Skip to content

NVIDIA

Research Scientist, AI for Graphics and Gaming - New College Grad 2026

NVIDIA is hiring a Research Scientist, AI for Graphics and Gaming - New College Grad 2026 in Santa Clara, United States. It pays $168k-$265k a year and Level rates it ; you can apply on NVIDIA.

Level's read on this job

  • On Level's scale, this research scientist role is Builds AI ●●●●: the job is building AI systems.
  • Tools and skills the posting cites include PyTorch, computer vision and AI research.
  • Level lists 2,700+ other open roles at NVIDIA.

AI in this role

PyTorch
computer-visionai-research

We are now seeking a Research Scientist in Generative AI for Graphics and Gaming! NVIDIA is seeking world-class deep learning researchers to build the next generation of AI for graphics and gaming—from neural rendering and real-time image/video generation to world models, AI-driven characters, and LLM-powered game experiences. Join our Applied Deep Learning Research team, renowned for revolutionizing real-time graphics with powerful AI technologies like DLSS. You’ll have access to abundant GPU compute to explore ambitious ideas and train large models at scale.


We prioritize step-change research that delivers undeniable user experience improvements, not incremental benchmark gains. You’ll work across multiple organizations at NVIDIA to drive fundamental AI research all the way into shipping products used by millions of players. Our team pushes the limits of real-time graphics and interactive storytelling experiences using the latest advances in AI. If you’re passionate about deep learning, real-time graphics, and delivering transformative technology directly into games and graphics applications, you’ll be a great fit. In this role, you will conduct cutting-edge research, train advanced models, prototype in real-time engines, and work with product, driver, and hardware teams to bring your ideas to market.

What you'll be doing:

  • Research and develop AI models that improve real-time graphics quality, robustness, performance, and latency, and enable new interactive experiences such as world models, LLM-driven gameplay, and AI-driven characters.

  • Design and run large-scale pre-training and post-training for foundation models for graphics and gaming, using NVIDIA’s GPU infrastructure for experimentation and iteration.

  • Build and own data pipelines and datasets for foundation models and large-scale training, spanning synthetic data, in-engine captures, and real-world content.

  • Develop and prototype models for real-time image, video, and 3D content generation in modern game engines and graphics frameworks, and create demos that clearly showcase player-visible benefits.

  • Stay current on AI and graphics research and work with product, driver, hardware, engine, and platform teams to turn promising ideas into shipping, user-visible features.


What we need to see:

  • Pursuing PhD in Computer Science/Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Applied Mathematics, or a related field (or equivalent experience).

  • Deep learning experience in image/video generation, graphics, computer vision, or related fields, with a solid understanding of core DL fundamentals.

  • Hands-on experience training large models on multi-GPU clusters (hundreds to thousands of GPUs), building robust distributed training pipelines and debugging at scale, with strong proficiency in PyTorch required; familiarity with GPU architecture, CUDA abstractions, and efficiency techniques (e.g., distillation, pruning, low-precision training/inference) is a plus.

  • Background in graphics—such as rendering pipelines or game engines—and experience with generative models, neural rendering, or reconstruction is a plus.

  • Proven track record of impactful research and shipped ideas (e.g., leading publications, production features, or widely used tools), and strong communication and collaboration skills in cross-functional teams.

NVIDIA’s invention of the GPU 1999 sparked the growth of the PC gaming market, redefined modern computer graphics, and revolutionized parallel computing. More recently, GPU deep learning ignited modern AI — the next era of computing — with the GPU acting as the brain of computers, robots, and self-driving cars that can perceive and understand the world. Today, we are increasingly known as “the AI computing company”. Do you love the challenge of pushing what's possible in realtime interactive graphics and Generative AI? If so, 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 range for this position is 168,000 USD – 264,500 USD.

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

Research Scientist, AI for Graphics and Gaming - New College Grad 2026 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

Computer visionAI ResearchPyTorch

Also common in research scientist jobs at this level

Pay

This job starts at
$168k
Typical research scientist job
$192k

This posting starts 12% below the typical research scientist job. See research scientist jobs

Questions you could be asked

  1. Walk me through a computer vision problem you solved, from raw data to a deployed model.
  2. Tell me about a research question you investigated. What did you find?
  3. What are the limits of PyTorch that you've run into, and how did you work around them?
  4. How would you decide a model or AI system is ready to ship?
  5. 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: Computer vision, 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.

Get your CV reviewed before you apply

Send your CV and the role you want next. Your review arrives by email within 3 days.

Get new research scientist jobs (Builds AI ●●●●) by email

One email a week, each job rated for how much AI is in the work. No recruiter spam, unsubscribe in one click.

Free.

Similar roles

Research roles that build AI, at other companies.

What kind of AI work fits you?

Answer 12 practical questions in about three minutes. Get a simple profile, the work it points to, and live roles to explore next.

Find my next step

More jobs at NVIDIA

More research scientist jobs

Related searches

Same AI level

Jobs by city