Senior Software Engineer

Graphcore Early Careers; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

Generous leave

Pension matching (up to 5%)

Phantom equity

On-site barista and free food

Income protection & life assurance

Private medical insurance & dental

Job summary

Graphcore is seeking a Staff System Software Engineer in Test in Cambridge to own the quality gate for the drivers powering its next-generation AI systems. You will design, build and run tests for complex Linux device drivers, user-space libraries and platform tools, shaping test strategy and driving engineering standards.

You’ll stay hands-on while guiding test infrastructure and coverage, working across hardware, firmware, drivers and higher-level software to ensure production-ready releases.

Qualifications

• Deep experience validating Linux kernels and/or device drivers.
• Proficient in C++ and Python for test development.
• 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 and ability to influence technical decisions across teams.

Responsibilities

• Own the quality gate for Linux device drivers, user-space libraries and platform tools.
• Design, build and run tests for complex driver software.
• Shape test strategy and raise engineering standards across hardware, firmware, drivers and higher-level software.
• Stay hands-on while guiding test infrastructure, coverage and best practices.

Skills

Linux kernel validation

Device driver testing

C++

Python

CI/CD

Debugging cross-layer issues

Test strategy

Cross-team communication

Tools

CI/CD tooling

Build tools

Job description

About the job

Own the quality gate for the drivers that power Graphcore’s next-generation AI systems.

As a Staff System Software Engineer in Test, you will join the Drivers QA team in Cambridge. You will design, build and run tests for complex Linux device drivers, user space libraries and platform tools.

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.

What we’re looking for

• 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.

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 Comment by Helen Doyle: can we take out unlimited as its not contractual and change to generous or flexible.
• 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 own the quality of the driver software behind Graphcore’s next-generation AI systems, we’d love to hear from you.