Senior Compiler Engineer – GPU Compute

NVIDIA is hiring a Senior Compiler Engineer – GPU Compute in Santa Clara, United States. It pays $152k-$242k a year and Level rates it ; you can apply on NVIDIA.

Level's read on this job

Builds AI ●●●● is how Level rates this role: the job is building AI systems.
Tools and skills the posting cites include CUDA, Llvm and Mlir.
Level classifies it as a senior role.
Level lists 2,700+ other open roles at NVIDIA.
The role was posted within the past two weeks.

AI in this role

Senior Compiler Engineer focusing on CUDA front-end capabilities, language features, and compiler feedback for GPU compute and AI agent code generation.

cudallvmmlir

ai-agentscompiler-designcgpu-computingcode-generation

NVIDIA is dedicated to reinventing accelerated computing. Reinvention requires great technology and amazing people. 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. We are searching for a Senior Compiler Engineer in our GPU Software organization. We deliver features and improvements that help NVIDIA hardware reach its full potential across a growing range of computational workloads, from deep learning and scientific computing to self-driving cars, video games, and virtual reality. Our compiler organization makes its mark on every GPU NVIDIA produces.

The CUDA programming language defines a unified programming model across a range of system configurations and hardware capabilities. The compiler translates parallel programs written in higher-level languages, like CUDA C++, into microcode optimized for fast execution on NVIDIA’s family of industry-leading GPU architectures. More and more of that code is now written with the help of AI agents, and the compiler front end is where developers and agents first meet the language. In this role, you will focus on the CUDA compiler front end, building language features, diagnostics, and capabilities that help both developers and agents write correct, high-performance GPU code. You’ll also have the opportunity to grow into other parts of the compiler stack, including the LLVM-based optimizer, code generation, and MLIR.

What you'll be doing:

Build compiler capabilities that help AI agents generate high-performing, high-quality GPU code.
Improve front-end diagnostics and compiler feedback so that developers and AI agents can understand and act on what the compiler tells them.
Design and implement CUDA C++ language features and extensions in the compiler front end, including parsing, semantic analysis, and code generation to IR.
Track and implement evolving C++ standards features, and make sure they work well with the CUDA programming model.
Explore and contribute to all parts of the compiler stack, including optimization, back end, and MLIR, wherever the right solution lives.
Partner and collaborate with other compiler, library, and developer tools teams in a dynamic environment to deliver high-quality, robust solutions.

What we need to see:

Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, a related field, or equivalent experience.
5+ years of relevant work or research experience in compiler development.
Hands-on experience with a production C or C++ compiler front end, such as Clang or GCC.
Strong understanding of the C++ language, including templates, overload resolution, and modern C++ standards.
Strong C/C++ programming and software design skills.
Ability to work independently, define project goals and scope, and drive complex engineering efforts to production.
Solid interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate across teams.

Ways to stand out from the crowd:

Clang development experience, including upstream contributions.
Experience participating in programming language standards committees.
Experience with LLVM optimization passes, code generation, or MLIR dialects.
CUDA C++ application development experience and a deep understanding of parallel programming concepts.
Experience with compiler diagnostics, static analysis, or language tooling such as clangd.

With highly competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits package, NVIDIA is widely considered to be one of the technology industry's most desirable employers. We have some of the most brilliant and hardworking people in the world working with us and our product lines are growing fast in some of the hottest state of the art fields such as Virtual Reality, Artificial Intelligence, Deep Learning and Autonomous Vehicles.

Your base salary will be determined based on your location, experience, and the pay of employees in similar positions. The base salary range is 152,000 USD - 241,500 USD.

You will also be eligible for equity and benefits.

Applications for this job will be accepted at least until October 24, 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

Senior Compiler Engineer – GPU Compute at NVIDIA rates 85 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.

●●●● 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.

Key facts

Senior Compiler Engineer – GPU Compute is an open job at NVIDIA.
Level rates this role AI Level 4 of 4: Builds AI.
The listed salary is $152k-$242k a year.
The role is based in US, CA, Santa Clara.
The job was posted on October 20, 2026.
Seniority: senior.
Applications are handled by NVIDIA. Apply on NVIDIA

Prepare for this job

Built from this posting and from similar jobs on Level.

Skills and AI tools this role asks for

AI agentsCompiler DesignCGPU ComputingCode GenerationCUDALlvmMlir

Questions you could be asked

How do you decide when an AI agent can act on its own versus asking for approval first?
Tell me about a project where compiler design was part of your work. What did you do?
Tell me about a project where c was part of your work. What did you do?
Tell me about a project where gpu computing was part of your work. What did you do?
Tell me about a project where code generation was part of your work. What did you do?

Adapt your resume

List these exact terms on your resume: AI agents, Compiler Design, C, GPU Computing, and Code Generation. 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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