Hardware Validation & Debug Engineer

Graphcore; West of England; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

Generous leave

Pension matching

Phantom equity

Office amenities with on-site barista

Job summary

Graphcore seeks a Validation and Debug Engineer to prove silicon and platforms under real product conditions. You will own hands-on validation focusing on SerDes, PCIe Root Complex and Ethernet, tuning links and turning lab findings into concrete engineering decisions.

You will work with Architecture, Silicon, Hardware and Firmware teams to drive bring-up, debug issues and deliver data-driven decisions, with a culture of ownership and fast problem solving.

Qualifications

• Strong hands-on hardware validation experience in lab bring-up and subsystem debugging.
• Experience validating Ethernet, PCIe Root Complex and SerDes systems.
• Proficient use of lab instrumentation including oscilloscopes and protocol analyzers.
• Ability to diagnose signal integrity and protocol-level issues to root cause.
• Proven capability to drive issue resolution across multiple teams.

Responsibilities

• Own hands-on validation and debug in the lab focusing on SerDes, PCIe and Ethernet.
• Tune links, investigate failures and translate lab findings into engineering decisions.
• Drive bring-up and debugging with Architecture, Silicon and Firmware teams.
• Communicate clearly and push for data-driven decisions across groups.

Skills

Hardware validation

Ethernet validation

PCIe Root Complex

SerDes debugging

Lab instrumentation

LTSSM analysis

Interoperability testing

Independent work

Tools

Oscilloscopes

BERT systems

VNA/TDR equipment

PCIe protocol analyzers

Job description

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.

• 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.