Principal Technical Program Manager, Graphcore
Hardware Engineering
2+ days a week in office
Advanced AI systems and services
Job no longer available
Advanced AI systems and services
501-1000 employees
Job no longer available
2+ days a week in office
501-1000 employees
Company mission
To make machine learning faster, easier and more intelligent.
Role
Who you are
- Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related technical field or comparable experience
- Demonstrated ability running hardware or system-level product development, preferably in server, datacenter, or high-performance computing (HPC) environments
- Proven track record of delivering complex hardware programs on schedule and within budget
- Solid understanding of server hardware architecture, board development, thermal, mechanical, and power subsystems
- Experience working with CMs/JDMs and navigating NPI (New Product Introduction) cycles
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills; able to influence cross-functional teams and executive stakeholders
- Experience navigating hardware NPI cycles and managing product development across engineering, operations, and manufacturing
- Strong organizational, analytical, and communication skills, with the ability to drive decisions and influence stakeholders
- Proficiency with program management tools (e.g., Microsoft Project, Wrike, Smartsheet) and PLM systems (e.g., Agile, Arena)
Desirable
- Familiarity with PLM tools (e.g., Agile, Arena)
- Experience in distributed team teamwork across time zones
- Understanding of server compliance and regulatory requirements
- Experience with server validation, diagnostics, and failure analysis
What the job involves
- We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced System Hardware Development Program Manager to lead end-to-end development and delivery of next-generation hardware platforms
- In this role, you will be responsible for driving execution across cross-functional engineering teams, supply chain, manufacturing, and operations, and finance to ensure on-time and high-quality product releases
- This position requires strong technical acumen, outstanding program management skills, working with global engineering and manufacturing partners, and the ability to navigate sophisticated development lifecycles in a fast-paced environment
- Lead and manage full lifecycle hardware development programs from concept through production for server platforms
- Develop, own, and drive schedules, program plans, resource allocations, and risk mitigation strategies for complex hardware programs
- Responsible for establishing and maintaining program budget
- Lead hardware development milestones (e.g., schematic/layout freeze, EVT/DVT/PVT builds, system integration, bring-up, and deployment)
- Drive cross-functional collaboration with engineering, operations, supply chain, manufacturing, and quality teams
- Coordinate and align efforts across hardware architecture, board design, thermal/mechanical, power systems, firmware, and validation teams
- Manage prototype builds, validation schedules, and bring-up plans with internal teams and external partners
- Coordinate with Contract Manufacturers (CMs) and Joint Design Manufacturers (JDMs) for build readiness, issue resolution, and process improvement
- Maintain program documentation, status reports, and presentations for executive leadership
- Drive BOM management, change control processes, and material readiness for prototype and production phases
- Provide regular program updates to stakeholders, executives, and customers, with clear status, risks, and mitigation plans
- Work with supply chain and operations to support scalable manufacturing and delivery of systems
- Collaborate with software and data center teams to ensure hardware readiness for system-level performance testing and deployment
Our take
The hardware required to train AI models comes at a high cost, both financially and environmentally, producing millions of dollars in expenses and hundreds of tons of greenhouse gases. In response, Graphcore develops accelerator chips designed to expedite AI system training while significantly reducing power consumption.
AI accelerators like those crafted by Graphcore specialise in enhancing specific AI applications, such as artificial neural networks, deep learning, and machine learning. Utilising multicore designs and prioritising low-precision arithmetic or in-memory computing, these accelerators elevate the performance of large AI algorithms, achieving breakthrough results in natural language processing and computer vision.
Graphcore has ambitious plans to create an AI supercomputer, aiming to be one of the most powerful in its class. However, progress on this has extended beyond its planned 2024 debut, and the company was purchased by Softbank later that year. Though the acquisition by the Japanese multinational lowered Graphcore's valuation and highlighted structural problems in the local financing of UK tech pioneers, the buyout will undoubtedly aid the company in its ambitions to shape the future of AI computing.
Freddie
Company Specialist at Welcome to the Jungle
Insights
Company
Funding (last 2 of 6 rounds)
Dec 2020
$222m
SERIES E
Feb 2020
$150m
SERIES D
Total funding: $682m
Company benefits
- Work-Life Balance: We believe you should have a good work-life balance. Everyone's situation is different, so we offer flexible working arrangements and start and finish times, allowing you to choose when to work from home or come into the office
- Wellbeing: We want to ensure that our employees have the resources and support they need to prioritise their health and wellbeing
- Healthcare: We offer Private Medical Insurance (PMI) to our employees to help them take care of their health and that of their loved ones
- Progression: We prioritise learning and development as an integral part of our culture at Graphcore. Our Talent Development team is dedicated to equipping all our employees with the necessary tools, resources, and support to enhance their skills and reach their full potential in their careers
- Pension: We believe that our employees deserve the best when it comes to planning for their future
- Income Protection: Graphcore understands that unforeseen circumstances can happen, and we want to ensure our employees have the necessary financial security in place
Company HQ
Old City, Bristol, UK
Leadership
Nigel Toon
(Co-Founder & Exec Chair)Previously the President and CEO at picoChip Designs (processors for telecoms). As well as the VP and GM of Europe at Altera (semiconductors, merged with Intel).
Simon Knowles
(Co-Founder & CTO)Founded two successful semiconductor companies, Element14 and Icera, for a combined value of over $1 billion.
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