Staff Software Engineer

Graphcore; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 119,000 - 172,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

Generous leave

Pension matching

Phantom equity

On-site barista and free meals

Job summary

Graphcore is seeking a Staff System Software Engineer in Cambridge to shape firmware quality for next-generation hardware platforms. You will lead firmware QA across the team, verify boot/config/monitoring software, and build high-coverage tests with close collaboration to hardware teams.

You will design test infrastructure, drive root-cause investigations and mentor engineers, balancing technical breadth with practical ownership of difficult problems.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in firmware qualification across complex embedded systems.
• Deep understanding of real time embedded systems and boot logic.
• Experience working with hardware, debuggers and analysers.
• Strong understanding of silicon and hardware interfaces (I2C, I3C, SMBus, SPI, PCIe, DDR, Power management).
• Experience with CI/CD, build tools and modern testing practices.
• Ability to debug cross-layer issues and communicate complex concepts clearly.

Responsibilities

• Lead firmware QA across Graphcore's next-generation hardware platforms.
• Verify the low-level software behind boot, configuration and monitoring.
• Design test infrastructure and high coverage tests; debug issues with hardware and analysers.
• Guide best practice while staying close to the code.

Skills

Firmware QA

Embedded systems

Hardware debugging

Silicon interfaces

CI/CD & testing

Root-cause analysis

Job description

About the job

Shape the test strategy that proves Graphcore firmware is ready for production hardware.

As a Staff System Software Engineer, you will lead firmware QA across Graphcore’s next-generation hardware platforms. You will verify the low level software behind boot, configuration and monitoring.

Your tests will protect production firmware quality, from power sequencing to hardware interfaces and telemetry. You will create reliable gates for firmware used across teams and systems.

You will design test infrastructure, build high coverage tests and debug issues with hardware and analysers. You will also guide best practice while staying close to the code.

This role needs technical breadth, embedded systems depth and calm ownership of difficult problems. You will shape how firmware quality scales at Graphcore.

The team and culture

You will join the Firmware QA team within System Software QA. The team validates low level software for complete boot, configuration and monitoring of Graphcore silicon and hardware platforms.

Work happens close to hardware, across firmware, software and platform teams. You will turn requirements and use cases into acceptance tests that protect production quality.

Decisions are shaped by evidence, technical discussion and clear ownership. You will speak up, set standards and mentor engineers through practical, hands‑on leadership.

What we’re looking for

• Significant experience in firmware qualification across complex embedded systems.
• Deep understanding of real time embedded systems and complex boot logic.
• Experience working with hardware, debuggers and analysers.
• Strong understanding of silicon and hardware interfaces, including I2C, I3C, SMBus, SPI, PCIe, DDR and power management.
• Experience with CI/CD, build tools and modern testing practices.
• Ability to debug cross-layer issues, drive root‑cause investigations and communicate complex technical concepts clearly.

While we have outlined a set of requirements, we value transferable skills and diverse experiences.

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
• 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.

Ready to shape firmware quality for Graphcore’s next-generation hardware platforms?