Location: Bristol, UK
Start date: September 2027
Applications 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 

Put your engineering knowledge to work on how advanced AI hardware moves from design into manufacture. 

As a Manufacturing Operations Graduate across Product Test, you’ll rotate through teams that turn complex AI technology into reliable products. You’ll support silicon package assembly, printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) production, component selection and bill of materials (BoM) management. 

You’ll analyse manufacturing and product performance data, investigate issues and help shape tests that support better engineering decisions. Your work will help Graphcore deliver high-quality hardware through global manufacturing partners, including production activity in Taiwan. 

Your team and support 

The Manufacturing Operations group brings together Manufacturing Technology & Process, Product Test, Quality, and Logistics and Procurement. You’ll be based in Bristol, working with colleagues across the UK, Taiwan and India. 

You’ll learn from experienced people through practical problem solving with engineering teams, operations specialists and external manufacturing partners. Decisions are guided by data, with input from design, test, quality and delivery specialists. 

You’ll be encouraged to ask questions, challenge existing approaches and share ideas for making things better. Gather evidence, 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, rotations will help you build broad foundations across manufacturing, quality, product test and supply chain. 

Hands-on work will show you how engineering decisions affect product quality and delivery. You’ll learn to connect manufacturing data with product performance, investigate problems and use tests to compare approaches and guide improvements. 

Working with specialists across the group will help you understand how each part of the manufacturing process fits together. You’ll build your technical judgement and communication skills as you explain findings and contribute to decisions, with experienced colleagues around you to support your development. 

What we're looking for 

• Bachelor’s/Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics or a related technical field 
• Curiosity about semiconductor manufacturing, PCBA production or server hardware 
• Comfort using data to investigate problems, explain findings and support decisions, with a practical approach to testing, learning and improving your work 
• Exposure to Python, Linux, Bash, Git or similar engineering tools 
• Bring clear communication, willingness to take ownership of your work and openness to sharing your observations when something needs attention  

You can demonstrate these skills through coursework, a dissertation, personal or team projects, research, or other relevant experience. 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 manufacturing operations career across Product Test in a permanent role, with two years of hands-on learning through the Graphcore Graduate Programme. Apply now and help shape what comes next.