking system matches the wording, not the idea.
- Attach one line of real, concrete experience to at least one of them. A tool named with nothing behind it rarely survives a human read.
- Show where AI is part of your daily process, not a one-off project. This role expects it to be a running habit.
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