Staff System Software Engineer

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. 

About the Role

We are looking for Staff System Software Engineer in Test to join our team.

In this role, you will be responsible for design, development, automation and reporting of Integration and system tests spanning across firmware and device drivers.

This role requires you to have significant technical breadth and deep understanding of low-level system software specifically in server class systems.

You will be part of a new team responsible for integration of different system software deliverables and development of system tests spanning all the components. You will

contribute to shaping the test strategy , guide best practices and solve complex problems while maintaining a strong hands-on focus. You will partner with development and other QA teams to deliver high quality scalable

and reliable solutions.

The team and culture

You will join a new integration and system test team within System Software QA. The team verifies integrated components across BMC, firmware and Linux device drivers.

Work happens close to the hardware, across component teams and QA. You will partner with developers, consult package stakeholders and turn use cases into robust system tests.

Decisions are shaped by evidence, clear technical reasoning and ownership. You will be expected to speak up, act fast and raise standards through hands-on leadership.

What we’re looking for

• Strong experience in low level system testing and integration across complex software and hardware layers.

• Deep understanding of RTOS, complex boot logic, Linux and device drivers.

• Test development capability using Python and C/C++.

•  Experience working with hardware, debuggers, CI/CD pipelines and build or integration tools.

• Ability to debug cross-layer issues and drive root-cause investigations to lasting corrective actions.

•  Clear communication skills, with the ability to mentor engineers and document complex technical decisions.

Responsibilities & Duties :

• Technical leadership for test features – 

• Ownership of multiple features

• Infrastructure ownership

• Test Strategy

• Design and development of tests specifically for complex multi component areas achieving close to 100% coverage

• Knowledge of overall functionality 

• Ability to understand complex features and design and implement test plans with minimum guidance. 

• Bug triaging and debugging

• Debug bugs found in tests (self or help others) to narrow it down to RC. 

• Review and improve code, test design and implementation processes.

• Perform code review for teammates as well as developers

• Improve ‘ways of working’ by ensuring team follows standard practices.

• Collaborate with HW and Software teams to understand use-cases, create and implement test plans to meet requirements across the stack

• Integration tests for other components on the board
• Acceptance tests for stakeholders
• Communicate complex technical concepts to experts and non-experts

• Demonstrate knowledge of your domain

• Contribute to validation framework, CI/CD, Automation and packaging.

• Lead/contribute to design decisions

• Drive RCCA 

• Work with developers to reduce mean time between failures for externally reported bugs

• Add missing test coverage

• Mentor Jr members

• Technical expert on domain 
• Ensure best practices are followed
  
• Raise quality and coding standards, best practices by setting an example

• Ensure and improve code quality

• Ensure and improve best practices
• Contribute to improving team culture

Benefits

In addition to a competitive salary, Graphcore offers a competitive benefits package. 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.