Skip to content
Level

NVIDIA

Senior System Software Engineer

NVIDIA is hiring a Senior System Software Engineer 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

  • Works on AI ●●●○ is how Level rates this software engineer role: the daily work is on AI products, without building the model.
  • 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.

NVIDIA is seeking a Sr. Systems Software Engineer for the Apache Spark Acceleration group. Over the past five years GPU accelerated data processing has moved from proof of concept to production deployments. Many enterprises recognize accelerated computing is vital to handle their large data processing needs. Multi-node GPU deployments will reduce cloud computing costs and lower latency in batch ETL workloads. Apache Spark is the most popular data processing engine in data centers.  At NVIDIA, we are developing  an open source plugin to accelerate Spark applications on GPUs without any code changes.

What you'll be doing:

  • Enable C++ native execution of Spark operations on CUDA

  • Develop CUDA/C++ libraries to accelerate DataFrames and I/O operations on common file formats such as Parquet, ORC and JSON

  • Collaborate with distributed systems teams to craft solutions to distributed processing problems challenges at large scale

  • Work with open source communities to enhance libraries like RAPIDS, CCCL and UCX through technical discussion and code contributions

  • Provide recommendations and feedback to teams regarding decisions surrounding topics such as infrastructure, continuous integration and testing strategy

  • Build, test and optimize across different platforms

What we need to see:

  • 9+ years of experience in software development

  • 5+ years hands on experience with data platform development

  • BS/MS/PhD in computer science or a related field (or equivalent experience)

  • Proficiency in C++, Java, Scala

  • Experience supporting enterprise customers

  • Familiarity with the open source data platform ecosystem is a plus (Apache Spark, Velox, Presto, Apache Arrow, Apache DataFusion, etc.)

  • Experience using AI tools in software development 

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 Software Engineer at NVIDIA rates 63 out of 100 for how much of the daily work is AI. That makes it Works on AI (AI Level 3 of 4). The level is about AI in the job, not seniority.

Classification

Works on AI. The daily work is on AI products, without building the model.

  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.

Also common in software engineer jobs at this level

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

Want an expert to read your CV for this job?

Free. Send your CV and the role you want next. You get your review by email within 24 hours.

Get new software engineer jobs (Works on AI ●●●○ or higher) by email

One email a week with the new software engineer jobs (Works on AI ●●●○ or higher), each rated for how much AI is in the work. No recruiter spam, unsubscribe in one click.

Free. One email a week. Unsubscribe in one click.

Similar roles

Software Engineering roles that work on 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 software engineer jobs

Related searches

Same AI level

Jobs by city