Principal SLT Test Engineer

Graphcore; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental and vision coverage

401(k) retirement plan

Flexible working options

Health Savings Accounts (HSAs)

Job summary

Graphcore in Austin, Texas is looking for an experienced Silicon Test Engineer to join their Product Test and Diagnosis Department. This pivotal role involves building a team to develop System Level Test (SLT) capability for next-generation AI processors.

The ideal candidate should possess strong digital circuit knowledge and experience in production testing. Benefits include comprehensive health coverage, 401(k), and flexible working options.

Qualifications

• Experience in production testing of large digital devices.
• Strong understanding of JTAG, BIST, and MBIST.
• Ability to collaborate in cross-department teams.

Responsibilities

• Managing a team to develop SLT test solutions for AI processors.
• Writing test programs on advanced SLT platforms.
• Defining test fixtures for SLT Test Solutions.

Skills

Digital integrated circuits

Advanced test techniques

Scripting skills (Python, TCL, etc.)

Mentoring skills

Education

Degree in electronics or a related field

Tools

SLT testers

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

We are looking for an experienced Silicon Test Engineer to join our Product Test and Diagnosis Department (PTD). This pivotal role will involve building a team of engineers to develop System Level Test (SLT) capability within the company. Working closely with a cross‑functional team, you will implement SLT tests for a family of next‑generation AI processors. The ideal candidate should have a focus on quality and demonstrate a good understanding of the importance of production test on the success of a product. You will have a proven functional test or ATE test engineering background and a pragmatic, hands‑on and flexible approach to a fast‑changing environment.

The Team

The Product Test and Diagnostics team’s role is to detect and manage hardware defects that arise from the manufacture and use of our products. This covers chips, boards and finished systems and takes place both in the manufacturing sites and in the field.

Responsibilities and Duties

• Managing a team of engineers to implement SLT test solutions for a multi‑die AI processor product
• Working with the Silicon, Test and DFT teams to define manufacturing test solutions
• Working with key industry leaders to develop an SLT system capable of meeting the product’s needs
• Understanding of top, and board‑level DFT strategies within a 3D, multi‑die product
• Understanding of implementation details for an Incoming Quality Inspection (IQC) stage, and the inter‑department complexities
• Defining test fixtures for SLT Test Solutions: Structural and functional test equipment, interface PCBs, sockets, cooling systems, etc.
• Writing Production, Engineering and Characterisation Test Programs on Advanced SLT platforms
• Working with other departments to balance test coverage and fault detection across all test stages in the flow: ATE, board, blade, and in‑field test
• Correlation to bench measurements
• Transferring test solutions to the offshore vendors, as part of an NPI release
• Work collaboratively with other engineering teams to ensure successful silicon and board bring‑up and help identify any silicon failures to enhance yield learning and improvement

Candidate Profile

• A pragmatic approach, the ability to improvise, pitch in, and get the job done
• Experience in production test of large digital devices
• Very good knowledge of digital integrated circuits and advanced test techniques
• Very good understanding of DFT components such as JTAG (IEEE 1149.x), BIST, MBIST, etc.
• Understanding of functional test of complex systems
• Experience in transferring to volume manufacture to OSATs and Contract Manufacturers
• Ability to work within high‑pressure cross‑department and cross‑company teams
• Ability to mentor junior members of the team
• Strong scripting and debugging skills using programming languages like Python, TCL, Perl, Shell, etc.
• Degree level qualifications in electronics or a related field
• Good communication skills
• Proven competence on SLT testers
• Experience of thermal control of high‑power devices in a production environment

Benefits

In addition to a competitive salary, Graphcore offers flexible working and a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your health, wellbeing and financial future. Our benefits include medical, dental and vision coverage, Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), disability and life insurance, a 401(k) retirement plan, commuter benefits, wellness services and an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP). 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 provide 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.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

As set forth in Graphcore’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy, we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

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