Senior Power & Performance Validation Lead - Flexible Work

Graphcore; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Graphcore in Austin, TX seeks a Senior Power and Performance Validation Engineer to lead validation strategy for AI compute silicon and systems. You will drive power, thermal and performance validation across pre- and post-silicon environments to ensure efficiency, reliability and scalability.

The role requires deep SoC knowledge, Linux performance analysis, and strong Python automation. You will collaborate with architecture, RTL, firmware and software teams to deliver robust methodologies and

Qualifications

• Strong experience in power and performance validation, silicon characterization or system performance engineering.
• Deep understanding of modern SoC architecture, including CPU, memory, interconnect and high-speed I/O technologies.
• Strong Linux systems knowledge and low-level performance analysis experience.
• Strong Python programming skills for automation, orchestration and data analysis.
• Experience with benchmarking and profiling tools such as stress-ng, fio, perf, iperf or equivalent technologies.
• Experience debugging complex hardware and software interactions.
• Ability to define structured validation methodologies, workload models and test strategies.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret large datasets and identify system bottlenecks.
• Strong communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Ability to work independently on complex technical tasks while collaborating effectively across teams.

Responsibilities

• Define validation strategies for power, thermal and performance characterization of AI compute silicon and platforms.
• Contribute to planning and execution of validation activities across multiple projects and milestones.
• Develop comprehensive validation plans covering functional, stress, workload and corner-case scenarios.
• Lead post-silicon bring-up and characterization activities for power and performance validation.
• Drive validation of CPU, memory, interconnect and high-speed I/O subsystems under complex workload conditions.
• Develop scalable automation frameworks, regression infrastructure and reporting tools using Python.
• Design and execute benchmark workloads, parameter sweeps and performance experiments to identify optimization opportunities.
• Collaborate with architecture, RTL, firmware, software and systems teams to debug and resolve complex technical issues.
• Define validation metrics, pass/fail criteria and reporting methodologies to ensure repeatable and high-quality analysis.
• Guide development of custom workload generators and micro-benchmarks where required.
• Analyse power, thermal and performance data to identify bottlenecks and recommend improvements.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of validation processes, tooling and engineering practices.
• Communicate technical findings, project status, risks and recommendations clearly to stakeholders and engineering leadership.
• Support knowledge sharing and contribute to continuous improvement across the validation organisation.

Skills

Power & performance validation

SoC architecture understanding

Linux systems knowledge

Python programming

Benchmarking & profiling

Hardware/software debugging

Validation methodologies

Analytical skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Tools

stress-ng

fio

perf

iperf

C/C++

Job description

Graphcore in Austin, TX seeks a Senior Power and Performance Validation Engineer to lead validation strategy for AI compute silicon and systems. You will drive power, thermal and performance validation across pre- and post-silicon environments to ensure efficiency, reliability and scalability.

The role requires deep SoC knowledge, Linux performance analysis, and strong Python automation. You will collaborate with architecture, RTL, firmware and software teams to deliver robust methodologies and