Relational Foundation Model Engineer, Modern Data Stack
AI in this role
Our work at NVIDIA is dedicated towards a computing model focused on visual and AI computing. For two decades, NVIDIA has pioneered visual computing, the art and science of computer graphics, with our invention of the GPU. The GPU has also shown to be spectacularly effective at solving some of the most complex problems in computer science. Today, NVIDIA’s GPU simulates human intelligence, running deep learning algorithms and acting as the brain of computers, robots and self-driving cars that can perceive and understand the world. We are looking to grow our company and teams with the smartest people in the world and there has never been a more exciting time to join us!
NVIDIA is redefining what’s possible with AI, and our Relational Foundation Model team is at the forefront of that mission. We’re building a single, unified foundation model that understands the structure and relationships within any relational database or heterogeneous graph — a fundamentally new approach to enterprise AI. As an engineer on this team, you won’t just be fine-tuning existing models; you’ll be designing and experimenting with novel Transformer and GNN architectures that generalize across diverse relational schemas. Your work will directly impact real-world applications spanning recommendation systems, demand forecasting, fraud detection, and predictive maintenance — all powered by one extensible model. You’ll collaborate closely with researchers and engineers across the full ML lifecycle, from architecture exploration and large-scale training to post-training optimization and inference acceleration. This is a rare opportunity to contribute to foundational research that ships into production and shapes the modern data stack. If you’re excited about graph learning, relational reasoning, and building AI systems that go far beyond single-table benchmarks, this is the team for 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 program
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!
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.
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
A free preview built only from this posting: what it asks for, what you could be asked in an interview, and how to adjust your resume.
Skills and AI tools this role asks for
Questions you could be asked
- Walk me through fine-tuning a model: what data did you use, and how did you check the result?
- Walk me through how you've used PyTorch 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: Fine Tuning 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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