2026 UX Design Intern

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: 2026 UX Design Intern

Company: Graphcore

Location: Bristol, UK

Job Type: Internship

Category: User Experience (UX) Design / Product Design Operations

Date Posted: 2026-02-27

Experience Level: 0-2 Years (Internship)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This internship focuses on applying User Experience (UX) and Interface (UI) design principles within a cutting-edge Artificial Intelligence (AI) hardware and software company.

• The role involves hands-on contribution to the design lifecycle, from initial concept sketching and wireframing to supporting usability research and contributing to a design system.

• Interns will gain practical experience collaborating with experienced designers and engineers in an Agile environment, specifically within the context of developer tools for AI workloads.

• This position is ideal for students passionate about user-centered design, seeking to build a portfolio with real-world technical product experience and gain exposure to the AI industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "UX Design Intern," the context of supporting software for understanding, optimizing, and debugging AI workloads on specialized hardware positions this role within a technical product operations framework. The responsibilities lean towards the practical application of design within a product development lifecycle, with a strong emphasis on developer tools.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• UI Design Support: Create sketches, wireframes, and basic high-fidelity designs for user interfaces, translating complex technical requirements into intuitive user experiences.

• Usability Research Assistance: Actively participate in usability research activities, including taking detailed notes during sessions, assisting with participant recruitment, and contributing to the analysis of findings.

• Research Documentation: Aid in documenting research findings and insights, ensuring they are organized and accessible within a centralized research repository for the team.

• Design System Contribution: Contribute to "Decagon," Graphcore's internal design library, by creating new components or refining existing ones under the guidance of senior designers.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Engage with UX designers and software engineers during sprint planning and execution, participating in design reviews and providing constructive feedback.

• Best Practice Application: Learn, understand, and apply established UX/UI best practices and user-centered design principles within a professional product development setting.

• Technical Workflow Understanding: Gain familiarity with the workflows and challenges faced by users (developers, researchers) interacting with Graphcore's AI hardware and software.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strong emphasis on supporting the design process rather than leading it, which is typical for an internship. The mention of "Decagon" indicates a need for understanding and contributing to a design system, a crucial element in maintaining consistency and efficiency in product development operations.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• Demonstrated foundational experience in UX/UI design through coursework, personal projects, or previous internships.

Required Skills:

• Design Tool Proficiency: Basic experience with industry-standard design and prototyping tools like Figma or Adobe XD.

• User-Centered Design: A strong, demonstrable interest in UX/UI design principles and a commitment to user-centered design methodologies.

• Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate design ideas and feedback clearly.

• Eagerness to Learn: A proactive attitude and a strong desire to learn and absorb new information and skills within a technical domain.

• Portfolio: A portfolio (PDF or link) showcasing examples of coursework, personal projects, or previous design work that illustrates design thinking and problem-solving capabilities.

Preferred Skills:

• Usability Testing: Prior exposure to or understanding of usability testing methodologies and user research techniques.

• Agile Familiarity: Basic knowledge of Agile development processes or experience working within a team-based project structure.

• Technical Product Interest: A genuine interest in complex, technical products, particularly those aimed at developers or researchers in the AI/ML space.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio is critical for this role. Candidates should curate projects that demonstrate their understanding of user needs, problem-solving approaches, and the ability to translate concepts into visual designs, even if they are academic or personal projects.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Design Process Documentation: Showcase examples within your portfolio that clearly outline your design process, from initial problem definition and user research to ideation, prototyping, and iteration.

• Visual Design Examples: Include wireframes, mockups, and interactive prototypes that demonstrate your ability to create clear, functional, and aesthetically pleasing user interfaces.

• User Research Insights: If possible, include examples of how user research informed your design decisions, even if it's through mock research scenarios or analysis of existing products.

• Tool Proficiency Showcase: Highlight projects where you utilized design tools like Figma or Adobe XD, demonstrating your practical skills in these platforms.

