Principal Developer, AI Networking
NVIDIA is hiring a Principal Developer, AI Networking in Santa Clara, United States. It pays $272k-$431k a year and Level rates it ; you can apply on NVIDIA.
Level's read on this job
- Level rates this role Builds AI ●●●●: the job is building AI systems.
- Tools and skills the posting cites include PyTorch and TensorFlow.
- Level classifies it as a lead role.
- Level lists 2,700+ other open roles at NVIDIA.
AI in this role
NVIDIA has been transforming computer graphics, PC gaming, and accelerated computing for more than 25 years. It’s a unique legacy of innovation that’s fueled by great technology—and amazing people. Today, we’re tapping into the unlimited potential of AI to define the next era of computing. An era in which our GPU acts as the brains of computers, robots, and self-driving cars that can understand the world. Doing what’s never been done before takes vision, innovation, and the world’s best talent. As an NVIDIAN, you’ll be immersed in a diverse, supportive environment where everyone is inspired to do their best work. Come join the team and see how you can make a lasting impact on the world.
The AI Networking Codesign and Benchmarking R&D group requires a senior software engineer. In this exciting role, you will profile, analyze, and optimize AI workloads on large-scale GPU and CPU clusters used for distributed Deep Learning LLM training and inference. Your primary focus will be collectives communication and networking. You will work across hardware components such as HCAs, Switches, CPUs, GPUs, and Systems. You will also engage with software layers including LLM applications, machine learning frameworks, communication, and computing libraries. Moreover, you will build performance analysis tools and strategies to investigate details and clarify performance expectations, limitations, and bottlenecks. This is your chance to contribute to AI innovation!
What you'll be doing:
Characterizing AI workloads and deep learning models aimed at large-scale LLM training and inference on NVIDIA supercomputers. The role centers on distributed systems with a focus on high-performance networking and NVIDIA communication libraries.
Benchmarking, profiling, and analyzing the performance to find bottlenecks and identify areas for improvement and optimizations, with a strong emphasis on networking aspects.
Developing PyTorch trace-based profiling, analysis, and replaying toolset to aid in benchmarking, debugging, and co-designing network systems for LLM workloads.
Collaborating with multiple teams from hardware to software to provide performance analysis insights.
Defining performance test plans, setting performance expectations for new technologies and solutions, and working to achieve performance targets.
What we need to see:
B.Sc in Computer Science or Software Engineering or equivalent experience.
15+ years of experience with high-performance networking (RDMA, MPI, NCCL, SHARP).
Demonstrated ability in performance evaluation techniques and approaches.
Experience with NVIDIA GPUs and the CUDA library. Knowledge of deep learning frameworks like TensorFlow or PyTorch. Expertise in networking collective communication libraries such as NCCL and protocols like RoCE and RDMA.
Fast and self-learning capabilities with strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
Proficiency in programming languages: Python, Bash, and C++.
Experience with a container-based development environment.
Great teammate who communicates clearly and works well with others.
Ways to stand out from the crowd:
Extensive understanding and hands-on experience with AI workloads and benchmarking for distributed LLM training.
Knowledge in PyTorch, CUDA, and NCCL libraries.
Comprehensive system knowledge and understanding (Intel / AMD / ARM CPUs, NVIDIA GPUs, HCA, Memory, PCI).
Strong capabilities in performance evaluation and methods using contemporary tools.
With competitive salaries and a generous benefits package, we are widely considered to be one of the technology world’s most desirable employers. We have some of the most forward-thinking and hardworking people in the world working for us and, due to unprecedented growth, our exclusive engineering teams are rapidly growing. If you're a creative and autonomous engineer with a real passion for technology, we want to hear from you.
Your base salary will be determined based on your location, experience, and other objective job-related factors. The expected base salary ranges for this position are:272,000 USD – 431,250 USD for Level 6; and 320,000 USD – 488,750 USD for Level 7.
You will also be eligible for equity and benefits.
Applications for this job will be accepted at least until November 3, 2026.This posting is for an existing vacancy.
NVIDIA uses AI tools in its recruiting processes.
NVIDIA is committed to fostering an inclusive work environment and proud to be an equal opportunity employer. As we highly value diversity in our current and future employees, we do not discriminate (including in our hiring and promotion practices) on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status or any other characteristic protected by law.How we rate this
Principal Developer, AI Networking at NVIDIA rates 88 out of 100 for how much of the daily work is AI. That makes it Builds AI (AI Level 4 of 4). The level is about AI in the job, not seniority.
Builds AI. The job is building AI systems.
- ●●●● Builds AI80 to 100
- ●●●○ Works on AI60 to 79
- ●●○○ Uses AI40 to 59
- ●○○○ Little AI0 to 39
Levels come from how often the tools, models and workflows of the role are named in the posting itself. Read the description and count the AI tools, models and workflows it names.
Prepare for this job
Built from this posting and from similar jobs on Level.
Skills and AI tools this role asks for
Questions you could be asked
- What's a project where you used PyTorch hands-on?
- Walk me through how you've used TensorFlow in your day-to-day work.
- How would you decide a model or AI system is ready to ship?
- Tell me about a time a model underperformed in production. How did you find out, and what did you change?
Adapt your resume
- List these exact terms on your resume: PyTorch and TensorFlow. An applicant tracking system matches the wording, not the idea.
- Attach one line of real, concrete experience to at least one of them. A tool named with nothing behind it rarely survives a human read.
- Lead with what you built, trained or shipped. This role is judged on the AI system itself, not the tools around it.
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