---
title: 'Principal Datacenter Technologist at Graphcore'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/principal-datacenter-technologist-graphcore-milpitas-qs7tqy64m917'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-10-13'
---

# Principal Datacenter Technologist at Graphcore

- **Company:** Graphcore
- **Location:** Milpitas, CA
- **Posted:** 2026-10-07
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-10-13
- **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/graphcore/jobs/8877124002

## Job description

## About Graphcore

Graphcore is a leading innovator in artificial intelligence computing. We develop hardware, software, and data center infrastructure that provide the specialized processing and systems capabilities needed to advance AI while improving the efficiency required for broad adoption.

As part of SoftBank Group, Graphcore works alongside companies developing advanced technologies. Our teams bring together AI researchers, silicon designers, hardware and software engineers, and systems architects to solve complex technical problems across the computing stack.

The Opportunity

As Principal Datacenter Technologist, you will turn new platform architectures into repeatable operating models for Graphcore's AI data centers. You will lead the technical definition of how Graphcore introduces, deploys, services, and sustains new compute, networking, storage, memory, power, and cooling technologies at scale.

Working within Advanced Architecture, you will connect platform design with data center engineering and site reliability operations. You will define new-product-introduction workflows, readiness criteria, diagnostics, and cross-functional handoffs so that new systems can move from architecture through deployment with clear ownership, supportability, and operational feedback.

## What You Will Do

- Own the technical operating model and new-product-introduction framework for new hardware and infrastructure technologies entering Graphcore data centers.
- Define end-to-end workflows for installation, configuration, validation, deployment, service, repair, upgrade, and sustained operation across the product lifecycle.
- Translate architecture requirements into data center readiness criteria covering software, firmware, compute, networking, storage, memory, rack integration, power, cooling, space, and site operations.
- Create clear runbooks, interface definitions, ownership models, acceptance criteria, and escalation paths that align architecture, engineering, data center, and site reliability teams.
- Lead operational readiness reviews and identify gaps in tooling, diagnostics, telemetry, serviceability, spares, documentation, and training before deployment.
- Serve as a senior escalation point for complex platform issues, ensuring that teams collect the right logs, telemetry, failure evidence, and environmental data to support root-cause analysis and disposition.
- Define and guide the deployment of automated diagnostic and telemetry systems that identify systemic hardware, software, quality, handling, and site-integration issues across the fleet.
- Establish quality and operational metrics for new technologies, analyze field trends, and feed findings back into architecture, design, supplier, and deployment decisions.
- Coordinate cross-functional resolution of issues spanning hardware, firmware, software, networking, storage, facilities, and site operations, with clear owners, decisions, and follow-through.
- Provide technical leadership, review implementation plans, mentor engineers, and communicate readiness, risks, tradeoffs, and recommendations to engineering and operations leaders.

## What You Will Bring

- A bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in information technology, computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
- Extensive experience in data center infrastructure build, infrastructure operations, platform deployment, or related technical fields, including leadership at Principal, Staff, or Lead Engineer scope.
- Demonstrated experience defining processes, workflows, and readiness criteria for new-product introduction in large-scale data center or infrastructure environments.
- Broad systems knowledge across compute, networking, storage, memory, firmware, operating systems, racks, power distribution, cooling, and data center operations.
- Hands-on Linux experience, including scripting or automation used to collect diagnostics, telemetry, configuration, and health information.
- Experience with failure analysis and validation of AI compute, server, networking, or other complex data center equipment.
- Ability to define telemetry, diagnostic coverage, quality metrics, and fleet-level signals that distinguish product issues from deployment, handling, or environmental problems.
- Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary technical work across architecture, hardware, software, facilities, data center engineering, and site reliability teams without relying on direct authority.
- Clear written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to produce precise technical workflows and explain operational risks and decisions to engineering leaders.

## Preferred Qualifications

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

- Experience leading data center engineering, platform introduction, or infrastructure readiness initiatives.
- Experience operating or supporting high-density AI or high-performance computing systems at fleet scale.
- Experience with telemetry platforms, automated diagnostics, serviceability tooling, and quality metrics for compute and networking equipment.
- Experience with rack-as-a-system architectures, direct liquid cooling, high-power racks, and the operational controls required for safe deployment and service.
- Experience working with suppliers, field-service teams, manufacturing, or logistics partners on equipment lifecycle, quality, repair, or failure-disposition processes.

- United States Benefits Overview

Graphcore offers compensation and benefits designed to support employees' health, financial well-being, work-life needs, and professional growth. Benefits and programs for eligible U.S. employees may include:

- Medical, dental, and vision coverage, with options that may extend to eligible dependents.
- Mental health, wellness, and employee assistance resources.
- Retirement savings benefits and company contributions where applicable.
- Paid vacation, sick time, company holidays, and parental or family leave in accordance with applicable plans and policies.
- Life insurance and short-term or long-term disability coverage.
- Flexible working hours and hybrid working arrangements where compatible with the role and team requirements.
- Professional development resources, learning programs, office amenities, and team-led activities.

Benefits vary by work location, employment status, scheduled hours, and plan eligibility and are subject to the terms of the applicable plans and company policies. This overview is not a contract or guarantee of benefits.

## 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.

## 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)

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