Principal Board Test Engineer

AI Startups UK; West of England; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

Generous leave

Pension support

Private medical insurance

Dental cover

Job summary

Graphcore is seeking a Principal Board Test Engineer to lead advanced manufacturing test strategy for complex Circuit Card Assemblies. You will shape defect coverage, diagnostic resolution and production quality across test architectures and manufacturing partners.

You will design and direct test strategies across boundary scan, ICT, optical/X-ray and functional tests, turning complex issues into clear decisions for engineering, suppliers and CEM partners.

Qualifications

• Deep expertise in manufacturing test for advanced, high-complexity Circuit Card Assemblies.
• Strong knowledge of electronics fundamentals, CCA manufacturing processes and defect mechanisms.
• Expertise in JTAG 1149.x boundary scan, iJTAG and embedded or processor-controlled functional test.
• Experience architecting, programming and debugging bed-of-nails MDA/ICT and board-level test systems.
• Capability to define test methods, evaluation frameworks and technical criteria independently.
• Strong influence across engineering disciplines, suppliers and manufacturing partners.

Responsibilities

• Lead advanced manufacturing test strategy for complex Circuit Card Assemblies.
• Shape defect coverage, diagnostic resolution and production quality.
• Define methods, evaluation criteria and technical approaches for PTD.
• Design and direct test strategies across optical, X-ray, ICT, boundary scan and functional test.
• Turn complex issues into clear decisions for engineering, suppliers and CEM partners.
• This senior role includes owning direction, mentoring engineers and building stronger test capability.

Skills

Manufacturing test

Circuit Card Assemblies

JTAG boundary scan (1149.x)

iJTAG

Functional test (embedded/processor)

MDA/ICT bed-of-nails

Test methods & criteria

Influence across eng. & suppliers

Job description

About the job

Define how Graphcore tests complex hardware before it reaches production and the field.

As Principal Board Test Engineer, you will lead advanced manufacturing test strategy for complex Circuit Card Assemblies. You will shape how Graphcore improves defect coverage, diagnostic resolution and production quality.

Your work will influence products, test architectures and manufacturing partners. You will define methods, evaluation criteria and technical approaches that help PTD move faster with confidence.

You will design and direct test strategies across optical inspection, X-ray inspection, in-circuit test, boundary scan and functional test. You will turn complex issues into clear decisions for engineering, suppliers and CEM partners.

This is a senior technical role with real ownership. You will set direction, mentor engineers and help Graphcore build stronger test capability for future products.

The Team and Culture

The Product Test and Diagnosis team detects, diagnoses and manages hardware defects across chips, boards and full systems. The team works close to design, manufacturing, silicon, software and systems engineering.

Work moves through hands-on investigation, clear technical judgement and direct ownership. You will be expected to act fast, speak up and take responsibility for test strategy decisions.

Decisions are shaped by evidence, design intent and manufacturing reality. You will help the team think big, challenge assumptions and raise engineering standards across disciplines.

What we’re looking for

• Deep expertise in manufacturing test for advanced, high-complexity Circuit Card Assemblies.
• Strong knowledge of electronics fundamentals, CCA manufacturing processes and defect mechanisms.
• Expertise in JTAG 1149.x boundary scan, iJTAG and embedded or processor-controlled functional test.
• Experience architecting, programming and debugging bed-of-nails MDA/ICT and board-level test systems.
• Capability to define test methods, evaluation frameworks and technical criteria independently.
• Strong influence across engineering disciplines, suppliers and manufacturing partners.

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.

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 shape how complex Graphcore hardware is tested, diagnosed and delivered into production, we’d love to hear from you.