Level

NVIDIA

Senior System Software Engineer – Data Center Compute Diagnostics

NVIDIA is hiring a Senior System Software Engineer – Data Center Compute Diagnostics in Durham, United States. It pays $152k-$242k a year and Level rates it ; you can apply on Level.

AI in this role

Develop low-level diagnostic and validation software for next-generation data center GPUs and rack-scale AI systems.

pytorchcpythoncudapcienvlink
system-softwarehardware-validationdebugginglow-level-programming

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.

We are seeking a system software engineer to develop low-level diagnostic software for next-generation data center GPUs and rack-scale AI systems. Our team builds software that exercises and validates complex hardware, including compute engines, memory and cache subsystems, NICs, PCIe and NVLink interfaces, power delivery, and thermal behavior. This role is well suited to an embedded, firmware, device-driver, hardware-validation, or systems software engineer who enjoys working close to hardware. Relevant experience may come from GPUs, CPUs, networking, storage, servers, embedded systems, or other complex silicon-based products. Prior GPU, CUDA, or GEMM experience is helpful but not required; you will have the opportunity to learn GPU architecture and programming while working with experienced engineers. You will own well-scoped components of the diagnostic software from design through implementation, validation, productization, and field support. You will collaborate with hardware architects, driver developers, silicon-validation engineers, manufacturing teams, and field engineers to bring up new hardware and diagnose difficult system failures.

What you’ll be doing:

  • Developing diagnostic and stress software in C/C++ and Python for complex hardware systems.

  • Collaborating with hardware blocks, firmware, Linux device drivers, registers, telemetry, and low-level debugging tools.

  • Bringing up and validating new silicon and system features using pre-production hardware and software.

  • Creating targeted tests for compute engines, memory and cache subsystems, DMA engines, PCIe/NVLink interfaces, power, and thermal behavior.

  • Investigating hardware and software failures involving memory errors, ECC, data integrity, performance, thermals, voltage/frequency behavior, and high-speed interfaces.

  • Contributing to diagnostic and stress workloads ranging from low-level tests for GPU hardware to higher-level AI workloads, with opportunities to develop expertise in CUDA programming, GEMM-style compute, NCCL, and PyTorch-based workloads.

  • Using modern development and analysis tools, including AI-assisted tools where appropriate, to accelerate coding, debugging, test creation, and failure analysis.

What we need to see:

  • BS or MS degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field, or equivalent experience.

  • 5+ years of experience in embedded software, firmware, Linux device drivers, systems software, hardware validation, diagnostics, or silicon bring-up.

  • Strong programming skills in C and C++, plus working proficiency in Python.

  • Experience developing software that interacts with hardware, firmware, device drivers, hardware registers, or low-level interfaces.

  • Experience creating diagnostics, validation tests, stress tests, manufacturing tests, or other software used to isolate hardware or system failures.

  • Understanding of fundamental computer architecture concepts such as memory, caches, interrupts, DMA, buses, and device I/O.

  • Strong debugging and problem-solving skills, including the ability to investigate failures across hardware and software boundaries.

  • Ability to take ownership of a well-scoped problem and drive it to completion while collaborating with a technical lead and multi-functional teams.

  • Good written and verbal communication skills.

Widely considered to be one of the technology world’s most desirable employers, NVIDIA offers highly competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits package. As you plan your future, see what we can offer to you and your family www.nvidiabenefits.com/ 

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 August 4, 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 – Data Center Compute Diagnostics 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.

  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. Open the description and count.

Prepare for this job

Built from this posting and from similar jobs on Level.

Skills and AI tools this role asks for

System SoftwareHardware ValidationDebuggingLow Level ProgrammingPyTorchCPythonCUDA

Also common in software engineer jobs at this level

Pay

This job starts at
$152k
Typical software engineer job
$168k

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

Questions you could be asked

  1. Tell me about a project where system software was part of your work. What did you do?
  2. Tell me about a project where hardware validation was part of your work. What did you do?
  3. Tell me about a project where debugging was part of your work. What did you do?
  4. Tell me about a project where low level programming was part of your work. What did you do?
  5. Walk me through how you've used PyTorch in your day-to-day work.

Adapt your resume

  • List these exact terms on your resume: System Software, Hardware Validation, Debugging, Low Level Programming, and PyTorch. 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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