Hardware Development Engineer

Location: Bristol, UK

Department: HW Circuit Design

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.