Process Documentation:

• While formal process documentation is not expected at the intern level, demonstrating an understanding of how designs fit into a larger product development workflow (e.g., Agile sprints, handoff to engineering) will be beneficial.

• Show an awareness of how design elements contribute to the overall usability and efficiency of technical software.

📝 Enhancement Note: For an intern, the portfolio is less about proven ROI and more about demonstrating potential, process understanding, and foundational skills. Focus on clearly articulating how you approached design problems and why you made certain decisions.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Benefits:

• Competitive Salary: For an internship role.

• Flexible Working: Options for flexible working arrangements.

• Generous Annual Leave: Ample holiday entitlement.

• Private Medical Insurance & Health Cash Plan: Comprehensive health coverage.

• Dental Plan: Access to dental care services.

• Pension Scheme: Matched contributions up to 5%.

• Life Assurance & Income Protection: Financial security measures.

• Generous Parental Leave: Support for new parents.

• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP): Access to support for health, mental wellbeing, and bereavement.

• On-site Amenities: Healthy food, snacks, and a barista bar at the central Bristol office.

• Inclusive Environment: Commitment to diversity and inclusivity.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time working hours, typically around 40 hours per week, with potential for flexibility as part of the company's benefits.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on typical UK tech internship rates for roles requiring design skills in a major city like Bristol. The comprehensive benefits package listed is typical for a full-time employee and may be offered on a pro-rata basis or with some modifications for interns, but reflects Graphcore's commitment to employee wellbeing.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Compute, Hardware, Software, Systems Infrastructure. Graphcore is a key player in developing specialized hardware (AI processors) and accompanying software to accelerate AI research and adoption.

Company Size: Graphcore is a well-established, globally recognized technology company with a significant employee base, operating as part of the SoftBank Group. This implies a structured environment with opportunities for professional development while maintaining an innovative culture.

Founded: Graphcore was founded in 2016. This relatively recent founding, coupled with its rapid growth and focus on transformative AI technology, suggests a dynamic, forward-thinking, and fast-paced work environment.

Team Structure:

• UX Team: The UX team is integrated within the product development structure, specifically supporting software teams focused on developer tools. This means designers work closely with engineers and product managers.

• Reporting Structure: Interns will likely report to a senior UX designer or a UX Manager, with guidance and mentorship provided by experienced team members.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: A strong emphasis on collaboration between UX designers, software engineers, AI researchers, and silicon designers is fundamental to Graphcore's innovation model.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: While not explicitly stated for the intern role, the company's focus on AI and complex technical products suggests that design decisions are increasingly informed by user data and performance metrics.

• Agile Development: The mention of "sprint activities" and "Agile" indicates that design work is integrated into iterative development cycles, requiring adaptability and close teamwork.

• Iterative Design & Testing: The UX team's role in supporting optimization and debugging tools implies a focus on iterative design improvements based on user feedback and performance analysis.

Company Website: https://www.graphcore.ai/

📝 Enhancement Note: Graphcore's position at the forefront of AI innovation means the company culture likely values deep technical understanding, continuous learning, and a collaborative approach to solving complex problems. The UX team's specific focus on developer tools suggests a culture that appreciates precision, efficiency, and empowering technical users.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is an entry-level internship role designed for individuals early in their UX/Product Design career journey. It provides foundational experience in applying design principles within a specialized technology context.

Reporting Structure: Interns typically report to a dedicated mentor or manager within the UX team, who oversees their projects, provides guidance, and facilitates learning. This structure ensures direct support and feedback.

Operations Impact: While interns don't typically drive major strategic decisions, their contributions to UI design, research documentation, and design system components directly impact the usability and efficiency of Graphcore's developer tools. This indirectly supports the broader goal of accelerating AI adoption and innovation.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Development: Significant opportunities to develop practical UX/UI design skills, including proficiency in design tools, wireframing, prototyping, and understanding user research methodologies.

• Industry Exposure: Gain invaluable experience working in the rapidly evolving Artificial Intelligence industry, understanding the unique design challenges of technical products.

