System Software Engineer Bristol, UK

graphcore; Bristol; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

Generous annual leave

Private medical insurance

Pension (matched up to 5%)

Employee assistance programme

Job summary

Graphcore in Bristol is looking for a software developer to join the drivers and utilities team. This role involves designing and implementing OS kernel and device driver software using C/C++. You'll collaborate in an agile environment with both software and hardware teams, influencing product development. The position offers a competitive salary and extensive benefits including flexible work arrangements, private medical insurance, and a supportive inclusion policy. Candidates must have the right to work in the UK.

Qualifications

• Industry experience in software development using C/C++.
• Familiar with OS Kernel and Device Driver development on Linux or Windows.
• Good understanding of lower-level software stack and hardware interactions.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, test and document OS Kernel and Device Driver software.
• Participate in agile development as part of a scrum team.
• Communicate effectively in technical discussions with peers and stakeholders.

Skills

C/C++ programming

OS Kernel development

Device Driver development

Problem-solving skills

Performance analysis tools

PCIe

Firmware development

Job description

Job Summary

As a member of the drivers and utilities team you will contribute to the planning, design, implementation and testing of low level kernel drivers and user space driver library code. You will be part of one of the two teams in the system software department (the firmware team being the other one) and report to the drivers and utilities team manager.

The Team

The drivers and utilities team forms part of the system software group – working closely with both software engineers developing our Poplar SDK and with silicon and hardware engineers developing Graphcore’s IPU solution. The drivers and utilities team develop custom control software on the host in kernel and user space. Our solutions enable our customers to get maximum performance and utility for our cutting‑edge products.

Responsibilities and Duties

• Design, implement, test and document OS Kernel and Device Driver software at the highest standard using C/C++/Python programming languages
• Participate in agile development – working as part of a scrum team to develop the right software at pace
• Communicate effectively and contribute regularly to technical discussions with your peers in software and hardware engineering, with architects and other stakeholders
• Hands‑on during key product development phases involving close working with hardware and silicon engineering groups to enable fast time to market delivery

Candidate Profile

• Industry experience in software development using programming languages such as C/C++.
• Familiar with OS Kernel and Device Driver development and deployment on Linux or Windows systems
• Good understanding of lower‑level software stack and interactions with the hardware layer
• Possess effective problem‑solving skills, familiar with some debug and performance analysis tools and techniques
• Experience with one or more of the following: PCIe, CPU, device drivers, SoC, firmware, and hardware/software integration
• Experience developing firmware or drivers for GPUs or other accelerators
• Experience working on upstreaming of kernel code / contributing to Linux kernel.
• Exposure to integration with data centre / cloud service operations – for example integration with Kubernetes or open stack.

Benefits

In addition to a competitive salary, Graphcore offers flexible working, a generous annual leave policy, private medical insurance and health cash plan, a dental plan, pension (matched up to 5%), life assurance and income protection. We have a generous parental leave policy and an employee assistance programme (which includes health, mental wellbeing, and bereavement support). We offer a range of healthy food and snacks at our central Bristol office and have our own barista bar! 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.

EEO Statement

Applicants for this position must hold the right to work in the UK. Unfortunately at this time, we are unable to provide visa sponsorship or support for visa applications