Hardware System Test Engineer

Hardware System Test Engineer Overview

Fractile is seeking a Hardware System Test Engineer to join their team in Bristol. Founded in 2022, Fractile is dedicated to revolutionizing the hardware that supports advanced AI systems, aiming to enhance the speed and efficiency of output generation. The company is focused on addressing the challenges of inference speed in AI, which is crucial for various fields such as drug discovery and software engineering.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain system-level hardware defect detection tests for individual servers and rack-based systems.
• Implement tests to identify assembly defects, marginal components, damaged hardware, cabling or interconnect issues, and cooling faults.
• Create service and field diagnostic tests for RMA triage, repair validation, and preventative maintenance.
• Design deterministic, fast-running tests with clear pass/fail criteria and actionable failure outputs for manufacturing and service technicians.
• Develop PCIe defect detection tests to identify lane faults, link degradation, polarity issues, retimer problems, and intermittent connectivity failures.
• Conduct stress and soak tests to expose latent or marginal hardware issues.
• Debug test failures and hardware issues, performing root-cause analysis and escalating design or process issues as appropriate.
• Analyze factory and field failure data to identify coverage gaps and propose test improvements.
• Support the deployment, versioning, and maintenance of test software across factory and service environments.
• Collaborate with software development teams to integrate tests into production system software.
• Work with hardware, manufacturing, service, and reliability teams to ensure tests align with known defect modes and operational needs.

Required Qualifications

• 3–7 years of experience in system, server, or hardware test engineering, preferably in manufacturing or service environments.
• Solid understanding of server hardware architectures, PCIe fabrics, power delivery, cooling systems, and common failure modes.
• Hands-on experience developing or executing hardware defect detection or diagnostic tests.
• Experience working in Linux-based test environments.
• Familiarity with BMC-based systems and basic use of OpenBMC or Redfish interfaces.
• Strong debug skills and the ability to distinguish test issues from real hardware faults.
• Ability to write clear test code, logs, and documentation for operational use.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with AI accelerator, GPU, or high-performance compute servers.
• Exposure to PCIe Gen4/5/6 systems or other high-speed serial interconnects.
• Experience diagnosing intermittent, marginal, or temperature-dependent hardware failures.
• Experience working with liquid-cooled or thermally complex server platforms.

How We Work

At Fractile, we value ownership and execution, allowing you to drive your work forward. We emphasize rapid iteration, working closely with top leadership to transition from ideas to hardware swiftly. Our teams engage in full-stack collaboration across hardware, software, silicon, and modeling to create impactful products. We foster an optimistic and pragmatic environment, encouraging a team player mentality where the mission transcends individual contributions.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary reflective of your experience and the specialist nature of the role.
• Equity and ownership opportunities for meaningful participation in value creation.
• Comprehensive benefits including Private Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance.
• Contributory Pension plan.
• 25 days of holiday plus bank holidays.
• Life and Critical Illness Insurance.

Fractile is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace, believing that the hardest problems are best solved by a wide range of perspectives. Join us in our mission to increase the clock speed of global progress, one chip at a time.

Degree Requirement: Not Specified

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