Debug Validation Engineer Multiple Levels

Debug Validation Engineer Multiple Levels Overview

Graphcore is hiring a Debug Validation Engineer at multiple levels to join its Bristol-based team working on next-generation AI compute silicon and systems. The company is building a full AI compute stack that spans silicon, software, and datacenter-scale infrastructure, and this role sits within that broader effort to bring advanced AI technology to market. The position reports to the Senior Director of Post Silicon Validation and is focused on driving post-silicon debug and validation across complex hardware and software layers.

The role is centered on helping the team identify, reproduce, investigate, and resolve difficult issues that arise during silicon bring-up, characterization, and product readiness. It requires someone who can combine deep technical debugging ability with strong collaboration across multiple engineering disciplines. The work is highly cross-functional and involves close coordination with architecture, RTL, firmware, software, and systems teams.

About the team

You would join the Post-Silicon Debug and Validation team, which is responsible for bring-up, fault diagnosis, and validation of Graphcore silicon and systems. The team is involved throughout the product lifecycle, from the earliest silicon bring-up through subsystem validation, system integration, and production-readiness activities. It works closely with hardware, firmware, software, and systems engineers to investigate failures, shape debug strategies, and strengthen validation infrastructure.

What you will do

• Take the lead on post-silicon debugging and validation for AI compute silicon and platform technologies.
• Contribute to debug and validation work across several projects and deliverables at the same time.
• Investigate complex problems across silicon, firmware, software, and system layers during bring-up and validation.
• Build structured debug approaches and failure-analysis methods that improve the speed and quality of issue resolution.
• Partner closely with architecture, RTL, firmware, software, and systems teams to identify root causes and implement corrective actions.
• Drive debug efforts for CPU, memory, interconnect, and high-speed I/O subsystems under functional, stress, and workload-based testing.
• Develop and improve automated debug, regression, and validation frameworks using Python and related technologies.
• Analyze logs, traces, telemetry, and hardware data to isolate failures and understand performance issues.
• Support the creation of validation tests, debug tools, and custom diagnostics that improve coverage and observability.
• Define validation metrics, debug workflows, and reporting standards so analysis is consistent and repeatable.
• Communicate technical risks, progress updates, and recommendations clearly to engineering leadership and other stakeholders.
• Support silicon readiness reviews and help inform product quality and release decisions.
• Contribute to ongoing improvements in debug methods, validation infrastructure, and engineering processes.

What the role requires

• Substantial experience working in bare-metal environments.
• Strong understanding of SoC and platform architecture.
• Proven knowledge of debug infrastructure and post-silicon debug methods.
• Strong programming ability in Python, C, or debug scripting languages such as CMM, or equivalent hands-on experience.
• A self-motivated, proactive approach and a collaborative, team-focused mindset.
• Ability to work across teams and across different programming languages to uncover the root cause of complex issues.
• Experience with post-silicon validation in digital ASIC environments.
• Strong Linux and Python experience.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively to solve hard technical problems.
• Strong analytical, diagnostic, and problem-solving skills.
• Deep knowledge of scan, DFT, JTAG, and trace infrastructure.
• Strong debugging capability, including fault-tree analysis, failure isolation, fishbone analysis, and system-level debug techniques.
• Ability to work independently on technically demanding debug and validation tasks that span hardware, firmware, and software.

Preferred experience

• Understanding of DFT flows from insertion through post-silicon validation.
• Experience creating tools that parse and analyze debug data, including scan dump parsing.
• Driver-level experience with one or more of the following: PCIe, Ethernet, memory technologies such as LPDDR, DDR, and HBM, or peripheral interfaces such as I2C, I3C, and SPI.
• Experience with CoreSight and similar debug ecosystems, including CTI, ETx, DStream, JLink, Lauterbach, ATB, and STM, or equivalent tools.
• Strong understanding of mixed-signal components such as PLLs, high-speed PHYs, and IC control and communication protocols.
• Experience with Arm CPU architectures, system IP, and associated debug tooling.
• Experience with AMBA protocols.
• Understanding of machine learning applications and the workloads they generate.
• Background in characterization, failure analysis, test development, statistical analysis, and customer support.

What Graphcore offers

In addition to a competitive salary, the company provides flexible working, a generous holiday allowance, private medical insurance, and a health cash plan. The benefits package also includes a dental plan, pension contributions matched up to 5%, life assurance, and income protection.

Employees also receive a generous parental leave policy and access to an employee assistance programme that supports health, mental wellbeing, and bereavement. At the central Bristol office, there is a selection of healthy food and snacks, along with an in-house barista bar.

Graphcore emphasizes an inclusive workplace and welcomes applicants from different backgrounds and experiences. The company says it is committed to creating an environment where everyone can belong and contribute. It also offers an equal-opportunity hiring process and is open to discussing reasonable adjustments and interview flexibility for candidates who need them.

How to apply

Applications are submitted through the online Greenhouse application form. Candidates are asked to provide a resume/CV and may also upload a cover letter. The form also requests contact details, LinkedIn or website information if available, and asks applicants to confirm their legal name and their right-to-work status in the UK. There is also a section for confidential demographic information used only for statistical and inclusion-related hiring analysis.

Degree Requirement: Not Specified

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