Principal SoC Architect

Graphcore; West of England; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Gym card

Pension matched up to 4%

Job summary

Graphcore is seeking a SoC Architect to lead architectural specification, integration and verification of high-performance silicon for AI acceleration platforms. You will collaborate with architecture, silicon design, verification, hardware and software teams to deliver advanced SoC subsystems.

The role requires deep expertise in complex silicon architectures, strong software development skills, and the ability to mentor engineers across disciplines.

Qualifications

• Degree in Electronic Engineering, Computer Science or related subject.
• Experience in technical specification of complex silicon SoC devices.
• Strong software development experience.
• Solid understanding of complex computer/SoC architecture.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Strong experience in writing and developing technical specifications.
• In-depth knowledge of RTL development and verification processes.
• Be a self-starter, able to motivate and support team members.
• Ability to work across teams and programming languages.
• Desirable: Architecture modelling in Python/C++/Rust.
• Experience of machine learning or massively parallel computing systems.
• Verilog knowledge.
• Knowledge of DDR, PCIe, Ethernet, on-chip networks.

Responsibilities

• Defines team infrastructure and processes.
• Distilling product requirements and their effects on SoC/platform design trade-offs.
• Collaborating with processor, SoC and system architects to determine optimal solutions.
• Providing technical knowledge in silicon design, verification and hardware engineering when required.
• Liaising with third party IP vendors for potential IP.
• Design and specification of performant SoC sub-systems and integrations.
• Manage queries for silicon bring-up, characterization and evaluation activities.
• Drive delivery and planning of technical objectives.
• Advise in planning for infrastructure and processes.
• Silicon Architecture Team representation within cross-functional groups.
• Mentor senior technical engineers.

Skills

Software development

SoC architecture

RTL design & verification

Technical specifications

Communication skills

Programming languages

Team mentoring

Python

C++/Rust

Education

Electronic Engineering

Computer Science

Related subject

Tools

Verilog

DDR

PCIe

Ethernet

Job description

About Graphcore

At Graphcore, we’re building the future of AI compute.We’re a team of semiconductor, software and AI experts, with deep experience in creating the complete AI compute stack - from silicon and software to infrastructure at datacenter scale.As part of the SoftBank Group, backed by significant long-term investment, we are delivering key technology into the fast-growing SoftBank AI ecosystem.To meet the vast and exciting AI opportunity, Graphcore is expanding its teams around the world.We are bringing together the brightest minds to solve the toughest problems, in a place where everyone has the opportunity to make an impact on the company, our products and the future of artificial intelligence.

Job Summary

Our team is at the forefront of the artificial intelligence revolution, enabling innovators from all industries and sectors to expand human potential with technology.The availability of specialised artificial intelligence compute will be a decisive factor in AI’s rate of progress.Graphcoreallows innovators to go further, faster.What we do really makes a difference. Reporting to the Director ofSilicon Architecture, the SoC Architectsareresponsible forthe design,specification,modellingand integrationof sub-systemswithincomplex,highperformanceand highly integrated silicondevicesat the forefront of AI acceleration technology. The role involvesclosecollaboration with othergroups, includingarchitecture,silicon design,verification,hardwareand softwareteams.

The Team

The Silicon Architecture Teamsits within theCOOgroup.The SoC architectsareresponsible forthe architectural specification,integration,modelling,validationand evaluationofnumerouscriticalsub-systems,including high-speed interfacesforourupcomingAI acceleration platforms.

Responsibilities and Duties

• Defines team infrastructure and processes

• Distillingproductrequirementsand their effects on SoC/platform design trade-offs

• Collaboratingwithprocessor, SoC and systemarchitectstodetermineoptimalsolutions

• When required,providing technical knowledgesilicon design,verification,and hardwareengineersto ensureimplementationcorrectness

• Good experiencepotentialhard and softthird-partyIPand liaising withthird party IP vendors

• Design and specification ofperformantSoC sub-systemsand their associated integrations

• Managesqueries for the silicon bring-up,characterisationand evaluationactivities asrequired

• Drives deliveryand planningof technical objectives

• Advise in planning for infrastructure and processes

• Silicon Architecture Team representation within cross-functional working groups

• Mentors' senior technical engineers

Candidate Profile

Essential:

• Degree inElectronic Engineering,ComputerScienceor related subject

• Experience in the technical specification of complex silicon SoC devices

• Strongsoftware development experience

• Solid understanding ofcomplex computer/SoCarchitecture

• Excellent communication skills

• Strongexperience in writingand developingtechnical specifications

• In depth knowledgeof RTL development and verification processes

• Beaself-starter,able to motivate and support teammembers

• Ability to work across teams and programming languages

Desirable

• Architecture modelling experience in Python/C++/Rust

• Experienceofmachine learning ormassively parallel computing systems

• Verilog

• Knowledge of one or more of DDR, PCIe, Ethernet, on-chip networks

Benefits

In addition to a competitive salary, annual leave policy, medical and dental health plans, a gym card and employee pension (matched up to 4%). We review our benefits on a yearly basis to ensure we offer a valuable and rewarding benefits programme to our employees. We welcome people of different backgrounds and experiences; we’re committed to building an inclusive work environment that makes Graphcore a great home for everyone. We offer an equal opportunity process and understand that there are visible and invisible differences in all of us. We can provide a flexible approach to interview and encourage you to chat to us if you require any reasonable adjustments.