• Portfolio Enhancement: Build a robust portfolio with real-world project examples that can significantly boost future job prospects in UX/Product Design.

• Networking: Opportunity to connect with experienced professionals in UX, engineering, and AI research, potentially leading to future career opportunities.

• Mentorship: Receive guidance from experienced designers, learn about industry best practices, and gain insights into career paths within tech product development.

📝 Enhancement Note: This internship serves as a critical stepping stone. The growth is focused on skill acquisition and practical application rather than immediate leadership roles. The key is to absorb as much knowledge and experience as possible to form a strong foundation for a career in UX design, particularly within technical product domains.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Graphcore's Bristol office is described as a "central Bristol office" and offers amenities like healthy food, snacks, and a barista bar, suggesting a modern, well-equipped, and employee-focused workspace.

Office Location(s): The primary location specified is Bristol, UK. This city is a hub for technology and innovation in the UK, offering a vibrant environment.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The emphasis on "sprint activities" and collaboration with designers and engineers indicates a dynamic, team-oriented workspace where open communication is encouraged.

• Tools & Technology: Interns will have access to industry-standard design tools (Figma, Adobe XD) and potentially internal design systems and research repositories. They will work on software designed for complex technical hardware.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities to interact daily with experienced designers and engineers, fostering a learning-rich environment.

Work Schedule: A standard full-time work schedule, likely Monday to Friday, with potential for some flexibility offered by the company. This schedule allows for deep immersion in projects and team activities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement in Bristol suggests an expectation for interns to be present and engaged within the physical office space to maximize learning and collaboration opportunities. The amenities point towards a company that values employee comfort and productivity.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume and portfolio to assess qualifications and alignment with the role.

• Technical Interview/Portfolio Review: A session focused on discussing your portfolio pieces, design process, and understanding of UX principles. Be prepared to walk through specific projects.

• Behavioral/Team Fit Interview: Questions designed to assess communication skills, teamwork, problem-solving approach, and cultural fit with Graphcore's innovative environment.

• Hiring Manager/Team Lead Interview: A final discussion to confirm suitability and answer any remaining questions.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Selectively: Choose 2-3 strong projects that best showcase your skills and align with the role's requirements (UX/UI for technical products).

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem you were trying to solve, your process (research, ideation, design), the tools you used, your role, and the outcome or learnings.

• Highlight Process: Emphasize your design thinking and decision-making process, not just the final visual output. Show your journey.

• Demonstrate Tool Proficiency: Clearly indicate which tools you used for each project and be ready to discuss your comfort level.

• Address Technical Interest: If applicable, highlight any projects or coursework that demonstrate an interest in or understanding of technical products or developer tools.

• Clarity and Conciseness: Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, easy to navigate, and free of errors.

Challenge Preparation:

• While specific design challenges may not always be given in advance for internships, be prepared to discuss hypothetical scenarios related to designing for complex technical products.

• Practice articulating your thought process clearly and concisely when discussing your portfolio projects.

• Research Graphcore's products and the AI industry to better understand the context of the software you might be designing for.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is paramount. It's the primary tool for demonstrating your capabilities as a UX design intern. Be ready to defend your design choices and articulate the "why" behind them, especially in relation to user needs and product goals.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma, Adobe XD (essential, basic experience required). Candidates should be comfortable navigating these tools for wireframing and basic high-fidelity design.

• Collaboration Tools: Likely use of internal communication platforms (e.g., Slack, Microsoft Teams) and project management software (e.g., Jira, Confluence) for Agile sprint activities.

• Design Systems: Familiarity with or exposure to working with/contributing to design systems (like "Decagon") is a plus.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly relevant to this UX design role, but an understanding of how user feedback loops are managed within product development can be advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma or Adobe XD is a non-negotiable requirement. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their experience with these tools and potentially demonstrate their skills during the interview process.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Innovation: Graphcore is at the cutting edge of AI technology, fostering a culture that encourages new ideas and pushing technological boundaries.

