Director, Silicon Logical Design

Axelera AI

About Us Axelera AI is not your regular deep-tech startup. We are creating the next-generation AI platform to support anyone who wants to help advancing humanity and improve the world around us. In just four years, we have raised a total of $370 million and have built a world-class team of 220+ employees (including 49+ PhDs with more than 40,000 citations), both remotely from 18 different countries and with offices in Belgium, France, Switzerland, Italy, the UK, headquartered at the High Tech Campus in Eindhoven, Netherlands. We have also launched our Metis™ AI Platform, which achieves a 3-5x increase in efficiency and performance, and have visibility into a strong business pipeline exceeding $100 million. Our unwavering commitment to innovation has firmly established us as a global industry pioneer. Are you up for the challenge? Position Overview We are seeking a Director of Silicon Logical Design to lead and scale our digital design organization. In this role, you will be responsible for the architectural realization, RTL implementation, and integration of complex AI accelerator SoCs from specification through tape-out. You will combine deep technical expertise with strong people leadership to drive execution, quality, and innovation across multiple silicon programs. This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who thrives at the intersection of architecture, implementation, and team building in a fast-paced startup environment. Key responsibilities: * Lead and grow the silicon logical (digital) design team, including RTL, integration, and design methodology * Drive the translation of system and micro-architecture specifications into high-quality RTL implementations * Own the end-to-end logical design execution for one or more SoCs, from concept through tape-out * Partner closely with architecture, verification, physical design, DFT, software, and product teams to ensure robust and scalable designs * Define and enforce best practices for RTL quality, coding standards, reuse, and design reviews * Oversee block-level and top-level integration, ensuring performance, power, area, and schedule targets are met * Support bring-up, debug, and silicon validation activities, including root-cause analysis of silicon issues * Contribute to long-term technology and roadmap planning, including IP strategy and future architecture directions * Mentor and develop engineers, fostering a culture of technical excellence, ownership, and collaboration Qualifications: * Extensive experience in digital / logical design for complex SoCs, with multiple successful tape-outs * Proven ability to lead and grow high-performing silicon design teams * Strong expertise in RTL and micro-architecture development (SystemVerilog / Verilog) * Experience with large-scale SoC integration, including CPUs, accelerators, memory subsystems, and interconnects * Solid understanding of performance, power, and area trade-offs in advanced process nodes * Experience working closely with verification and physical design teams to achieve functional and timing closure * Strong communication skills and the ability to operate at both strategic and hands-on technical levels + Preferred: * Experience with AI/ML accelerators, GPUs, NPUs, or high-performance compute architectures * Familiarity with industry-standard interconnects (e.g., AXI, NoC architectures) * Knowledge of low-power design techniques and multi-clock / multi-voltage systems * Experience with silicon bring-up, post-silicon debug, and root-cause analysis * Experience working in a startup or fast-scaling environment Location We offer a flexible working arrangement, with options to: * Work from one of our Axelera AI offices (Leuven in Belgium, Amsterdam and Eindhoven in the Netherlands, Zurich in Switzerland, Florence and Milan in Italy or Bristol in the United Kingdom) if you're already based in the vicinity. * Work fully remotely from any European country (incl. the UK) you are already in. * Relocate with us and work from Italy (Florence or Milan) or the Netherlands (Amsterdam or Eindhoven). What we offer  This is your chance to shape and be part of a dynamic, fast-growing, international organization. We offer an attractive compensation package, including a pension plan, extensive employee insurances and the option to get company shares.    An open culture that supports creativity and continual innovation is awaiting you. Collaborative ownership and freedom with responsibility is characteristic for the way we act and work as a team.  At Axelera AI, we wholeheartedly embrace equal opportunity and hold diversity in the highest regard. Our steadfast commitment is to cultivate a warm and inclusive environment that empowers and celebrates every member of our team. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds to join us in shaping the future of AI.

