---
title: 'Principal Engineering Program Manager at Graphcore'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/principal-engineering-program-manager-graphcore-austin-texas-m5g623168tsj'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-08'
---

# Principal Engineering Program Manager at Graphcore

- **Company:** Graphcore
- **Location:** Austin Texas, United States
- **Posted:** 2026-09-04
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-08
- **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/graphcore/jobs/8784009002

## Job description

## About us

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 enjoys a culture of continuous learning and constant innovation.

Job Summary

Reporting into the Hardware Systems Engineering organization, the Principal Engineering Program Manager is responsible for planning, coordinating, and driving the successful execution of complex hardware programs. Working closely with Hardware Systems Engineering, Electrical, Mechanical, Firmware, Validation, and Manufacturing Engineering teams, as well as external ODM, JDM, and contract manufacturing partners, the role drives engineering execution through manufacturing planning, factory readiness, manufacturing test readiness, and engineering build execution. Acting as the operational hub between development engineering and manufacturing, the role ensures engineering deliverables, manufacturing capabilities, and program milestones remain aligned to enable successful engineering builds and product qualification.

The Team

The Hardware Systems Engineering team develops and integrates high-performance AI hardware systems, including server platforms, PCBAs, mechanical assemblies, and supporting infrastructure. Working closely with Electrical, Mechanical, Firmware, Validation, Manufacturing Engineering, Supply Chain, and Operations teams, alongside external ODM, JDM, and contract manufacturing partners, the team focuses on enabling robust hardware designs, effective system integration, and manufacturing readiness during the early stages of product development.

## Responsibilities and Duties

- Lead complex hardware programs through manufacturing planning, factory readiness, and engineering build execution, partnering with development engineering teams to ensure designs, engineering deliverables, manufacturing processes, tooling, test infrastructure, and cross-functional activities are aligned to support successful prototype builds and product qualification.
- Partner with Hardware Systems Engineering, Electrical, Mechanical, Firmware, and Validation teams to translate engineering requirements into executable manufacturing and engineering build plans.
- Drive cross-functional execution across Hardware, Firmware, Validation, Manufacturing Engineering, Supply Chain, Quality, and Operations teams to ensure engineering and manufacturing activities remain aligned.
- Manage technical engagement with ODM, JDM, and contract manufacturing partners to ensure engineering requirements, manufacturing readiness activities, and build objectives are executed successfully.
- Coordinate manufacturing readiness activities, including engineering build planning, factory readiness, manufacturing test readiness, and qualification milestones.
- Drive manufacturing test readiness by coordinating the delivery and validation of production test hardware, software, fixtures, diagnostics, and manufacturing test procedures prior to engineering builds.
- Partner with Hardware Engineering, Validation, and Manufacturing Engineering teams to ensure manufacturing test coverage, test limits, and acceptance criteria support engineering validation objectives.
- Work with ODM, JDM, and contract manufacturing partners to commission and qualify manufacturing processes, tooling, and test infrastructure ahead of engineering builds.
- Drive engineering build execution by monitoring progress, identifying technical and operational issues, and coordinating cross-functional teams to resolve blockers quickly.
- Coordinate engineering change implementation across development and manufacturing teams, ensuring design updates are effectively communicated, validated, and incorporated into engineering builds.
- Lead cross-functional reviews of engineering and manufacturing issues, driving root cause analysis, corrective actions, and closure of engineering actions.
- Monitor program risks across engineering development, supplier readiness, and manufacturing execution, driving mitigation plans where required.
- Develop program reporting that provides clear visibility into engineering build readiness, manufacturing readiness, schedules, technical risks, and key delivery metrics.
- Drive continuous improvement of engineering operations, engineering build execution, manufacturing readiness, and program management processes.

Candidate Profile

Essential

- 10 years of demonstrated experience leading complex hardware system development programs through engineering builds and manufacturing readiness.
- Experience working directly with ODM, JDM, or contract manufacturing partners.
- Strong understanding of manufacturing operations, new product introduction (NPI), engineering build execution, and manufacturing readiness activities.
- Experience delivering manufacturing test readiness, including production test development, factory test implementation, and manufacturing validation.
- Strong understanding of hardware development lifecycles, engineering change management, and cross-functional engineering execution.
- Experience coordinating multidisciplinary engineering teams, including Hardware, Electrical, Mechanical, Firmware, Validation, and Manufacturing Engineering.
- Excellent program planning, risk management, and stakeholder management skills.
- Strong communication skills with the ability to influence engineering, operations, and manufacturing leadership.

Desirable

- Experience with server platforms, enterprise hardware, or high-performance computing systems.
- Knowledge of manufacturing quality systems, failure analysis, and corrective action methodologies.
- Experience working with global manufacturing sites and international engineering teams.
- Familiarity with PLM, ERP, and Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES).
- PMP, Agile, or equivalent program management certification.

USA 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 offer 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.

## 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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