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NVIDIA

Senior Software Engineer, L4 - Autonomous Vehicles

NVIDIA is hiring a Senior Software Engineer, L4 - Autonomous Vehicles 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

  • Level rates this software engineer role Builds AI ●●●●: the job is building AI systems.
  • Pay on this posting starts 10% higher than the typical software engineer posting on Level.
  • Level classes it as a senior role.
  • NVIDIA has 1,800+ other open roles on Level.

AI in this role

NVIDIA has been transforming computer graphics, PC gaming, and accelerated computing for more than 25 years. It’s a unique legacy of innovation that’s fueled by great technology—and amazing people. Today, we’re tapping into the unlimited potential of AI to define the next era of computing. An era in which our GPU acts as the brains of computers, robots, and self-driving cars that can 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. Come join the team and see how you can make a lasting impact on the world.


At NVIDIA, we are building the next generation AI-native autonomous driving architecture — combining classical safety stacks, foundation models, and scalable AI systems into a unified production platform. Autonomous driving is entering a new era. The next generation of AV systems will not be purely classical robotics stacks, nor purely end-to-end neural networks. The future lies in the deep integration of classical safety architectures and large-scale AI-driven systems. If you want to work on problems that build the future of autonomous systems over the next decade, this is the place.


What You’ll Be Doing:

  • You will compose and build the architecture behind next-generation self-driving vehicle technology.
  • Work on Prediction, Decision, Planning and Control architecture
  • Have exposure to Classical safety stack
  • Build robust system-level safety and fallback strategies
  • Work on End-to-end data-driven AV pipelines
  • Hands on experience in DVLA / VA driving models
  • Develop a World Model–based planning and reasoning model
  • Have the exposure to engage with Large-scale model inference architecture
  • Contribute to the integration of innovative research in robotics into our self-driving vehicle technologies.
  • Deep knowledge of E2E AV software integration from perception through control, including dependencies, interface management, and performance tuning.

What We Need To See:

We’re looking for engineers who can build systems — not just components.

  • PhD with 4+ years, MS with 6+ years, or BS (or equivalent experience) with 8+ years of relevant experience in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a related technical field.
  • Production experience in autonomous driving systems
  • Worked on AI foundation models or large-scale ML systems
  • Helped drive End-to-end driving models
  • Experience working on Robotics or embodied AI systems
  • Knowledge and experience in System architecture from 0 → 1 → scale.

Ways To Stand Out From The Crowd:

  • PhD in a relevant field or related research experience
  • Knowledge of CUDA is a plus

NVIDIA is widely recognized as one of the world’s most innovative technology companies — driving breakthroughs in AI, autonomous systems, and high-performance computing. As part of our Autonomous Driving division, you’ll work alongside world-class engineers to bring next-generation driving intelligence from research to reality.


#AutonomousVehicles

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

Senior Software Engineer, L4 - Autonomous Vehicles at NVIDIA rates 91 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.

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Pay

This job starts at
$184k
Typical software engineer job
$168k

This posting starts 10% above the typical software engineer job. See software engineer jobs

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