Hardware Platform Development Intern

About the role

Graphcore is a global leader in artificial intelligence computing systems, designing advanced semiconductors and data‑center hardware that provide the specialized processing power needed to advance AI while improving efficiency for broad adoption. As part of SoftBank Group, Graphcore belongs to a family of companies developing transformative technologies. The AI Engineering Campus in Austin plays an important role in building the hardware platforms that support the next generation of AI systems. The Systems Engineering Intern will contribute to projects that combine hardware, firmware, and software engineering for advanced AI compute platforms, working with experienced engineers on subsystem design, laboratory testing, system validation, automation, and performance analysis.

Responsibilities

• Support the design and testing of CPU and high‑speed input and output subsystems for advanced compute platforms.
• Run laboratory tests and measurements to evaluate performance, power, signal behavior, and reliability.
• Contribute to system‑level validation by creating scripts and tools that streamline testing, data collection, and analysis.
• Explore emerging input and output technologies, including PCIe 6.0 and 800 Gbps Ethernet, and learn how they support advanced computing workloads.
• Assist with investigations into platform power, cooling, and energy efficiency, including liquid‑cooling systems for high‑performance processors.
• Use power meters, oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, or comparable lab equipment under appropriate supervision.
• Analyze test results, identify unexpected behavior, and work with engineers to reproduce and investigate issues.
• Collaborate across hardware, firmware, software, mechanical, thermal, and systems teams to understand component interactions.
• Maintain clear test procedures, scripts, data summaries, and engineering notes.
• Communicate progress and technical issues clearly and follow applicable engineering, laboratory, and safety procedures.

Requirements

• Current enrollment in a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral program in electrical engineering, computer engineering, computer science, or a closely related field.
• Experience with hands‑on lab testing and technical measurements through coursework, research, student teams, internships, or personal projects.
• Experience with at least one programming or scripting language, such as Python, C, C++, or MATLAB.
• Foundational understanding of computer architecture, digital systems, embedded systems, or hardware‑software interaction.
• Analytical approach to problem‑solving and interest in understanding how hardware and complete systems operate.
• Ability to document technical work, explain findings clearly, collaborate with others, and respond constructively to feedback.
• Willingness to learn unfamiliar tools and technologies and seek guidance when needed.

Preferred qualifications

• Experience using power meters, oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, or similar laboratory equipment.
• Academic or project exposure to CPU subsystems, PCIe, Ethernet, high‑speed interfaces, or platform validation.
• Experience creating test automation, data‑analysis tools, or engineering scripts.
• Interest in platform performance, power delivery, thermal management, liquid cooling, or energy efficiency.
• Experience gained through research, hackathons, student engineering teams, or personal hardware projects (helpful but not required).