• Collaboration: A strong emphasis on teamwork and cross-functional cooperation is vital for tackling complex technical challenges.

• Continuous Learning: The fast-paced nature of AI and technology demands a commitment to ongoing learning and skill development.

• User-Centricity: Despite the technical nature, a core value is understanding and serving the needs of users, particularly developers and researchers.

• Excellence: Striving for high quality and robust solutions in both hardware and software development.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Design is not siloed; it's deeply integrated with engineering and research teams, requiring open communication and shared problem-solving.

• Iterative Feedback: A culture of providing and receiving constructive feedback is essential, especially within Agile sprint cycles.

• Knowledge Sharing: Encouragement to share insights, learning, and best practices across teams to foster collective growth and efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: Aspiring interns should reflect on how their own values align with these principles. Demonstrating an understanding of Graphcore's innovative and collaborative culture will be key to a successful application.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Complexity of Technical Products: Designing intuitive interfaces for complex AI hardware and software tools requires a deep understanding of user needs and technical constraints.

• Bridging Design and Engineering: Effectively communicating design intent to engineers and translating technical constraints into design solutions can be challenging.

• Rapidly Evolving Field: Staying abreast of advancements in AI, UX design, and relevant technologies requires continuous learning and adaptation.

• Contribution within Internship: Making a meaningful impact and contributing tangible work within a defined internship period.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Practical UX/UI Skill Development: Hands-on experience in wireframing, prototyping, and potentially user research.

• Industry Exposure: Gaining a deep understanding of the Artificial Intelligence hardware and software ecosystem.

• Design System Contribution: Learning the principles and practices of contributing to and utilizing a professional design system.

• Professional Networking: Building connections with industry professionals that can shape future career paths.

• Portfolio Building: Creating impactful projects for a professional portfolio.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interns should view these challenges as opportunities to learn and grow. Proactively seeking to understand complex systems and communicate effectively will be key to overcoming them.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Design Process: Be prepared to walk through your portfolio projects, detailing your approach from problem identification to solution. Expect questions like: "Describe a challenging design problem you faced and how you solved it." or "How do you ensure your designs meet user needs?"

• Collaboration: Discuss your experience working in teams. "How do you handle design disagreements with engineers or other stakeholders?" or "Describe a time you collaborated effectively on a project."

• Problem-Solving: You might be asked hypothetical design questions related to optimizing a technical workflow or improving a user interface for a complex tool. Focus on your thought process and how you would approach research and ideation.

Company & Culture Questions:

• Motivation: "Why are you interested in Graphcore and this specific UX internship?" "What do you know about our AI technology?"

• Fit: "What kind of work environment do you thrive in?" "How do you handle feedback?"

• Impact: "How do you think UX design contributes to the success of a technical product like ours?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: For each project, follow a clear narrative: Problem -> Your Role -> Process -> Solution -> Outcome/Learnings.

• Visuals: Use clear, high-quality mockups, wireframes, and prototypes. Annotate key design decisions.

• Conciseness: Be mindful of time. Practice presenting your strongest projects within allocated timeframes.

• Engagement: Be enthusiastic, answer questions thoughtfully, and engage in a dialogue rather than just presenting. Ask clarifying questions if needed.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interviewers will be looking for not just design skills but also your ability to think critically, communicate effectively, and demonstrate a genuine interest in Graphcore's mission and the AI industry.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX Design Internship:

• Submit your application through the provided Greenhouse link.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio is tailored to highlight relevant projects, emphasizing your design process and any experience with technical products or developer tools.

• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to clearly state your current degree program, expected graduation date, relevant coursework, and any design or technical skills. Use keywords like "UX Design," "UI Design," "Figma," "Wireframing," and "User-Centered Design."

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process and project outcomes. Prepare to discuss your interest in Graphcore and the AI industry. Review common UX interview questions.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Graphcore's mission, products, and recent news. Understand their position in the AI compute market to demonstrate genuine interest and contextualize your design thinking.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.