--- title: 'Principal Cloud Engineer at Graphcore' canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/principal-cloud-engineer-graphcore-bristol-tfzgfb9mczpz' type: 'job' last_seen: '2026-09-08' --- # Principal Cloud Engineer at Graphcore - **Company:** Graphcore - **Location:** Bristol, United Kingdom - **Posted:** 2026-06-30 - **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-08 - **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/graphcore/jobs/8613162002 ## Job description ## About the job Build the cloud platform that powers Graphcore’s next generation AI systems. As a Principal Cloud Engineer, you will help develop, deploy and operate cloud services across Graphcore’s AI infrastructure. You will work on private and public cloud systems used by internal teams and customers. Your work will shape how high-performance AI systems are integrated, validated, benchmarked and optimised. You will help keep complex infrastructure reliable, observable and ready for demanding workloads. You will own significant technical initiatives, from OpenStack-based services to Infrastructure-as-Code automation. You will also mentor engineers and turn user needs into services that perform at scale. This role puts you close to pre-release hardware, advanced systems and real product challenges. The Team and Culture The Cloud Platform Team sits within Software Platform and works closely with Software Platform, Datacentre Operations and Product Development. The team builds systems for internal users and customers, often using new components before they are proven. Work moves through practical engineering, clear ownership and fast feedback from users. You will be expected to take responsibility, speak up early and lead critical infrastructure work without close oversight. Decisions are grounded in evidence from benchmarks, observability data and operational performance. The team values engineers who can think big, act fast and bring others with them. ## What we’re looking for - Bachelor's degree or equivalent practical experience in a relevant subject. - Strong infrastructure or IT background, with private-cloud or on-premises cloud experience. - Expert Linux system administration and scripting skills, including bash and Python. - Hands-on experience with Infrastructure-as-Code tools such as Terraform/OpenTofu, Ansible or Packer. - Experience with CI or testing pipelines, version control and cloud service deployment. - Strong communication skills, with the judgement to lead critical work and support end users. While we have outlined a set of requirements, we value transferable skills and diverse experiences. If you meet most of our essential criteria, we encourage you to submit an application and showcase how your background makes you a strong candidate. ## 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. If you want to build the cloud platform behind Graphcore’s next generation AI systems, we’d love to hear from you. Apply now to be part of the journey. ## About Graphcore ## Company Overview - **One-liner**: Graphcore designs and builds the Intelligence Processing Unit (IPU), a processor purpose-built for machine intelligence, and provides a complete AI compute stack from silicon to software. - **Entity Type**: Private (wholly owned subsidiary of SoftBank Group Corp as of 2025/2026) - **Headquarters**: Bristol, England, UK - **Founded**: 2016 - **Founders**: Nigel Toon and Simon Knowles ## Core Business - **Primary industry**: AI hardware/accelerators, semiconductor design, AI software platform - **Target customers**: Cloud providers (Microsoft Azure), enterprises, AI researchers, hyperscalers - **Mission statement**: “Let innovators create the next breakthroughs in machine intelligence to enhance human potential” ## Products & Services - **[IPU (Intelligence Processing Unit)](https://www.graphcore.ai/)**: A processor designed from the ground up for machine intelligence workloads; uses a massively parallel architecture (MIMD) with fine-grained compute and on-chip memory. - **[IPU-Machine M2000](https://www.graphcore.ai/about)**: Second-generation IPU platform – a 1U server appliance housing 4 MK2 GC200 IPU processors, delivering an 8× performance uplift over the first generation. - **[C2 IPU Accelerator PCIe Card](https://www.graphcore.ai/about)**: PCIe form factor accelerator for server integration, first demonstrated at ICML 2018. - **[Poplar Software Stack](https://www.graphcore.ai/)**: Full SDK and framework integration (PyTorch, TensorFlow) that lets developers target the IPU directly. ## Market Standing - **Valuation/Market Cap**: Acquired by SoftBank Group Corp (amount undisclosed); prior to