Senior Software Engineer, Embedded Platform Middleware — Automotive and Robotics
NVIDIA is hiring a Senior Software Engineer, Embedded Platform Middleware — Automotive and Robotics 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
- Little AI ●○○○ is how Level rates this software engineer role: aI is not part of the work.
- The listed pay starts 10% above the typical software engineer posting on Level.
- Level classifies it as a senior role.
- Level lists 2,700+ other open roles at NVIDIA.
AI in this role
NVIDIA has been transforming computer graphics, PC gaming, and accelerated computing for more than 25 years. Today, we're tapping into the unlimited potential of AI to define the next era of computing — where our GPUs act as the brains of computers, robots, and self-driving cars that understand the world. Doing what's never been done before takes vision, innovation, and the world's best talent. As an NVIDIAN, you'll be immersed in a diverse, supportive environment where everyone is inspired to do their best work.
Join NVIDIA's Embedded Platform Middleware team [NvSci Team] — the group building the foundational system software that enables safe, high-performance data sharing and synchronization across GPUs, CPUs, and specialized accelerators on NVIDIA DRIVE (autonomous vehicles) and Jetson (robotics & edge AI) platforms. Our middleware is the connective tissue that lets millions of safety-certified devices move data at silicon speed — deterministically, securely, and at scale. We work at the intersection of low-level systems software, safety-critical engineering, and ground breaking accelerator hardware. If you love shipping code that runs in real cars and real robots, this is your team.
What You'll Be Doing:
Design and evolve middleware APIs for buffer sharing, cross-engine synchronization, streaming, and inter-process communication — with a relentless focus on developer experience, simplicity, and long-term maintainability.
Lead end-to-end feature development that meets stringent automotive safety and security standards (ISO 26262, ASPICE, ISO 21434), aligned with product roadmaps and release cycles.
Optimize performance in resource-constrained embedded environments; partner closely with hardware and firmware engineers to co-design solutions that unlock the full potential of NVIDIA accelerators.
Drive technical direction across teams — collaborate with CUDA, graphics, camera, and AV framework engineers to simplify system architecture and elevate the platform.
Modernize how we build software — introduce automation, static analysis, fuzzing, and generative-AI tooling to improve on reliability, velocity, and scalability.
Mentor and influence — help grow the technical depth of the team and represent the platform in cross-org design discussions.
What We Need to See:
BS or MS in CS, CE, EE, or related field — or equivalent experience.
8+ years of relevant software development experience.
Strong proficiency in C and modern C++.
Deep experience with embedded systems and system architecture — multi-threaded software spanning CPUs, accelerators, and heterogeneous chips.
Strong understanding of operating systems internals: memory management, synchronization primitives, IPC, and drivers.
Hands-on experience with the Linux kernel (drivers, subsystems, or kernel-space development).
Experience delivering safety-critical software — ISO 26262, DO-178C, IEC 61508, or equivalent certified-software development processes.
Proven track record of driving solutions from concept to production in cross-functional, distributed teams.
Ways to Stand Out from the crowd:
Experience with automotive cybersecurity (ISO 21434) or ASPICE processes.
Familiarity with QNX, Integrity, or other RTOSes.
Background in GPU programming, CUDA, Vulkan, or graphics/compute driver stacks.
Contributions to middleware, HAL layers, or system libraries at production scale.
Experience with MISRA C/C++, Coverity, fuzzing, or formal verification.
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
Senior Software Engineer, Embedded Platform Middleware — Automotive and Robotics at NVIDIA rates 16 out of 100 for how much of the daily work is AI. That makes it Little AI (AI Level 1 of 4). The level is about AI in the job, not seniority.
Little AI. AI is not part of the work.
- ●●●● 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.
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Pay
- This job starts at
- $184k
- Typical software engineer job
- $167k
This posting starts 10% above the typical software engineer job. See software engineer jobs
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