Director - Post-Silicon Validation

About the role

Graphcore is establishing a state-of-the-art AI Engineering Campus in Austin, Texas, dedicated to the innovation of next-generation system-on-chip (SoC) hardware. We are seeking a visionary Director to spearhead our Post-Silicon Validation efforts, providing strategic leadership as we transition from initial design to high-performance AI silicon deployment. This role is pivotal in guiding our talented engineering team through the entire product lifecycle, ensuring that our silicon meets the rigorous demands of modern machine learning workloads. You will be at the forefront of hardware excellence, bridging the gap between theoretical architecture and tangible, high-impact AI compute solutions.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Architect and oversee comprehensive validation strategies, utilizing bare metal C/C++ environments on FPGA and emulation platforms to ensure readiness before physical silicon arrives.
• Lead the critical "first silicon" bringup phase, providing hands-on technical guidance and troubleshooting during the initial power-on and functional verification stages.
• Design, implement, and scale robust automated testing frameworks and regression suites using Python to streamline the validation lifecycle.
• Facilitate seamless collaboration across hardware, software, and systems engineering departments to identify, isolate, and resolve complex cross-domain technical bottlenecks.
• Deliver transparent project status updates to senior leadership and program management while fostering a culture of technical excellence through active mentorship of engineering staff.
• Spearhead continuous improvement initiatives to refine validation methodologies, test infrastructure, and data collection processes.
• Conduct deep-dive analysis on silicon test data to pinpoint defects, providing actionable feedback to silicon architects to improve future iterations.
• Manage the end-to-end characterization process, ensuring that final products meet all performance, power, and thermal specifications.
• Develop and enforce rigorous quality standards for silicon validation, ensuring that all deliverables align with Graphcore's high-performance computing goals.
• Mentor junior and senior engineers, helping to build a high-performing culture within the Austin engineering hub.
• Coordinate with global teams to ensure consistency in validation standards and best practices across the organization.
• Oversee the integration of hardware-software co-validation strategies to ensure the silicon performs optimally within the broader AI ecosystem.

Requirements

• Extensive professional background in post-silicon validation within sophisticated digital ASIC environments.
• High level of proficiency in developing and debugging bare metal or embedded C/C++ code.
• Demonstrated experience working within Linux-based environments and utilizing Python for automation and data analysis.
• Solid conceptual understanding of machine learning architectures and the specific computational workloads that drive AI hardware.
• Exceptional diagnostic and analytical capabilities, with a proven track record of identifying root causes for complex hardware/software failures.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, inspire, and support cross-functional teams through high-pressure technical challenges.
• Superior communication and interpersonal skills, essential for navigating cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder management.
• A proactive mindset focused on problem-solving and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, innovative startup environment.

Nice to have

• Over 10 years of progressive industry experience in semiconductor validation or related fields.
• Proven history of building, scaling, and managing multi-site engineering teams across different geographical regions.
• Deep technical expertise in driver-level development for high-speed interfaces such as PCIe, Ethernet, or advanced memory technologies like LPDDR, DDR, and HBM.
• Practical knowledge of peripheral communication protocols including I2C, I3C, and SPI.
• Familiarity with the complexities of mixed-signal components, specifically high-speed PHYs and PLLs.
• Strong background in Arm CPU architectures, System IP, standard debug tools, and AMBA protocols.
• Expertise in silicon characterization, failure analysis, advanced test development, and statistical data analysis.

Skills & tools

• C/C++ (Bare metal/Embedded)
• Python
• Linux
• FPGA/Emulation
• ASIC Validation
• PCIe, Ethernet, Memory (DDR/HBM)
• Arm architecture
• AMBA protocols

Practical notes

Graphcore is committed to supporting our employees with a comprehensive and competitive benefits package. This includes full medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage, along with options for Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) and Health Savings Accounts (HSAs). We also provide robust disability and life insurance policies, a 401(k) retirement plan, commuter benefits, and access to an Employee Assistance Programme to support overall well-being. We embrace flexible working arrangements to accommodate diverse needs and are happy to provide reasonable adjustments throughout the interview and onboarding process to ensure a fair and inclusive experience for all candidates.