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NVIDIA

Relational Foundation Model Engineer, Modern Data Stack

NVIDIA is hiring a Relational Foundation Model Engineer, Modern Data Stack in Santa Clara, United States. It pays $184k-$288k a year and Level rates it ; you can apply on NVIDIA.

Level's read on this job

  • On Level's scale, this role is Builds AI ●●●●: the job is building AI systems.
  • The posting mentions PyTorch and AI research among its tools and skills.
  • Level classes it as a senior role.
  • NVIDIA has 2,700+ other open roles on Level.

AI in this role

PyTorch
ai-research

NVIDIA is redefining what is possible with AI, and the Relational Foundation Model team is helping lead that transformation. We are building a unified foundation model that can understand the structure, context, and relationships within relational databases and heterogeneous graphs—opening a new frontier for enterprise AI. As an engineer on this team, you will go beyond adapting existing models: you will design, build, and evaluate novel Transformer and graph neural network architectures that generalize across diverse data schemas. Your work will power meaningful applications, including recommendation systems, demand forecasting, fraud detection, and predictive maintenance.

You will partner with world-class researchers and engineers across the full machine learning lifecycle, from architecture exploration and large-scale training to post-training optimization and high-performance inference. This is an opportunity to turn foundational research into production systems that influence how organizations derive intelligence from complex, connected data. NVIDIA foundation models are optimized for NVIDIA-accelerated infrastructure, providing a strong platform for translating advanced AI research into deployable systems. If you are energized by graph learning, relational reasoning, and building AI that moves beyond single-table benchmarks, we would love to hear from you


What you’ll be doing:

  • Collaborate with researchers/engineers to enhance our Transformer and GNN-based models to operate seamlessly over any relational schema and heterogeneous graph.

  • Gain hands-on experience with high-impact use cases such as forecasting, entity matching, customer retention and fraud detection – all built on top of a single, extensible foundation model.

  • Leverage your knowledge in ML and AI to tackle real challenges while contributing to scalable and adaptable solutions that push the boundaries of what’s possible.

  • Work may span the full lifecycle of modern ML systems: from architecture design/training to post-training optimization and inference acceleration.

  • You will contribute to our next generation of the Relational Foundation Model.

What we need to see:

  • MS or PhD in Machine Learning, Computer Science, or equivalent experience

  • Proficiency in Python and deep learning frameworks, such as PyTorch

  • At least 8 years of research experience in designing ML algorithm solutions

  • Practical experience in using Predictive Models in Real World Applications

Ways to stand out from the crowd:

  • Familiarity with graph-based machine learning; publications at venues such as NeurIPS, ICLR, ICML, or similar

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 other objective job-related factors. The expected base salary ranges for this position are:
184,000 USD – 287,500 USD for Level 4; and 224,000 USD – 356,500 USD for Level 5.

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

Relational Foundation Model Engineer, Modern Data Stack at NVIDIA rates 99 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.

Classification

Builds AI. The job is building AI systems.

  1. ●●●● Builds AI80 to 100
  2. ●●●○ Works on AI60 to 79
  3. ●●○○ Uses AI40 to 59
  4. ●○○○ 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

AI ResearchPyTorch

Questions you could be asked

  1. Tell me about a research question you investigated. What did you find?
  2. Walk me through how you've used PyTorch in your day-to-day work.
  3. How would you decide a model or AI system is ready to ship?
  4. 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: AI Research and PyTorch. 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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