NVIDIA Corporation

Senior System Software Engineer – Data Center Compute Diagnostics

NVIDIA Corporation$224K — $356K *
Information Technology
11 - 15 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 12+ years of experience in software engineering related to embedded systems or firmware
  • Proficient in C/C++ and Python programming languages
  • Experience leading complex technical projects and mentoring engineers
  • Strong background in hardware interaction and low-level system diagnostics
  • Familiarity with PCIe, NVLink, or networking technologies like Ethernet
  • Understanding of computer architecture concepts and hardware error behavior
  • Proficient in debugging across various system layers including hardware and software.

Responsibilities

  • Architect and develop diagnostic software for advanced hardware systems
  • Lead multi-engineer projects, breaking down problems and mentoring teams
  • Interface with firmware and low-level hardware debugging tools
  • Define and implement effective validation strategies for new hardware features
  • Design tests for various computing subsystems and interfaces
  • Create diagnostic workloads from low-level GPU tests to higher-level AI workloads
  • Investigate and analyze complex hardware and software issues across systems.

Benefits

  • Equity participation in the company
  • Access to modern development and analysis tools
  • Opportunities to work on cutting-edge technology in AI systems
  • Collaborative and fast-paced work environment
  • Professional development and mentorship opportunities.
Full Job Description

We are seeking a senior system software engineer to lead technically and own key parts of our low-level diagnostic software. This software supports next-generation data center GPUs and rack-scale AI systems. Our team builds software that exercises and validates complex hardware, including processing units, storage and cache architectures, NICs, PCIe and NVLink interfaces, power delivery, and thermal behavior. This role is well suited to a senior embedded, firmware, device-driver, hardware-validation, or systems software engineer with a record of leading complex software projects that directly interface with hardware. Relevant experience may come from GPUs, CPUs, networking, storage, servers, embedded systems, or other complex silicon-based products. Prior GPU, CUDA, or GEMM experience is helpful for the role; deep experience developing low-level software for complex hardware systems is required.

This is a hands-on software development role in which you will architect, implement, debug, and maintain key components of the diagnostic software through validation, productization, and field support. In addition to making substantial individual code contributions, you will lead complex development efforts, mentor other engineers, and collaborate with hardware architects, driver developers, silicon-validation engineers, manufacturing teams, and field engineers to bring up new hardware and diagnose difficult system failures. Join an exciting, rewarding, and fast-moving environment building the systems that power modern AI.

What you’ll be doing:

  • Architecting and developing diagnostic and stress software in C/C++ and Python for complex hardware systems.

  • Leading development efforts across multiple engineers, breaking ambiguous problems into actionable work, and mentoring engineers in low-level software development and debugging.

  • Interfacing with hardware blocks, firmware, Linux device drivers, registers, telemetry, and low-level debugging tools.

  • Assessing new hardware features and defining effective diagnostic and stress strategies for engineering validation, manufacturing, product qualification, and field use.

  • Designing targeted tests for compute engines, memory and cache subsystems, DMA engines, NICs, PCIe/NVLink interfaces, power, and thermal behavior.

  • Developing diagnostic and stress workloads ranging from low-level tests for GPU hardware to higher-level AI workloads using CUDA programming, GEMM-style compute, NCCL, and PyTorch.

  • Investigating complex hardware and software failures involving memory errors, ECC, data integrity, performance, thermals, voltage/frequency behavior, and high-speed interfaces.

  • Using modern development and analysis tools, including AI-assisted tools where appropriate, to accelerate coding, debugging, test creation, and failure analysis.

What we need to see:

  • BS or MS degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field, or equivalent experience.

  • 12+ years of experience in embedded software, firmware, Linux device drivers, systems software, hardware validation, diagnostics, or silicon bring-up.

  • Experience providing technical leadership for a complex software component or project, including coordinating work among various engineers and mentoring others.

  • Strong programming skills in C and C++, plus working proficiency in Python.

  • Extensive experience developing software that interacts with hardware, firmware, device drivers, hardware registers, or other low-level interfaces.

  • Background with PCIe, NVLink, or networking technologies such as Ethernet or InfiniBand.

  • Strong understanding of computer architecture concepts such as memory systems, caches, interrupts, DMA, buses, device I/O, bandwidth constraints, and hardware error behavior.

  • Experience debugging complex failures across hardware, firmware, device drivers, operating systems, and applications.

  • Ability to define technical direction, make sound engineering tradeoffs, and drive ambiguous problems through completion across organizational boundaries.

  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively with hardware architects, software engineers, manufacturing teams, field engineers, and technical leadership.

Your base salary will be determined based on your location, experience, and the pay of employees in similar positions. The base salary range is 224,000 USD - 356,500 USD.

You will also be eligible for equity and .

Applications for this job will be accepted at least until August 3, 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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