NVIDIA Corporation

AI Inference Performance Engineer - New College Grad 2026

NVIDIA Corporation$124K — $241K *
Enterprise Technology
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • BS, MS, or PhD in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or Electrical Engineering or equivalent experience.
  • 2+ years of relevant software development experience.
  • Strong Python or C++ programming and software design skills.
  • Expertise with a deep learning framework such as PyTorch or JAX.
  • Proven track record of measurable performance improvements in deep learning inference.
  • Deep understanding of LLM/VLM architectures and inference mechanics.

Responsibilities

  • Drive industry benchmark results through optimization implementations in quantization and distributed inference.
  • Define and optimize cutting-edge workloads in AI use cases and collaborate with kernel teams for performance enhancement.
  • Architect distributed inference across single-GPU to rack-scale clusters, managing GPU performance.
  • Establish performance methodology using roofline analysis and systematic profiling to identify bottlenecks.
  • Influence the ecosystem by contributing to open-source projects and collaborating on GPU roadmaps with architecture teams.
  • Provide technical leadership, driving cross-functional projects on tight timelines.

Benefits

  • Equity participation in the company.
  • Diverse work environment with a commitment to equal opportunity employment.
  • Access to cutting-edge AI technologies and infrastructures.
Full Job Description
We optimize and benchmark GenAI inference on NVIDIA's latest accelerators, defining the industry's performance standards across language models, video generation, and speech workloads. We work directly within TensorRT-LLM, SGLang, and vLLM, building the tools that evaluate serving performance at scale. This team sits at the intersection of GPU performance engineering and public accountability.

What You Will Be Doing:
  • Drive industry benchmark results: own the end-to-end optimization pipeline, implement and integrate optimizations in quantization, scheduling, memory management, and distributed inference across TensorRT-LLM, SGLang, and vLLM.
  • Define and optimize cutting-edge workloads: identify and shape next-generation inference benchmarks, multi-turn coding, agentic workflows, and other emerging AI use cases. Collaborate with framework and kernel teams to push performance to its extreme on large-scale LLM-MoE models, vision-language models, video diffusion models, recommendation, and speech workloads.
  • Architect distributed inference: Design and optimize execution from single-GPU to rack-scale clusters, managing performance across clusters of GPUs.
  • Establish performance methodology: Apply roofline analysis and systematic profiling to decompose bottlenecks across CUDA kernels, frameworks, and serving layers.
  • Influence the ecosystem: contribute to TensorRT-LLM, vLLM, SGLang, and other open-source projects. Partner with architecture, kernel, and compiler teams to shape GPU roadmaps based on real workload data.
  • Technical Leadership: Raise the technical bar for the team, drive cross-functional execution on tight benchmark timelines, and lead a world-class team.


What We Need To See:
  • BS, MS, or PhD in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or equivalent experience.
  • 2+ years of relevant software development experience.
  • Strong Python or C++ programming, software design, and software engineering skills.
  • Expertise with a DL framework such as PyTorch or JAX.
  • Proven track record of delivering measurable performance improvements in deep learning inference or high-performance systems.
  • Deep understanding of LLM/VLM architectures and inference mechanics: attention, KV caching, batching strategies, decode-phase bottlenecks, speculative decoding, disaggregated serving etc.


Ways To Stand Out From The Crowd:
  • Prior experience with an LLM framework (TensorRT-LLM, vLLM, SGLang, etc) or a DL compiler in inference, deployment, algorithms, or implementation.
  • Prior experience with performance modeling, profiling, debug, and code optimization of a DL/HPC/high-performance application.
  • Experience with scale-out inference orchestration (MPI, NCCL, K8S) on large GPU clusters.
  • Expertise in kernel development (CUTLASS, cuteDSL, tilelang, OpenAI Triton) or compiler/runtime paths (torch.compile, graph lowering, operator fusion). Architectural knowledge of CPU, GPU, FPGA or other DL accelerators; GPU programming experience (CUDA).
  • Track record of leading ambiguous, high-impact technical programs across multiple teams under tight deadlines.


Your base salary will be determined based on your location, experience, and the pay of employees in similar positions. The base salary range is 124,000 USD - 195,500 USD for Level 2, and 152,000 USD - 241,500 USD for Level 3.

You will also be eligible for equity and benefits.

Applications for this job will be accepted at least until June 7, 2026.

This posting is for an existing vacancy.

NVIDIA uses AI tools in its recruiting processes.

About NVIDIA Corporation

Nvidia, a global leader in graphics, gaming, and AI technology, offers Nvidia careers and internship opportunities for those passionate about driving innovation in the tech industry. you'll find a company committed to growth, teamwork, and leadership in computer science and machine learning domains.

About Nvidia

A Pioneer in Technology and Innovation

Nvidia has cemented its reputation as a powerhouse in developing advanced graphics processing units (GPUs) and has significantly contributed to the gaming industry's evolution. Moreover, its foray into AI and machine learning has opened new frontiers in technology, making Nvidia a beacon of innovation and a desirable workplace for ambitious tech professionals.

Job Opportunities

Diverse Positions in a Dynamic Field

Nvidia is continuously on the lookout for talented individuals across various domains, including hardware and software engineering, product design, marketing, and sales. Employment opportunities at Nvidia are vast, catering to a wide range of expertise and career aspirations.

Employment in Hardware and Graphics

For those fascinated by the intricacies of hardware and graphics technology, Nvidia offers positions that sit at the forefront of gaming and computing advancements.

Growth in Machine Learning and AI

Nvidia's leadership in AI and machine learning has created numerous vacancies for specialists eager to contribute to groundbreaking projects.

Recruitment in Computer Science

With the constant demand for innovation, Nvidia's recruitment efforts focus on computer science experts capable of pushing the boundaries of what's possible.

Internship Program

Opening Doors to Future Innovators

Nvidia's internship program is designed to nurture the next generation of technology leaders, offering hands-on experience in a culture that celebrates creativity and teamwork.

Benefits and Culture

Interns at Nvidia enjoy a plethora of benefits, from competitive stipends to mentorship opportunities, all within an environment that values growth and learning.

Opportunities for Students

Whether you're an undergraduate, a master's student, or a Ph.D. candidate, Nvidia's internships provide a real-world glimpse into the tech industry, offering valuable experience in various technology fields.

Pathways to Full-Time Employment

Many interns have transitioned into full-time positions, marking the start of successful careers at Nvidia. The internship program is more than a stepping stone into the company; it’s an investment in the professional development of interns. The goal is to ensure that interns are well-equipped for future challenges.

Nvidia Careers: More Than Just a Job

Nvidia offers more than just a job to its employees; it provides a front-row seat on the journey into the future of technology. Nvidia stands as a pillar of innovation with its vast opportunities in hardware, graphics, gaming, machine learning, and computer science. Nvidia careers serve as a launching pad for talented workers who aim to redefine the technological landscape. Whether through full-time positions or internships, joining Nvidia means contributing to a legacy of breakthroughs and becoming part of a global community dedicated to pushing the boundaries of what's possible.
Learn more about NVIDIA Corporation
Size
22,473 employees
Market Cap
$350.4 billion
Industry
Net Income
$4.3 billion
Founded
1993
5 Year Trend
+31.3%
Revenue
$16.6 billion
NASDAQ

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