Location: Bristol, UK
Start date: September 2027
Application deadline: Midnight, 29th November 2026 
We encourage you to apply early, as we may close applications before the advertised deadline.

The Graduate Programme at Graphcore

Join Graphcore in a permanent role and start your career with two years of hands-on learning. From day one, you’ll be trusted to take ownership, share your ideas and help shape what we’re creating. You’ll tackle challenging problems alongside a team who support your development and are as excited about your success as you are.

What you’ll work on

Help build the software that connects Graphcore hardware with the machine learning frameworks researchers and engineers rely on.

As a Graduate Software Engineer across our Frameworks team, you’ll develop software connecting Graphcore’s machine learning accelerators with frameworks including PyTorch and Triton. You’ll implement features, optimise performance, resolve defects and create tests and technical documentation. You’ll write and improve tests, investigate issues and help make the software more reliable and faster.

You’ll also write clear documentation and take part in code reviews, discussing ideas and learning from feedback. Take ownership of clearly scoped tasks, with support from experienced colleagues as you learn your way around the codebase.

Your team and support

The Frameworks team works with tools including PyTorch and Triton Its work connects these tools with compilers, which translate code for hardware, and runtime software, which helps it execute.

We plan and review work in short cycles using Scrum. You’ll have clear priorities, regular feedback and opportunities to learn from colleagues working across software and hardware. Technical evidence and the needs of our users help guide our decisions.

You’ll be encouraged to ask questions, challenge existing approaches and share ideas for making things better. Take responsibility for your work and speak up when you spot a problem or need support.

How you’ll learn and grow

During the two-year programme, you’ll build your understanding of how software and hardware work together to run AI workloads.

Hands-on tasks will help you develop your knowledge of compilers and runtime software, alongside your skills in testing, debugging and documentation. Code reviews and technical discussions will give you feedback on your approach and help you learn how other engineers solve problems.

As you build confidence in the codebase, you’ll learn how to turn an idea into a software feature, investigate how it behaves and explain your work to colleagues.[

What we’re looking for

• Bachelor’s/Master’s degree in Computer Science, Maths, Machine Learning, Data Science or a related field
• Hands-on experience with Python or C++, with the ability to write clear, maintainable code, tests and documentation
• Practical experience or a strong academic understanding of compiler development, ML frameworks or a computationally intensive engineering field
• An interest in AI, machine learning frameworks, high-performance software or computer architecture, with curiosity and openness to learning through feedback and technical discussions

You can demonstrate these skills through coursework, a dissertation, personal or team projects, placements, internships, open-source contributions or other relevant experience.

Relevant modules and university projects count as evidence of your compiler knowledge. Tell us what you built or investigated, how you approached it and what you learned.

Benefits

• Flexible working: Balance your work and personal life with greater flexibility
• Retirement planning support: Up to 5% matched pension
• Phantom equity: Share in Graphcore’s success
• Workplace experience: Enjoy thoughtfully designed office spaces for collaboration, with free food and an on-site barista to support your day
• Peace of mind protection: Income protection and life assurance to provide financial security for you and your loved ones
• Electric Vehicle Scheme: Choose an electric vehicle and lease it through salary sacrifice
• Flexible benefits: Tailor your benefits package with a choice of additional options, including private medical insurance and dental cover
• Optional benefits: Dental cover, health cash plan, private medical insurance, cycle to work scheme, give as you earn

We welcome people from all backgrounds and experiences and are committed to building an inclusive environment where everyone can do their best work.

We’re an equal opportunity employer and recognise that everyone brings different strengths and perspectives. If you need any adjustments during the interview process, just let us know - we’re happy to support you.

Sponsorship

Applicants must already have the right to work in the UK for the full duration of the programme, without requiring visa sponsorship. We are unable to sponsor work visas for our Early Careers opportunities.

Introduction to Graphcore

At Graphcore, we’re building next generation AI compute: from semiconductors and software to systems at datacenter scale. We are proud to be owned by SoftBank Group and work with other companies in the SoftBank family to deliver AI compute to customers working at the AI frontier. Starting your career here means working alongside people with different backgrounds and expertise, from AI researchers to chip designers and software engineers. You’ll learn from each other, bring fresh ideas and help solve challenging problems together.

How to apply and what to expect 

To apply, answer the application questions below and upload your CV and cover letter. We’ll let you know the outcome of your application by early December at the latest. If successful, you’ll be invited to complete a technical assessment. Candidates who reach the final stage will then be invited to attend in-person assessments in early spring.

Ready to put your learning into practice? Start your career in a permanent Software Engineer role in our Frameworks team, with two years of hands-on learning through the Graphcore Graduate Programme. Apply now and help shape what comes next.