SoC Software Engineer – New College Graduate 2026
NVIDIA is hiring a SoC Software Engineer – New College Graduate 2026 in Santa Clara, United States. It pays $108k-$178k a year and Level rates it ; you can apply on Level.
AI in this role
We are looking for a New College Graduate SoC Software Engineer to help shape the future of accelerated computing within SOC/Data Center/Automotive/Embedded. Imagine developing foundational technology for tomorrow’s AI factories, next-generation data centers, self driving cars and autonomous robots—and even data centers in space. You will join a world-class team building and maintaining software for complex heterogeneous computing systems that power groundbreaking AI, HPC, and accelerated computing workloads. Your work will span hardware, firmware, operating systems, and applications as you help bring sophisticated products from early silicon through deployment.
This is an opportunity to learn from some of the best engineers in the world while solving meaningful system-level challenges. If you are a creative software engineer who enjoys low-level technology, tackling difficult problems, and turning new ideas into working products, we want to hear from you!
What you’ll be doing:
- Design and develop SoC software, validation solutions, and test frameworks for CPU, SoC, and GPU-based platforms. Your work may span user space, the kernel, firmware, and SoC boot software.
- Build next-generation system validation and reliability software that supports the journey from virtual prototypes and first silicon to production-ready hardware, large-scale deployment, and rapid failure resolution.
- Contribute to system software architecture and collaborate with internal teams to integrate new capabilities across the software stack.
- Work closely with architecture, ASIC, firmware, platform, and new product introduction teams to understand requirements and bring new computing platforms to life.
- Investigate challenging hardware and software issues, develop creative solutions, and improve the performance, reliability, power efficiency, and serviceability of our platforms.
- Explore emerging technologies and industry standards, then apply what you learn to solve real-world engineering problems.
What we need to see:
- Pursuing or recently completed a BS or MS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a related field—or equivalent experience.
- Strong C or C++ programming skills and an understanding of object-oriented design.
- Familiarity with low-level systems software, device drivers and understanding of OS and computer architecture.
- Strong problem-solving and debugging skills, with curiosity about how hardware and software work together.
- Clear communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively in a team environment.
Ways to stand out from the crowd:
- Knowledge of Linux systems or kernel internals.
- Understanding of server, PC, embedded, or other complex computing architectures.
- Experience with SoC development, pre-silicon environments, silicon bring-up, or hardware validation through coursework, research, internships, or personal projects.
- Experience contributing to a team software project, open-source project, technical competition, or substantial personal project.
- Exposure to AI, automation, or data-driven techniques for accelerating validation, analyzing failures, or improving system reliability.
You will also be eligible for equity and benefits.
Applications for this job will be accepted at least until October 17, 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
SoC Software Engineer – New College Graduate 2026 at NVIDIA rates 6 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. Open the description and count.
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
- $108k
- Typical software engineer job
- $168k
This posting starts 36% below the typical software engineer job. See software engineer jobs
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