Graphcore

About Graphcore  At Graphcore, we’re building the future of AI compute. We’re a team of semiconductor, software and AI experts, with deep experience in creating the complete AI compute stack - from silicon and software to infrastructure at datacenter scale. As part of the SoftBank Group, backed by significant long-term investment, we are delivering key technology into the fast-growing SoftBank AI ecosystem. To meet the vast and exciting AI opportunity, Graphcore is expanding its teams around the world. We are bringing together the brightest minds to solve the toughest problems, in a place where everyone has the opportunity to make an impact on the company, our products and the future of artificial intelligence.  The Team  The Verification team sits within the Silicon Design organisation. We ensure that the RTL delivered by Logical Design and used by Physical Design team implements Graphcore’s architectural needs and meets the company's quality standards.  As a Director of Silicon Verification, you will help lead this multi-site organisation, define verification strategies across multiple silicon programs, and drive best in class execution to ensure high-quality, high-performance silicon delivery.    Role Summary  We are seeking a proven leader to help direct Graphcore’s verification strategy and methodologies. This role sets direction for the verification lifecycle including - planning, infrastructure, execution, coverage closure, debug strategy and sign-off for Graphcore’s complex, high performance AI accelerators.  Reporting to the Senior Director of Verification the Director will partner closely with other teams such as Architecture, Logical Design, Physical Design, DFT, Systems as well as Program Management teams to ensure accurate implementation, accelerated debug cycles, high coverage confidence and predictable silicon delivery.    Responsibilities   Leadership & Strategy  * Define the long-term vision, roadmap and strategy for silicon functional verification across all Graphcore silicon programs.  * Build, lead, and develop a high performing, globally distributed verification organisation.  * Establish scalable methodologies, leading edge verification techniques, and best practice processes.  * Drive automation, tooling and infrastructure evolution to improve productivity and verification quality.  * Evaluate emerging tools and technologies and drive adoption to deliver competitive advantage.   Technical Ownership  * Own verification planning, execution and sign off for all RTL blocks and top-level SoCs.  * Oversee definition of test plans including functional coverage targets. Drive close through prioritisation of test content and coverage signoff. Iterate plans to close verification gaps.  * Direct debugging strategies, triage processes and root-cause analysis workflows to enhance team productivity.  * Steer integration of verification technologies including formal methods, simulation acceleration/emulation and system level validation.  Cross Functional Collaboration  * Ensure high quality feedback to other functions within the Silicon Team.   * Partner with Architecture to influence and refine specifications for verifiability and risk reduction.  * Collaborate with Logical Design to align on design intent, architectural corner cases and test scenarios.  * Work closely with Physical Design and DFT teams to ensure coherent verification of interfaces, timing assumptions and test structures.  * Lead post-silicon debug alignment where needed, ensuring learning cycles feed back into RTL and verification methodology.    Execution & Delivery  * Deliver verification sign off on schedule across multiple parallel projects.  * Guide program risk management, resource planning, milestone creation, and verification budgeting.  * Drive consistent metrics-based verification management (structural and functional coverage, bug funnels, simulation performance, CI health, etc.).  * Provide scheduled reports into program management on progress with associated metrics based collaterol.    Essential Skills  * Demonstrated ability to lead, scale and inspire high performing verification teams.  * Extensive verification leadership experience within CPU, GPU, ASIC or SoC environments.  * Deep understanding of modern verification methodologies, flows, and infrastructure.  * Strong capability in SystemVerilog, Python, C++ and Linux-based workflows.  * Expertise in diagnosing complex logic issues across RTL, testbench and system level domains.  * Strong communication, collaboration and stakeholder management skills across global sites.    Desirable Skills  * UVM and advanced SystemVerilog Assertions (SVA).  * Experience with assembly languages and compiler toolchains (LLVM, GCC).  * Knowledge of DVCS tools (e.g., Git).  * Familiarity with distributed compute systems (SGE or other DRMS).  * Experience with XML, XPath/XSLT.  * Web technologies such as HTML/DOM, JavaScript, SQL.  * Exposure to emulation, FPGA prototyping, or formal verification tools.    BENEFITS In addition to a competitive salary, Graphcore offers flexible working, a generous annual leave policy, private medical insurance and health cash plan, a dental plan, pension (matched up to 5%), life assurance and income protection. We have a generous parental leave policy and an employee assistance programme (which includes health, mental wellbeing, and bereavement support). We offer a range of healthy food and snacks at our central Bristol office and have our own barista bar! We welcome people of different backgrounds and experiences; we’re committed to building an inclusive work environment that makes Graphcore a great home for everyone. We offer an equal opportunity process and understand that there are visible and invisible differences in all of us. We can provide a flexible approach to interview and encourage you to chat to us if you require any reasonable adjustments.

