{"id":73849,"url":"https://alion.io/job/graphcore-principal-software-architect-2","title":"Principal Software Architect","company":{"id":33,"name":"Graphcore","domain":"graphcore.ai","url":"https://alion.io/company/graphcore","size_band":"1001-5000","is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"Greenhouse","truth_index":{"grade":"A","score":92,"open_postings":154,"ghost_share":0,"stale_share":0.117,"repost_share":0,"time_to_fill_p50_days":69,"computed_at":"2026-10-26T05:57:25Z"}},"role":"Backend","role_family":"Backend","seniority":"lead","employment_type":null,"work_mode":"on_site","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["Cambridge, United Kingdom","Bristol, United Kingdom"],"countries":["GB"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":null,"salary_estimate":{"min_usd":103000,"max_usd":207000,"period":"year","method":"role_seniority_country_remote_cell","sample_n":54},"experience_years_min":null,"visa_sponsorship":true,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[{"name":"C++","optional":false},{"name":"HPC","optional":false},{"name":"PyTorch","optional":false},{"name":"Triton","optional":false}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-06-24T14:36:24Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-10-15","last_verified_at":"2026-10-26T23:03:41Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":124,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":0,"flags":[],"days_open":123},"description":"About Graphcore \nGraphcore is one of the world’s leading innovators in Artificial Intelligence compute. \nIt is developing hardware, software and systems infrastructure that will unlock the next generation of AI breakthroughs and power the widespread adoption of AI solutions across every industry. \nAs part of the SoftBank Group, Graphcore is a member of an elite family of companies responsible for some of the world’s most transformative technologies. Together, they share a bold vision: to enable Artificial Super Intelligence and ensure its benefits are accessible to everyone. \nGraphcore’s teams are drawn from diverse backgrounds and bring a broad range of skills and perspectives. A melting pot of AI research specialists, silicon designers, software engineers and systems architects, Graphcore enjoys a culture of continuous learning and constant innovation.\nJob Summary \nWe are looking for a Principal Architect to define and drive the architectural vision of the software stack for the Graphcore ML accelerator.\nIn this role, you will shape the architecture of our software ecosystem and maintain a deep understanding of the product’s hardware and software components, their interfaces, and how they interact.\nYou are an excellent communicator, and you proactively convey the software architecture.\nYou bring a pragmatic, trade-off-aware approach to decision-making, fully recognising the impact of architectural choices on product direction and engineering outcomes. \nThe Team \nThe software architecture team is responsible for defining, maintaining and communicating the overarching architecture of our software stack, from firmware to ML frameworks.\nThe team works within the wider software organisation, partnering closely with engineering teams who deliver against this architectural vision. \nResponsibilities and Duties\nDefine & document the software architecture of the software stack. \nWork across different software domains to ensure a coherent end too end architecture.\nClearly communicate the software architecture to engineering teams.\nEnsure teams understand key software architectural components, interfaces, and guiding principles. \nContinuously maintain the software architecture as the product evolves. Communicate architectural changes proactively to all relevant stakeholders. \nStay informed about trends and developments in the ML/software ecosystem.\nAssess the architectural impact of new technologies.\nBe aware of the usability, performance, reliability, maintainability, testability, security and observability constraints on the software architecture. \nPrototyping and validating architectural concepts through proof-of-concept implementations. \nContribute to future and/or related product definitions with a forward-looking mindset, understanding and communicating the impact of future direction on software architecture. \nWork with the HW and Silicon architects to ensure product the needs of software stack. \nEnsure the software architecture meets the product requirements. \nWork closely with engineering, product, leadership, and partners to ensure alignment between business goals and architectural direction. \nCandidate Profile\nEssential:\nExpertise in one or more of these technologies; Firmware, Drivers, ML frameworks (PyTorch, Triton, etc), Collectives, HPC, Tooling, C & C++, CPU architectures.\nTechnical expertise in the ML accelerator software space.\nExcellent communication skill, both written and verbal. \nCollaborative mindset and ability to influence. \nPragmatic approach to decision making, being very aware of trade-offs and implications. \nDesirable\nDemonstrable experience in a previous architecture role. \nBenefits\nIn addition to a competitive salary, Graphcore offers flexible working, a generous annual leave policy, private medical insurance and health cash plan, a dental plan, pension (matched up to 5%), life assurance and income protection. We have a generous parental leave policy and an employee assistance programme (which includes health, mental wellbeing, and bereavement support). We offer a range of healthy food and snacks at our central Bristol office and have our own barista bar! We welcome people of different backgrounds and experiences; we’re committed to building an inclusive work environment that makes Graphcore a great home for everyone. We offer an equal opportunity process and understand that there are visible and invisible differences in all of us. We can provide a flexible approach to interview and encourage you to chat to us if you require any reasonable adjustments.\nApplicants for this position must hold the right to work in the UK. 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