--- title: 'Senior Network Operations Engineer at Graphcore' canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/senior-network-operations-engineer-graphcore-bristol-e40gft647ps9' type: 'job' last_seen: '2026-11-10' --- # Senior Network Operations Engineer at Graphcore - **Company:** Graphcore - **Location:** Bristol, United Kingdom - **Posted:** 2026-11-05 - **Last confirmed live:** 2026-11-10 - **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/graphcore/jobs/8930229002 ## Job description ## About the job Turn complex network faults into lasting fixes, and make new services ready for reliable operation. As a Senior Network Operations Engineer in Bristol, UK, you’ll keep Graphcore’s networks reliable and secure. This full-time role spans the network lifecycle, from shaping operational requirements to resolving complex incidents. Your improvements will reduce downtime and manual errors across new and existing services. You’ll help colleagues operate services confidently, with practical runbooks and recovery procedures ready when problems arise. You’ll troubleshoot routing and firewalls, improve monitoring and automate routine operations. You’ll also support upgrades and deployments through testing, controlled changes and clear handovers. Your scope includes AWS networking, Cisco Software-Defined Access and SD-WAN across cloud and on-premises environments. Occasional travel to remote data centres and offices will involve installations, troubleshooting and hands-on support. The team and culture You’ll join a supportive, multidisciplinary IT infrastructure team that works closely together and regularly shares knowledge. With new projects ahead, you’ll bring operational experience into network designs alongside architects and project teams. As a senior escalation point, you’ll own complex incidents through to resolution. You’ll use monitoring evidence and recurring incident trends to prioritise reliability improvements. ## What we’re looking for AWS networking, Cisco Software-Defined Access (SDA) or SD-WAN experience would be particularly valuable, but is not essential. - At least five years’ hands-on network engineering experience, focused on production support, with certification in a major networking platform. - Strong practical knowledge of large-scale L2/L3 networks, including BGP, OSPF, switching, routing and resilience. - Experience supporting centrally controlled Wi-Fi, such as Cisco Meraki or Aruba, and resolving connectivity and performance issues. - Experience managing and troubleshooting centralised firewalls, including rulesets, NAT and VPNs, plus familiarity with open-source products such as pfSense. - Hands-on use of Ansible, Python or similar tools to automate operations and manage network configurations. - Evidence-led troubleshooting using monitoring, packet captures and logs, alongside clear communication, documentation and sound judgement during incidents. While we have outlined a set of requirements, we value transferable skills and diverse experiences. We also welcome engineers returning to the profession after a career break, including through returnship routes. ## 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 - Electric Vehicle Scheme: Choose an electric vehicle and lease it through salary sacrifice - Flexible benefits: Tailor your benefits package with a choice of additional options, including private medical insurance, cycle to work scheme and dental cover 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. Access to controlled technology Some roles at Graphcore involve access to technology subject to U.S. export control regulations. Depending on the role, we may need to assess whether export authorisation is required, taking account of factors such as work location, citizenship and immigration status. Where authorisation is required, this may affect whether or when you can start the role. We’ll explain any relevant requirements during the recruitment process. 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. Apply to join Graphcore in Bristol and turn your network operations expertise into more reliable services. ## 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 - [Technology Owner](https://feeny.ai/job/technology-owner-graphcore-bristol-n7932aqtncqw) — Bristol, United Kingdom - [Staff Engineering Program Coordination Support](https://feeny.ai/job/staff-engineering-program-coordination-support-graphcore-milpitas-6brm2n8e5s7y) — Milpitas, CA - [Corporate Travel Coordinator](https://feeny.ai/job/corporate-travel-coordinator-graphcore-bristol-3d3ffcpseesb) — Bristol, United Kingdom - [Lab Technician](https://feeny.ai/job/lab-technician-graphcore-bristol-1qse0fjvvph3) — Bristol, United Kingdom - [Programme Manager](https://feeny.ai/job/programme-manager-graphcore-bristol-vzkcxrjsjam9) — Bristol, United Kingdom - [Validation Chief of Staff](https://feeny.ai/job/validation-chief-of-staff-graphcore-austin-rmxtbeb85sjq) — Austin, TX - [Senior System Tests & Diagnostics Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-system-tests-diagnostics-engineer-graphcore-austin-2jtewzvghbe4) — Austin, TX - [Principal System Tests & Diagnostics Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/principal-system-tests-diagnostics-engineer-graphcore-austin-by73g50t5bt3) — Austin, TX - [Staff Hardware Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/staff-hardware-engineer-graphcore-austin-aznbnbmq9sx6) — Austin, TX - [Senior Systems Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-systems-engineer-graphcore-austin-ynjzbj7ks9j6) — Austin, TX