Hardware Validation & Debug Engineer

Graphcore is hiring a Hardware Validation & Debug Engineer in Bristol, United Kingdom. Level rates it ; you can apply on Graphcore.

Level's read on this job

Builds AI ●●●● is how Level rates this role: the job is building AI systems.
Tools and skills the posting cites include Oscilloscope, Bert and Vna.
Level classifies it as a mid-level role.
Level lists 196 other open roles at Graphcore.

AI in this role

Validate and debug high-speed interfaces for advanced AI systems.

OscilloscopeBertVna

ai-researchhardware-validationdebugserdespcieethernet

About the job

Debug the high-speed interfaces that decide whether advanced AI systems perform in the real world.

As a Validation and Debug Engineer, you will help prove Graphcore silicon and platforms work across real product conditions. You will build deep knowledge of our devices, boards and system behaviour.

You will own hands-on validation and debug in the lab, focused on SerDes, PCIe Root Complex and Ethernet. Your work will help resolve complex issues across silicon, hardware, firmware and architecture teams.

This role is for someone who enjoys getting close to the hardware. You will tune links, investigate failures and turn difficult lab findings into clear engineering decisions.

The team and culture

You will work closely with Architecture, Silicon Engineering, Hardware Engineering and Firmware. Progress comes through practical evidence, clear communication and fast problem solving.

The team expects ownership without daily oversight. You will drive bring-up, debug issues and help teams reach decisions based on data.

You will be trusted to speak up when something is unclear or risky. The best ideas can come from anyone close to the problem.

What we’re looking for

· Strong hands-on hardware validation experience, including board bring-up and subsystem debug
· Experience validating and debugging Ethernet, PCIe Root Complex and SerDes systems
· Confident use of lab instrumentation, including oscilloscopes, BERT systems, VNA/TDR equipment and PCIe protocol analysers
· Ability to debug signal integrity, protocol-level and interface issues through to root cause
· Experience with PCIe bring-up, LTSSM analysis, link training, equalization tuning and interoperability testing
· Ability to work independently, take responsibility and drive issue resolution across teams

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.

If you want to help validate the hardware foundations of next-generation AI compute, we’d love to hear from you. Apply now to join Graphcore.

How we rate this

Hardware Validation & Debug Engineer at Graphcore rates 85 out of 100 for how much of the daily work is AI. That makes it Builds AI (AI Level 4 of 4). The level is about AI in the job, not seniority.

Classification

Builds AI. The job is building AI systems.

●●●● 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.

Key facts

Hardware Validation & Debug Engineer is an open job at Graphcore.
Level rates this role AI Level 4 of 4: Builds AI.
The role is based in Bristol, UK.
The job was posted on September 29, 2026.
Seniority: mid.
Applications are handled by Graphcore. Apply on Graphcore

Prepare for this job

Built from this posting and from similar jobs on Level.

Skills and AI tools this role asks for

AI ResearchHardware ValidationDebugSerdesPcieEthernetOscilloscopeBert

Questions you could be asked

Tell me about a research question you investigated. What did you find?
Tell me about a project where hardware validation was part of your work. What did you do?
Tell me about a project where debug was part of your work. What did you do?
Tell me about a project where serdes was part of your work. What did you do?
Tell me about a project where pcie was part of your work. What did you do?

Adapt your resume

List these exact terms on your resume: AI Research, Hardware Validation, Debug, Serdes, and Pcie. 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.
Lead with what you built, trained or shipped. This role is judged on the AI system itself, not the tools around it.

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