Senior Principal Network Engineer
Graphcore is seeking a Senior Principal Network Engineer to design, deploy, and optimize next-generation AI data center networks. This role involves collaborating with the Network Architecture Lead to develop high-performance computing (HPC) network fabrics that support GPU clusters, ensuring the company's large-scale AI infrastructure operates at peak performance. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in hyperscale or HPC data center networks, with expertise in high-speed Ethernet fabrics, RDMA technologies, advanced automation, and telemetry systems.
Key responsibilities include defining ultra-high-bandwidth, non-blocking AI network fabrics using Clos spine-leaf-super-spine architectures for large-scale distributed AI workloads. The role also involves optimizing lossless Ethernet fabrics through congestion control mechanisms such as PFC, ECN, and DCQCN to support RDMA/RoCEv2 communication. Additionally, the engineer will lead initiatives to implement NetDevOps practices, develop automation for provisioning and configuration management, design high-resolution telemetry pipelines to monitor network health, and collaborate cross-functionally to co-design high-performance infrastructure.
Candidates must possess a BS or MS in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Network Engineering, or a related technical discipline, along with over 12 years of progressive network engineering experience, including at least 3 years in hyperscale, high-density, or HPC data center environments. Essential qualifications include expert-level knowledge of data center routing and switching protocols such as BGP, OSPF, and EVPN-VXLAN architectures, strong operational understanding of RDMA networking technologies like RoCEv2 or InfiniBand, hands-on experience with modern merchant silicon networking platforms and NOS platforms such as Arista EOS, Cisco NX-OS, or SONiC, and proficiency in automation and scripting languages like Python, Go, or Bash.
Graphcore offers a competitive salary and benefits package, including flexible working arrangements, a generous annual leave policy, private medical insurance, a health cash plan, a dental plan, pension matching up to 5%, life assurance, and income protection. The company also provides a generous parental leave policy and an employee assistance program covering health, mental wellbeing, and bereavement support. Employees enjoy a range of healthy food and snacks at the central Bristol office, which features its own barista bar.
Graphcore fosters a culture of continuous learning and constant innovation, bringing together diverse teams of AI research specialists, silicon designers, software engineers, and systems architects. The company is committed to building an inclusive work environment that makes Graphcore a great home for everyone, offering equal opportunities and understanding the visible and invisible differences in all individuals. Graphcore provides a flexible approach to interviews and encourages candidates to discuss any reasonable adjustments they may require.