Artificial Intelligence, Semiconductors, Computer Hardware

Principal Test Framework Software Engineer

Austin, TXHybridFull TimePrincipalPosted 9 days agoVisa sponsorship available

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Required skills

AI hardware
software architecture
test automation frameworks
Python
Bash
Linux
Git
CI/CD
systems thinking
hardware test

Nice to have

test orchestration
lab management
hardware farms
scheduling systems
distributed automation
server platforms

Role summary

Graphcore, an AI computing innovator, seeks a Principal Test Framework Software Engineer to lead the architecture and development of software frameworks for qualifying and validating AI hardware. This role involves hands-on development, defining technical roadmaps, and establishing engineering standards for test automation. The engineer will translate hardware requirements into scalable test solutions, integrate testing with CI/CD pipelines, and analyze test results. Responsibilities include complex debugging, improving test efficiency, and collaborating with cross-functional teams. The ideal candidate has substantial experience in test automation, software architecture, Python, Linux, Git, and CI/CD, with a background in hardware test or embedded systems.

About Graphcore

Graphcore is a leading innovator in artificial intelligence computing. We develop hardware, software, and systems infrastructure designed to support the next generation of AI systems and expand the practical use of AI across industries.

As part of SoftBank Group, Graphcore works alongside companies developing advanced technologies. Our teams bring together hardware, software, systems, and AI expertise to solve complex engineering problems across the computing stack.

The Opportunity

As Principal Test Framework Software Engineer, you will define and evolve the software architecture used to qualify and validate Graphcore's AI hardware platforms. You will combine hands-on software development with Principal-level technical leadership, creating common frameworks that help engineering teams run reliable, repeatable tests across development, system validation, and production environments.

Working within Test Software and Automation, you will translate hardware requirements into maintainable test solutions, improve the speed and quality of validation, and provide clear technical direction across hardware, firmware, systems, product, and manufacturing teams.

What You Will Do

Own the architecture and technical roadmap for shared test automation frameworks used in hardware bring-up, qualification, regression testing, and production validation.

Design and implement framework components, interfaces, configuration models, and reusable libraries that support multiple hardware platforms and test environments.

Translate hardware specifications, validation plans, and quality requirements into scalable automated test suites with clear coverage and traceability.

Establish engineering standards for framework reliability, maintainability, versioning, documentation, observability, and test-result integrity.

Integrate automated testing with continuous integration and delivery pipelines, source control, lab infrastructure, and test orchestration systems.

Develop tools and data pipelines that collect, process, analyze, and visualize test results so teams can identify failures, trends, and quality risks.

Lead complex debugging across test software, operating systems, firmware, hardware, and lab environments, and drive issues to clear technical resolution.

Improve test execution time, reproducibility, resource use, and validation methods across development and production workflows.

Partner with hardware, firmware, systems, product, quality, and manufacturing teams to align test coverage with product and business requirements.

Provide technical guidance, conduct design and code reviews, mentor engineers, and communicate status, risks, tradeoffs, and recommendations to engineering leaders.

What You Will Bring

A bachelor's or master's degree in computer science, electrical engineering, computer engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.

Substantial professional experience building software for test automation, validation infrastructure, developer tooling, or related systems, including technical leadership at Principal, Staff, or Lead Engineer scope.

Strong software development skills in Python and proficiency with Bash or comparable scripting languages.

Demonstrated success designing modular, scalable, and maintainable frameworks, including stable interfaces, reusable components, configuration management, and automated verification.

Experience with Linux or Unix environments, Git-based development, continuous integration and delivery pipelines, and software engineering practices for production-quality tools.

Experience working at the boundary between software and hardware, including hardware test, system validation, or embedded platform environments.

Strong debugging and systems-thinking skills, with the ability to isolate problems across software, firmware, hardware, networks, and lab infrastructure.

Ability to turn technical specifications and quality goals into measurable coverage, repeatable tests, and actionable results.

Proven ability to influence cross-functional technical decisions, mentor engineers, and communicate clearly with both technical teams and engineering leadership.

Preferred Qualifications

These qualifications are helpful, not required. We encourage you to apply even if you do not meet every preferred qualification.

Experience with test orchestration, lab management, hardware farms, scheduling systems, or distributed automation infrastructure.

Background in AI hardware, server platforms, embedded systems, baseboard management controllers, or related low-level environments.

Experience integrating automated tests with manufacturing, deployment, or product-release workflows.

Experience developing test-data pipelines, dashboards, or visualization tools for engineering analysis and quality reporting.

Familiarity with containerized environments, remote execution, or infrastructure-as-code practices used to manage test systems.

United States Benefits Overview

Graphcore offers compensation and benefits designed to support employees' health, financial well-being, work-life needs, and professional growth. Benefits and programs for eligible U.S. employees may include:

Medical, dental, and vision coverage, with options that may extend to eligible dependents.

Mental health, wellness, and employee assistance resources.

Retirement savings benefits and company contributions where applicable.

Paid vacation, sick time, company holidays, and parental or family leave in accordance with applicable plans and policies.

Life insurance and short-term or long-term disability coverage.

Flexible working hours and hybrid working arrangements where compatible with the role and team requirements.

Professional development resources, learning programs, office amenities, and team-led activities.

Benefits vary by work location, employment status, scheduled hours, and plan eligibility and are subject to the terms of the applicable plans and company policies. This overview is not a contract or guarantee of benefits.

Equal Opportunity and Accommodations

Graphcore is an equal opportunity employer. We consider qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.

Graphcore is committed to an inclusive and accessible hiring process. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application or interview process, please let the recruiting team know.

Candidate Privacy

Personal information submitted during the recruiting process will be handled in accordance with Graphcore's applicable candidate privacy notices.

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