---
title: 'Staff SoC Architect at Graphcore'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/staff-soc-architect-graphcore-bristol-nsskffn3m26e'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-22'
---

# Staff SoC Architect at Graphcore

- **Company:** Graphcore
- **Location:** Bristol, United Kingdom
- **Posted:** 2026-09-22
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-22
- **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/graphcore/jobs/8829940002

## Job description

## About the job

Shape the SoC architecture behind Graphcore's next generation of AI acceleration platforms.

Graphcore is expanding its Silicon Architecture Team in Bristol to deliver complex AI compute platforms. As a SoC Architect, you will define how critical subsystems are specified, modelled and integrated. You will turn product requirements into architecture choices across interfaces, interconnect, memory and platform behaviour. Your work will guide implementation, validation and trade-offs across multiple chip programmes. You will work with processor, SoC and system architects, plus design, verification, hardware and software teams. Together, you will evaluate IP, resolve integration questions and support silicon bring-up where needed.

This is a rare chance to influence real AI silicon while Graphcore scales its contribution to SoftBank Group's AI ecosystem.

The team and culture

The team owns SoC architecture, subsystem modelling and system-level trade-offs across future AI acceleration platforms. Work moves from requirements to specifications, models, reviews and guidance for implementation teams. People here are expected to take responsibility early and keep decisions moving. You will speak directly with adjacent teams to clarify constraints, challenge assumptions and close open questions. Decisions are made through technical evidence, clear specifications and direct cross-functional discussion. The team values people who think big, act fast and speak up when architecture needs sharper choices.

## What we're looking for

- Experience specifying or architecting complex SoC devices or subsystems.
- Strong understanding of computer architecture, SoC integration, RTL development and verification processes.
- Ability to turn product requirements into clear technical specifications and practical design trade-offs.
- Software development capability, ideally with Python, C++, Rust or architecture modelling experience.
- Knowledge of PCIe, LPDDR, DDR, Ethernet, high-speed interfaces or on-chip interconnect.
- Confidence working across design, verification, hardware, software and systems teams.

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 and dental cover
- Optional benefits: Dental cover, health cash plan, private medical insurance, cycle to work scheme, give as you earn

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.

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.

Ready to shape the architecture behind Graphcore’s next generation of AI acceleration platforms? Apply now to be part of the journey.

## 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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