acquisition valued at $2.77 B (Series E, lead by Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan Board). - **Key Metric**: Total funding raised prior to acquisition – over $680 M across Series A through E. - **Notable Investors/Partners**: SoftBank (owner), Microsoft (customer and investor), BMW, Samsung, Dell Technologies, Bosch, Sequoia Capital, Atomico, Fidelity, Baillie Gifford, Ontario Teachers’. - **Growth Signals**: Part of the fast-growing SoftBank AI ecosystem; expanding teams globally (Bristol, London, Cambridge, Gdańsk, Hsinchu, Bengaluru); first customer (Microsoft Azure) live since 2018. ## Competitive Advantages - **First purpose-built AI processor**: The IPU architecture is fundamentally different from GPUs – designed specifically for the sparse, parallel nature of neural network computation. - **Full stack ownership**: Graphcore controls silicon, system hardware, and software (Poplar), enabling tight optimisation across the entire compute chain. - **Cloud + on‑prem availability**: IPUs are available in the cloud on Microsoft Azure and as hardware from Dell, giving customers flexible deployment options. - **Strong IP and ecosystem**: 99+ engineering staff; deep expertise in semiconductor, systems, and AI software, backed by long-term SoftBank investment. ## Strategic Focus - **Scale AI infrastructure**: Delivering key technology into SoftBank’s global AI ecosystem and expanding the IPU platform to meet growing demand for AI compute. - **Expand into new regions**: Opening offices and hiring in India (Bengaluru) and across Europe (Gdańsk, London, Cambridge) to accelerate R&D and customer support. - **Democratise AI**: Continuing to lower the barrier for machine intelligence by providing accessible, high-efficiency hardware and software for innovators worldwide. ## Why Work Here - **Flexible hybrid work**: Employees are expected on-site three days a week, with trust and flexibility to balance work and life. - **Comprehensive benefits**: Unlimited annual leave, private medical insurance (UK), dental & health cash plan, income protection, life assurance, pension matched up to 5%, generous parental leave, and a personal development plan. - **Culture and growth**: ML reading groups, board game socials, book clubs, yoga, running, watersports, team events; strong DE+I initiatives; ambitious but supportive environment. - **Perks**: Free barista‑made coffee, snacks, and wellbeing rooms; cycle‑to‑work scheme; gym membership discount; education/training allowances. - **Purpose-driven work**: Opportunity to shape the future of AI compute and see your contributions used by global innovators. ## Sources 1. [graphcore.ai/about](https://www.graphcore.ai/about) 2. [graphcore.ai/](https://www.graphcore.ai/) 3. [graphcore.ai/careers](https://www.graphcore.ai/careers) 4. [graphcore.ai/jobs](https://www.graphcore.ai/jobs) 5. [builtin.com/company/graphcore](https://builtin.com/company/graphcore) ## Other roles at Graphcore - [Technical Programme Manager](https://feeny.ai/job/technical-programme-manager-graphcore-bristol-tnv81pjcg71q) — Bristol, United Kingdom - [Technology Owner](https://feeny.ai/job/technology-owner-graphcore-bristol-d8detpv2a2gt) — Bristol, United Kingdom - [Staff Silicon Physical Design Engineer - Bengaluru](https://feeny.ai/job/staff-silicon-physical-design-engineer-bengaluru-graphcore-bengaluru-5zwkhyr3ps27) — Bengaluru, India - [Staff Robotics Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/staff-robotics-engineer-graphcore-austin-texas-48zjd6k5bqkd) — Austin Texas, United States - [Staff Engineering Program Support](https://feeny.ai/job/staff-engineering-program-support-graphcore-milpitas-california-hrx7htcx8rkq) — Milpitas California, United States - [Senior Engineering Program Coordinator](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-engineering-program-coordinator-graphcore-milpitas-california-k5rv0zfbxp3p) — Milpitas California, United States - [Staff Engineering Operations Technical Program Manager](https://feeny.ai/job/staff-engineering-operations-technical-program-manager-graphcore-austin-texas-ffy430feqmnr) — Austin Texas, United States - [Principal Network Program Manager, AI Infrastructure](https://feeny.ai/job/principal-network-program-manager-ai-infrastructure-graphcore-milpitas-ta509snr3rw9) — Milpitas California, United States - [Principal Engineering Program Manager](https://feeny.ai/job/principal-engineering-program-manager-graphcore-austin-texas-m5g623168tsj) — Austin Texas, United States - [Staff Hardware Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/staff-hardware-engineer-graphcore-austin-texas-tf5ew0k0z9g8) — Austin Texas, United States