Quantum Motion

ABOUT THE ROLE AND TEAM Quantum Motion is a fast-growing quantum computing scale-up based in London founded by internationally renowned researchers from UCL and Oxford University with over 40 years’ experience in developing qubits and quantum computing architectures. Bringing together state-of-the-art cryogenic facilities and an outstanding interdisciplinary team, we are developing quantum processors based on industrial-grade silicon chips, with the potential to radically transform computing power in areas such as materials modelling, medicine, artificial intelligence and more. OUR TEAM Since 2021 our team has been listed every year in the “Top 100 Startups worth watching” in the EE Times in 2021 and 2022, and our technology breakthroughs have been featured in The Telegraph, BBC and the New Statesman. Our founders are internationally renowned researchers from UCL and Oxford University who have pioneered the development of qubits and quantum computing architectures. Our chairman is the co-founder of Cadence and Synopsys, the two leading companies in the area of Electronic Design Automation. We’re backed by a team of top-tier investors including Bosch Ventures, Porsche SE, Sony Innovation Fund, Oxford Sciences Innovations, INKEF Capital and Octopus Ventures, and we have so far raised over £62 million in equity and grant funding.    We bring together the brightest quantum engineers, integrated circuit (IC) engineers, quantum computing theoreticians and software engineers to create a unique, world-leading team, working together closely to maximise our combined expertise. Our collaborative and interdisciplinary culture is an ideal fit for anyone who thrives in a cutting-edge research and development environment focused on tackling big challenges and contributing to the development of scalable quantum computers based on silicon technology.   Our team of 100+ is based across London, Oxford, San Sebastián and Sydney, with our primary hub in Islington (London). FUNCTIONS OF THE ROLE The Cloud Engineering Team builds cloud-based solutions, supports the cloud platform and helps to drive its adoption and expansion while also collaborating with other teams. Within the Cloud Engineering team,  the IT & Systems Support team looks after the on-prem IT infrastructure, corporate networks and end-user computing setups. The primary function of this position is to act as the go-to person for internal IT support (1st and 2nd line), keeping our on-site hardware, operating systems and active directory services running smoothly whilst delivering excellent internal customer service.  The primary function of this position will be to collaborate with a tight-knit team for the successful management and maintenance of IT systems and services to ensure that the production services perform effectively, while maintaining a high level of internal customer satisfaction. This includes developing, maintaining, supporting, and optimising key functional areas, particularly server, network and on-prem infrastructure. You will troubleshoot and resolve hardware, software and process problems in a timely and effective fashion.   This is a rare and exciting opportunity to be an early employee at a start-up shaping the future of quantum computing. There are vast opportunities for professional growth and to make an impact within the company.    As a Technical Support Engineer, the position will suit someone who has a strong problem-solving mindset, demonstrates critical-thinking and passion for automating tasks. Due to the nature of on-prem infrastructure, some tasks may require to be on site.  EXPERIENCE - ESSENTIALS * Be a highly collaborative and outgoing individual, a keen team player that can provide excellent customer service and support * Provide 1st/2nd line technical support for desktops, laptops, mobile devices, servers, and applications. * Managing incidents and service requests through our IT ticketing system * Support onboarding and offboarding, including asset management, inventory tracking, Active Directory and lifecycle management of IT equipment. *  Maintain IT documentation, inventory tracking and hardware assets. Collaborate in the maintenance, configuration and secure operation of on-site and cloud-based infrastructure.  * Collaborate in the general IT infrastructure maintenance to optimise existing workflows and enable new ways of working.  EXPERIENCE - DESIRABLE * Strong collaborative with good communication and interpersonal skills * A logical approach to problem solving  * Manage incidents, service requests, and problems through the ticketing system * Support onboarding and offboarding of users, including account provisioning and access control * Ability to install, configure, maintain and troubleshoot bare metal and virtual servers * Knowledge of Active Directory and or Microsoft 365 suite, Windows Server and Windows * Familiarity with Windows, MacOS and Linux * Willing to work with Python, bash scripting and PowerShell * Familiarity with networking equipment. Understanding of networking fundamentals (TCP/IP, VLANs, routing, firewalls) * Familiarity with virtualisation (VMware, Hyper-V, Proxmox) and/or cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) * Demonstrated adaptability in a start-up environment, ability to navigate and contribute to opportunities that arises  BENEFITS * Be part of a creative, world-leading team * Competitive salary and share options scheme * Contributory pension scheme * Choose your own laptop/kit  * Life Assurance * Cycle-to-work Scheme  * Flexible working * Central London location EEO STATEMENT Quantum Motion is committed to providing equal employment opportunity and does not discriminate based on age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, race, colour, religion, disability status, marital status, pregnancy, gender reassignment or any other protected characteristics covered by the Equality Act 2010.