Graduate Software Engineer - System Software QA

Location: Bristol or Cambridge, 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 programming and Linux skills to work on the software that helps Graphcore’s AI systems run reliably.

As a Graduate Software Engineer in System Software Quality Assurance (QA), you’ll help validate low-level firmware, Linux kernel drivers and platform tools. You’ll design and develop tests, investigate issues and give development teams clear feedback on software quality.

You’ll also maintain and improve continuous integration pipelines across different platforms. Working closely with System Software development teams, you’ll help strengthen test-driven development and solve practical engineering problems that matter to customers.

Your team and support

You will be working closely with a team of passionate engineers who will help you each step of the way. Your buddy will be Myles who has recently completed his own graduate program, they can not only help you with becoming an individual contributor but also suggest some fascinating travel destinations for your next holiday.

How you’ll learn and grow

During the two-year programme, you’ll deepen your systems knowledge through hands-on testing across firmware, Linux kernel drivers and platform tools.

Designing tests will help you understand the foundations on which some of the most popular models run, finding and debugging defects will teach you about the low-level software and interactions with the hardware. You will have a chance to work in the lab configuring hardware connections and work on building automation pipelines to seamlessly run tests in loop and process results.

Collaboration with development teams will help you connect your findings to software improvements, explain technical issues clearly and develop your engineering judgement from design through delivery.

What we're looking for

• Bachelor’s/Master’s degree in Computer Science, Maths, Data Science or a related field
• Experience working with Linux internals and or firmware
• Strong proficiency in C/C++ and Python
• Clear written and verbal communication, with a collaborative, practical approach to solving challenging technical problems and taking ownership of quality work

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.

Knowledge of low-level software testing, virtualisation, hypervisor concepts or automation pipelines 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 System Software QA role, with two years of hands-on learning through the Graphcore Graduate Programme. Apply now and help shape what comes next.