--- title: 'Principal Systems Test Operations Engineer at Graphcore' canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/principal-systems-test-operations-engineer-graphcore-hsinchu-city-hsinchu-city-sbj0qe5110qf' type: 'job' last_seen: '2026-09-08' --- # Principal Systems Test Operations Engineer at Graphcore - **Company:** Graphcore - **Location:** Hsinchu City Hsinchu City, Taiwan - **Posted:** 2026-08-14 - **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-08 - **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/graphcore/jobs/8712481002 ## Job description ## About the job Shape how Graphcore’s high-performance systems are tested, diagnosed and proven ready for production. You’ll lead the technical direction for system-level manufacturing test. You’ll turn product requirements into robust test strategies for manufacturing partners. Your work will directly influence product quality across boards, blades and rack-level systems. You’ll solve complex test issues and drive improvements across products. You’ll define, deploy and maintain test platforms, fixtures and diagnostic solutions. You’ll also partner with hardware, software and manufacturing teams. This role combines hands-on technical depth with broad influence. You’ll shape future test strategy while helping other engineers raise the bar. The team and culture The Product Test and Diagnosis team finds and manages hardware defects across chips, boards and finished systems. Its work spans manufacturing sites and deployed products. You’ll work closely with engineering teams and manufacturing partners to solve problems quickly. Decisions are driven by evidence, technical judgement and root cause analysis. You’ll have ownership of complex problems and the scope to challenge existing approaches. You’ll also mentor engineers and establish practical standards across teams. ## What we’re looking for Essential - Proven experience in PCBA and system product validation, including in manufacturing testing within production environments. - Strong understanding of electronics fundamentals, PCBA/blade/rack-level manufacturing processes, and associated failure mechanisms. - Proficient with Linux command-line environments and technical troubleshooting. - Experienced in the local and remote operation of test equipment, including oscilloscopes, DMMs, clock generators, SMUs, and PSUs. - Proven problem-solving, communication, and presentation skills, with the ability to perform effectively in fast-paced, complex environments. Desirable - Strong knowledge of high-speed interconnects, including PCIe Gen5/6 and Ethernet, as well as DC-SCM and IPMI. - Experience with server and data-centre-level functional testing. - Experience developing and working with manufacturing test programs at platform level. - Proficiency in general-purpose programming languages such as C, Python, and Java, with experience using Git revision control. - Experience with Statistical Process Control (SPC) and associated tools, including run charts and control charts. ## Benefits - Unlimited annual leave - Medical & Life Insurance - Eye Care Cover - Annual Health Assessment - Phantom equity – share in Graphcore’s success - Office spaces designed for collaboration Inclusion statement 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. Join the Team at Graphcore Graphcore is building the compute platform for the next generation of artificial intelligence. From advanced silicon to intelligent software, our technology is designed to unlock breakthroughs in AI and bring its benefits to every industry. As part of the SoftBank Group, we’re backed by one of the world’s most ambitious technology investors, working alongside companies shaping the future of AI. Together, we share a bold goal: to help enable artificial superintelligence and ensure it delivers meaningful impact at a global scale. At Graphcore, you’ll work with people who are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. Our teams bring together AI researchers, chip designers, software engineers and systems experts from a wide range of backgrounds. It’s an environment where we take on big challenges with curiosity and focus, move quickly and decisively, take real ownership of our work, and speak up to challenge ideas—stepping up to support each other and lead through action. Want to shape how advanced compute systems are tested and proven at manufacturing scale? Apply now and help set the technical standard for system test at Graphcore. ## 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