Principal System Software Engineer - CUDA Driver
NVIDIA is hiring a Principal System Software Engineer - CUDA Driver in Santa Clara, United States. It pays $272k-$431k a year and Level rates it ; you can apply on Level.
AI in this role
We are hiring senior engineers to work on the CUDA driver, a core component of our platform for accelerating general purpose computation on the GPU. Our team delivers features and improvements to better realize the potential of NVIDIA hardware for a growing range of computational workloads, ranging from deep learning, scientific computation, and self-driving cars to video games and virtual reality!
CUDA defines a unified programming model across a range of system configurations and hardware capabilities. To accomplish this, the CUDA driver interacts with GPU hardware, kernel mode drivers, switches and the operating system.
What you'll be doing:
As a member of our team, you will use your design abilities, coding expertise, and creativity to deliver the best Compute platform in the world. You will craft elegant solutions to exciting problems and craft the future direction of CUDA as you collaborate with your peers across NVIDIA.
You will evangelize, architect, and implement new CUDA features
You'll oversee and drive development efforts across multiple teams
Collaborate with members of hardware architecture teams
Help define forward-looking improvements to the CUDA APIs and programming model
Design and maintain performance and precision modeling
Write effective, maintainable, and well-tested code
Develop code for multiple operating systems
What we need to see:
Bachelor of Science or Master of Science degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience)
15+ years of relevant systems software development experience
Strong C programming skills
Experience designing, debugging, and maintaining complex software stacks
Background with operating system interfaces for threads, process control, and virtual memory
Experience with HW/SW co-design, perf. modeling using emulation/simulation, creating SW programming model exposures for HW features
Expert interpersonal, verbal, and written communications skills with a capability to achieve objectives under tight deadlines
Strong collaborative and interpersonal skills, specifically a proven ability to effectively guide and influence within a dynamic matrix environment
Ways to stand out from the crowd:
You have an understanding of system level architecture, such as interconnects, memory hierarchy, interrupts, and memory-mapped IO
Designing and implementing drivers programming rich HW acceleration engines and software verification testplans.
Knowledge of CPU, GPU architectures, memory coherence and consistency models
Some background with kernel mode development
Some familiarity with C++
NVIDIA is leading the way in groundbreaking developments in Artificial Intelligence, High-Performance Computing and Visualization. The GPU, our invention, serves as the visual cortex of modern computers and is at the heart of our products and services. Our work opens up new universes to explore, enables amazing creativity and discovery, and powers what were once science fiction inventions from artificial intelligence to autonomous cars. NVIDIA is looking for phenomenal people like you to help us accelerate the next wave of artificial intelligence. NVIDIA is 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. If you're creative and autonomous, we want to hear from you!
Your base salary will be determined based on your location, experience, and the pay of employees in similar positions. The base salary range is 272,000 USD - 431,250 USD.You will also be eligible for equity and benefits.
Applications for this job will be accepted at least until October 18, 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 System Software Engineer - CUDA Driver at NVIDIA rates 81 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. Open the description and count.
Prepare for this job
Built from this posting and from similar jobs on Level.
Also common in software engineer jobs at this level
Pay
- This job starts at
- $272k
- Typical software engineer job
- $168k
This posting starts 62% above the typical software engineer job. See software engineer jobs
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