---
title: 'Staff Robotics Engineer at Graphcore'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/staff-robotics-engineer-graphcore-austin-texas-48zjd6k5bqkd'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-08'
---

# Staff Robotics Engineer 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/8784028002

## 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 to the Director of Automation, the Staff Robotics Engineer will provide technical leadership for the design, integration, validation, and deployment of robotic automation systems for data center operations. This role will work closely with internal Graphcore teams, SoftBank Robotics, SoftBank Group affiliates, and external technology partners to turn R&D concepts into scalable, production-ready robotic capabilities. Example systems may include robotic manipulation, material transport, inspection, rack/server handling, autonomous mobile robots, or other automation solutions for data center operations. This role is based in Austin and may require periodic travel to partner, manufacturing, lab, or deployment sites, including occasional collaboration across APAC time zones.

The Team

The automation team is responsible for helping the vision of Softbank Group to automate data center, working with internal Graphcore teams and Softbank Group affiliates. The team works closely with Softbank Robotics and its partners and other third parties to solve complex solutions for data center operations.  Our focus is on delivering robust, production-quality systems that bridge cutting-edge research and real-world deployment.

## Responsibilities and Duties

- This role is expected to operate with high autonomy, define technical direction for ambiguous robotics automation problems, influence partner roadmaps, and establish engineering standards for scalable deployment.
- Align robotics, data center, internal engineering, SoftBank Group, and third-party partner teams to provide scalable autonomy capabilities.
- Guide and mentor Softbank Group engineers and third-party partners without direct people management responsibilities, elevating technical judgment and Mechatronics best practices.
- Contribute to technical planning, estimation and delivery of key project milestones.
- Experience establishing or executing verification and validation processes, including simulation, hardware-in-the-loop testing, FAT/SAT, site validation, or field deployment.
- Support troubleshooting and root-cause analysis across software, controls, mechanical, and electrical systems.
- Iterate on end effectors, hardware interfaces, and robotic subsystems with partners.
- Help build scalable software infrastructure, device management systems, and fleet coordination protocols by collaborating with Softbank Group affiliates and third-party partners.
- Lead the transition of R&D feasibility studies into production-ready integrated systems.
- Evaluate emerging technologies, tools and methodologies to improve robotics capabilities and engineering productivity.
- Produce clear technical documentation and communicate engineering decisions effectively to a range of stakeholders.

Candidate Profile

Essential

- 8+ years of experience in automation or equipment engineering, with a focus on mechatronic subsystems and modular machine design.
- Experience taking robotic or automated systems from prototype/R&D into production or field deployment.
- Experience with material handling systems, automated equipment, or productionized robotic solutions.
- Familiarity with 3D localization or VLM-based object detection (e.g., perception/ segmentation).
- Experience conducting FAT/SAT validation and managing technical deliverables with partners and manufacturers.
- Proven ability to debug the "full-stack": PLC logic, high-level code (C# or Python), and complex mechanical/electrical hardware.
- Experience with robotics frameworks and middleware such as ROS/ROS 2 and IsaacSIM for modeling robotic interactions and path planning.
- Strong understanding of robotics fundamentals including perception, localization, mapping, planning or control.
- Ability to lead technical initiatives and influence engineering direction through expertise and collaboration.
- Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills.
- Strong communication skills with the ability to work effectively across multidisciplinary teams.
- Degree in Mechatronics, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Robotics, Mathematics, or a related technical field, or equivalent practical experience.

Desirable

- Experience applying machine learning or AI techniques within robotics systems.
- Experience with simulation environments and digital twin technologies.
- Knowledge of computer vision, sensor fusion or reinforcement learning techniques.
- Experience deploying robotics applications to cloud, edge or embedded environments.
- Familiarity with GPU acceleration, high-performance computing or AI infrastructure.
- Experience contributing to open-source robotics projects or technical communities.
- Experience working in research-intensive or advanced technology environments.

## 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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