Drivers QA

Graphcore; Cambridge; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

Generous leave

Retirement planning support

Phantom equity

Office spaces with free food and on‑is

on-site barista

Income protection

Life assurance

Private medical insurance

Job summary

Graphcore is seeking a Drivers QA engineer to validate low-level software connecting Graphcore products to real system use. You’ll shape test strategy, raise standards and own quality across hardware, firmware, drivers and higher-level software.

You will stay hands-on while guiding test infrastructure, coverage and best practices, collaborating with development, hardware, firmware, ML stack, Kubernetes and cloud teams to ensure production readiness and reliable driver releases.

Qualifications

• Deep experience validating Linux kernels and device drivers.
• Strong test development skills in C++ and Python.
• Experience with CI/CD, build tools and modern automated testing practices.
• Ability to debug complex cross-layer issues using hardware and software tools.
• Confidence shaping test strategy, infrastructure and coverage for production software.

Responsibilities

• Shape test strategy and raise engineering standards across hardware, firmware, drivers and software.
• Stay hands-on while guiding test infrastructure, coverage and best practices.
• Collaborate with development, hardware, firmware, ML stack, Kubernetes and cloud teams.
• Ensure quality is integrated, not an afterthought, and raise the bar across teams.
• Lead cross-stack validation and drive production readiness of driver releases.

Skills

Linux kernel validation

Device drivers validation

C++

Python

Test strategy

CI/CD

Debugging

Communication

Tools

Build tools

CI/CD tools

Job description

Your work will help ensure Graphcore's driver releases are reliable, robust and production ready. You will shape test strategy, raise engineering standards and solve issues across hardware, firmware, drivers and higher-level software.

You will stay deeply hands-on while guiding test infrastructure, coverage and best practice. This role is for someone who wants technical breadth, deep systems work and real ownership of quality.

The team and culture

The Drivers QA team validates the low-level software that connects Graphcore's products to real system use. Work spans component testing, system testing, user acceptance and cross-stack validation.

You will work closely with development, hardware, firmware, ML stack, Kubernetes and cloud management teams. Decisions are shaped through technical evidence, clear communication and direct ownership.

The team moves with purpose, but quality is never treated as an afterthought. You will be expected to speak up, take responsibility and help others raise the bar.

• Deep experience validating Linux kernels and/or device drivers
• Strong test development skills in C++ and Python
• Experience with CI/CD, build tools and modern automated testing practices
• Ability to debug complex cross-layer issues using hardware and software tools
• Confidence shaping test strategy, infrastructure and coverage for production software
• Clear communication skills, with the judgement to influence technical decisions across teams

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.

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.

• 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.