Hardware Platform Development Intern

Graphcore; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 17,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

Graphcore in Austin is seeking a Systems Engineering Intern to contribute to hardware, firmware, and software projects for advanced AI compute platforms. You will work with experienced engineers on subsystem design, laboratory testing, system validation, automation, and performance analysis.

The internship provides hands-on experience with modern hardware development and system-level engineering. You will own clearly defined technical tasks with guidance and document your methods, results, and

Qualifications

• Enrolled in bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral program in electrical/computer engineering, CS, or related field.
• Hands-on lab testing experience through coursework, research, internships, or personal projects.
• Experience with programming or scripting language such as Python, C, C++, or MATLAB.
• Foundational understanding of computer architecture, digital systems, embedded systems, or hardware–software interaction.

Responsibilities

• Support design and testing of CPU and high-speed I/O subsystems for advance compute platforms.
• Run lab tests to evaluate performance, power, signal behavior, and reliability.
• Create scripts/tools to streamline testing, data collection, and analysis.
• Explore PCIe 6.0 and 800G Ethernet and how they support compute workloads.
• Assist investigations into platform power, cooling, and energy efficiency, including liquid cooling.
• Use lab equipment under supervision to collect data and verify results.
• Analyze test results, identify issues, and collaborate to reproduce problems.
• Collaborate across hardware, firmware, software, mechanical, thermal, and systems teams.
• Maintain clear test procedures, scripts, data summaries, and engineering notes.
• Communicate progress and issues per safety and lab protocols.

Skills

Hands-on lab testing

Python

C/C++

MATLAB

Computer architecture

Analytical problem solving

Documentation

Team collaboration

Education

Electrical/Computer Engineering or CS

Tools

Power meters

Oscilloscopes

Logic analyzers

Test automation

Job description

About Graphcore

Graphcore is a global leader in artificial intelligence computing systems. We design advanced semiconductors and data center hardware that provide the specialized processing power needed to advance AI while improving the efficiency required for broad adoption.

As part of SoftBank Group, Graphcore belongs to a family of companies developing transformative technologies. Our AI Engineering Campus in Austin plays an important role in building the hardware platforms that support the next generation of AI systems.

The Opportunity

As a Systems Engineering Intern, you will contribute to projects that combine hardware, firmware, and software engineering for advanced AI compute platforms. You will work with experienced engineers on subsystem design, laboratory testing, system validation, automation, and performance analysis.

The internship provides hands-on experience with modern hardware development and system-level engineering. You will own clearly defined technical tasks with guidance from the team and document your methods, results, and conclusions.

What You Will Do

• Support the design and testing of CPU and high-speed input and output subsystems for advanced compute platforms.
• Run laboratory tests and measurements to help evaluate performance, power, signal behavior, and reliability.
• Contribute to system-level validation by creating scripts and tools that streamline testing, data collection, and analysis.
• Explore emerging input and output technologies, including PCIe 6.0 and 800G Ethernet, and learn how they support advanced computing workloads.
• Assist with investigations into platform power, cooling, and energy efficiency, including liquid-cooling systems for high-performance processors.
• Use power meters, oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, or comparable lab equipment under appropriate supervision.
• Analyze test results, identify unexpected behavior, and work with engineers to reproduce and investigate issues.
• Collaborate across hardware, firmware, software, mechanical, thermal, and systems teams to understand how components operate together.
• Maintain clear test procedures, scripts, data summaries, and engineering notes.
• Communicate progress and technical issues clearly and follow applicable engineering, laboratory, and safety procedures.

What You Will Bring

• Current enrollment in a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral program in electrical engineering, computer engineering, computer science, or a closely related field.
• Experience with hands-on lab testing and technical measurements through coursework, research, student teams, internships, or personal projects.
• Experience with at least one programming or scripting language, such as Python, C, C++, or MATLAB.
• Foundational understanding of computer architecture, digital systems, embedded systems, or hardware-software interaction.
• An analytical approach to problem-solving and interest in understanding how hardware and complete systems operate.
• Ability to document technical work, explain findings clearly, collaborate with others, and respond constructively to feedback.
• Willingness to learn unfamiliar tools and technologies and seek guidance when needed.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience using power meters, oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, or similar laboratory equipment.
• Academic or project exposure to CPU subsystems, PCIe, Ethernet, high-speed interfaces, or platform validation.
• Experience creating test automation, data-analysis tools, or engineering scripts.
• Interest in platform performance, power delivery, thermal management, liquid cooling, or energy efficiency.
• Experience gained through research, hackathons, student engineering teams, or personal hardware projects.

These qualifications are helpful, not required. We encourage you to apply even if you do not meet every preferred qualification.

Equal Opportunity and Accommodations

Graphcore is an equal opportunity employer. We consider qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.

Graphcore is committed to an inclusive and accessible hiring process. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application or interview process, please let the recruiting team know.

Candidate Privacy

Personal information submitted during the recruiting process will be handled in accordance with Graphcore's applicable candidate privacy notices.