Principal Cloud Engineer

📋 Job Overview

Build the cloud platform that powers Graphcore’s next generation AI systems.

As a Principal Cloud Engineer, you will help develop, deploy and operate cloud services across Graphcore’s AI infrastructure. You will work on private and public cloud systems used by internal teams and customers.

Your work will shape how high-performance AI systems are integrated, validated, benchmarked and optimised. You will help keep complex infrastructure reliable, observable and ready for demanding workloads.

You will own significant technical initiatives, from OpenStack-based services to Infrastructure-as-Code automation. You will also mentor engineers and turn user needs into services that perform at scale.

This role puts you close to pre-release hardware, advanced systems and real product challenges.

🏢 About Graphcore

Graphcore is one of the world’s leading innovators in Artificial Intelligence compute. It 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.

As 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.

Graphcore’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 brings together deep expertise to solve complex problems and deliver meaningful progress in AI compute.

🎯 The Role

The Cloud Platform Team sits within Software Platform and works closely with Software Platform, Datacentre Operations and Product Development. The team builds systems for internal users and customers, often using new components before they are proven.

Work moves through practical engineering, clear ownership and fast feedback from users. You will be expected to take responsibility, speak up early and lead critical infrastructure work without close oversight.

Decisions are grounded in evidence from benchmarks, observability data and operational performance. The team values engineers who can think big, act fast and bring others with them.

✅ Key Responsibilities

• Develop, deploy and operate cloud services across Graphcore’s AI infrastructure.
• Work on private and public cloud systems used by internal teams and customers.
• Shape how high-performance AI systems are integrated, validated, benchmarked and optimised.
• Keep complex infrastructure reliable, observable and ready for demanding workloads.
• Own significant technical initiatives, from OpenStack-based services to Infrastructure-as-Code automation.
• Mentor engineers and turn user needs into services that perform at scale.
• Work with pre-release hardware, advanced systems and real product challenges.

📌 Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent practical experience in a relevant subject.
• Strong infrastructure or IT background, with private-cloud or on-premises cloud experience.
• Expert Linux system administration and scripting skills, including bash and Python.
• Hands-on experience with Infrastructure-as-Code tools such as Terraform/OpenTofu, Ansible or Packer.
• Experience with CI or testing pipelines, version control and cloud service deployment.
• Strong communication skills, with the judgement to lead critical work and support end users.

🎁 Benefits

• Flexible working: Balance your work and personal life with greater flexibility
• Generous leave: Take time to rest, recharge and enjoy life outside of work
• 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
• 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

🛂 Visa & Eligibility

Applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide visa sponsorship or support visa applications for this role.