Graduate Silicon Architect

Location: Bristol, UK
Salary: £45,000 per annum 
Start date: September 2027
Application deadline: Midnight, 29th November 2026 
We encourage you to apply early, as we may close applications before the advertised deadline.

The Graduate Programme at Graphcore

Join Graphcore in a permanent role and start your career with two years of hands-on learning. From day one, you’ll be trusted to take ownership, share your ideas and help shape what we’re creating. You’ll tackle challenging problems alongside a team who support your development and are as excited about your success as you are.

What you’ll work on

Put your understanding of computer architecture to work on the choices that shape Graphcore’s next generation of AI hardware.

As a Graduate Silicon Architect, you’ll help specify, model and evaluate complex system-on-chip (SoC) subsystems, with guidance from experienced architects. You’ll explore how product requirements translate into technical options, design trade-offs and validation plans.

Your work will likely include some of: taking responsibility for the architecture of a chip subsystem or function, modelling architectural features, assessing third-party intellectual property (IP) and supporting silicon bring-up. Working across design, verification, hardware and software teams, you’ll help gather the performance evidence that supports architecture decisions.

Your team and support

The Silicon Architecture team sits within the Silicon group. We stand for practical ambition: clear thinking, careful engineering and curiosity that improves real systems.

You’ll work with mentors and experienced architects through design reviews, modelling, simulation, documentation and discussions with neighbouring teams. You’ll take ownership of defined tasks that grow in scope as you develop your skills.

Simulations, performance data and design constraints help guide our decisions. You’ll be encouraged to ask questions, challenge existing approaches and share ideas for making things better. Take responsibility for your work and speak up when something needs testing, explaining or support.

How you’ll learn and grow

During the two-year programme, you’ll develop your architecture skills through hands-on architectural design + integration, modelling and evaluation of AI acceleration hardware, supported by mentors.

Exploring technical options and running simulations will help you understand how architecture choices affect system behaviour. You’ll learn how to compare trade-offs, document findings and use performance evidence to support a decision.

Design reviews and work across engineering teams will help you connect specifications to implementation and validation. Supporting silicon bring-up will give you experience of how architectural ideas are checked on real hardware, while tasks that grow in scope will build your technical judgement and confidence.

What we’re looking for

• A degree, or expected degree, in Electronic Engineering, Computer Science or a related field
• An understanding of computer architecture or digital systems, with an interest in SoC design, AI hardware or high-performance computing
• Programming experience in Python, Rust, C++ or a similar language
• Analytical problem-solving skills and clear written and verbal communication, including documenting findings and explaining technical ideas

You can demonstrate these skills through coursework, a dissertation, personal or team projects, research, or other relevant experience. Tell us what you built or investigated, how you approached it and what you learned.

Exposure to register-transfer level (RTL) design, modelling, simulation, PCIe, Ethernet or DDR would be useful. These are additional strengths, rather than essential requirements.

Benefits

• Flexible working: Balance your work and personal life with greater flexibility
• 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 already have the right to work in the UK for the full duration of the programme, without requiring visa sponsorship. We are unable to sponsor work visas for our Early Careers opportunities.

Introduction to Graphcore

At Graphcore, we’re building next generation AI compute: from semiconductors and software to systems at datacenter scale. We are proud to be owned by SoftBank Group and work with other companies in the SoftBank family to deliver AI compute to customers working at the AI frontier. Starting your career here means working alongside people with different backgrounds and expertise, from AI researchers to chip designers and software engineers. You’ll learn from each other, bring fresh ideas and help solve challenging problems together.

How to apply and what to expect 

To apply, answer the application questions below and upload your CV and cover letter. We’ll let you know the outcome of your application by early December at the latest. If successful, you’ll be invited to complete a technical assessment. Candidates who reach the final stage will then be invited to attend in-person assessments in early spring.

Ready to put your learning into practice? Start your career in a permanent SoC Architecture Engineer role, with two years of hands-on learning through the Graphcore Graduate Programme. Apply now and help shape what comes next.