Senior System Simulation Architect

NVIDIA is hiring a Senior System Simulation Architect 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

Builds AI ●●●● is how Level rates this role: the job is building AI systems.
Tools and skills the posting cites include PyTorch and TensorFlow.
Level classifies it as a senior role.
Level lists 2,700+ other open roles at NVIDIA.

AI in this role

PyTorchTensorFlow

Do you want to help drive the development of CPU architectures to fuel the explosive growth in artificial intelligence (AI) / deep learning (DL), high-performance computing (HPC), gaming, virtual reality, and autonomous vehicles? Come join the CPU performance architecture team as a Senior System Simulation Architect and help us push performance boundaries for NVIDIA’s line of CPU products!

What you’ll be doing:

Develop full-system functional models capable of running complex multi-threaded heterogeneous (CPU/GPU) workloads – with special focus on the CPU subsystem.
Integrate functional models from various frameworks with RTL simulators and emulators, hardware (HW-in-the-loop), and detailed performance models.
Bring up system and application software in simulation and emulation – including firmware, Linux, drivers, benchmarks, and CPU/GPU workloads such as deep-learning (DL) and high-performance computing (HPC) workloads.
Port/extend/develop system software (firmware, OS, and drivers) to meet workload simulation needs.
Support CPU architects and performance engineers in their use of functional models, performance models, and emulation to drive next-generation CPU architectures.

What we need to see:

BS/MS in EE, CE, or CS or equivalent experience
6 or more years of relevant experience
Excellent C/C++/Python programming skills
Experience in development of functional simulators and/or low-level software (OS, firmware, drivers); preferably both
Excellent debugging skills – of both system software/firmware and application software
Experience with the ARM ISA
Excellent communication and teamwork skills

Ways to stand out from the crowd:

Experience working with hardware emulators and/or FPGAs
Background in CPU workload analysis (SimPoint, etc.)
Experience with Linux kernel bringup and debug
Familiarity with CUDA
Experience with CPU/GPU application development and optimization in Pytorch, TensorFlow, and similar frameworks

NVIDIA is a global leader in accelerated computing, delivering breakthroughs in AI, HPC, and advanced system design. Our technologies power transformative applications across industries — from robotics and autonomous vehicles to healthcare and climate research. With the introduction of the Grace CPU Superchip, and more recently, the announcement of the Vera CPU, NVIDIA has expanded into the CPU server market, complementing our world-class GPUs and SoCs. These CPUs play a critical role in orchestrating complex workloads with exceptional performance-per-watt efficiency. The CPU architecture team is driving innovations that integrate seamlessly with NVIDIA’s broader technology stack, enabling faster AI model training, agentic use-cases, efficient data processing, and scalable cloud deployments.

#ArchitectYourFuture

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 System Simulation Architect at NVIDIA rates 89 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 System Simulation Architect is an open job at NVIDIA.
Level rates this role AI Level 4 of 4: Builds AI.
The listed salary is $184k-$288k a year.
The role is based in US, CA, Santa Clara.
The job was posted on May 7, 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

PyTorchTensorFlow

Questions you could be asked

What's a project where you used PyTorch hands-on?
Walk me through how you've used TensorFlow 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: PyTorch and TensorFlow. 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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