Senior Hardware System Validation Engineer

NVIDIA; Santa Clara (CA); On-site; USD 190,000 - 310,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Benefits

Job summary

NVIDIA is seeking a Senior Hardware System Validation Engineer to lead HW validation within the Datacenter Systems Engineering team in Santa Clara. The role focuses on building robust test strategies and automating verification for Data Center Scale infrastructure, including storage like Lustre.

You will collaborate across hardware, software, networking, and OEM teams to ensure high-quality, scalable validation processes.

Qualifications

• MSEE/MSCE or equivalent experience.
• 10+ years of validation experience.
• 5+ years in Software Quality Engineering & Storage system verification with QA strategy contributions.
• Proven expertise in test framework & automation scripts; CI/CD experience using Python, Shell, Ansible, Git & Jenkins; Docker and Kubernetes.
• Strong debugging and system-level analysis skills.

Responsibilities

• Developing new and extending existing test strategies & executing to guarantee high quality from functional and performance perspectives.
• Designing and developing software that automates verification of Data Center Scale infrastructure components with Python automation.
• Validation of distributed Storage systems (e.g., Lustre) on AI/HPC Datacenter scale infrastructure.
• Collaborating with multi-functional teams to debug HW/SW product issues.
• Debug, triage issues, perform root cause analysis, verify fixes, define new tests, and improve test plans.
• Analyze and root-cause issues to drive defect fixing and bug lifecycle management.

Skills

Test automation

Python scripting

CI/CD tooling

Debugging & analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

AI coding assistance

Education

MSEE/MSCE or equivalent

Tools

Docker

Kubernetes

Git

Jenkins

Ansible

Job description

Our technology has no boundaries! NVIDIA is building the world’s most groundbreaking and state of the art compute platforms for the world to use. It’s because of our work that scientists, researchers and engineers can advance their ideas. At its core, our visual computing technology not only enables an amazing computing experience, but it is also energy efficient! We pioneered a supercharged form of computing loved by the most demanding computer users in the world - scientists, designers, artists, and gamers. It’s not just technology though! It is our people, some of the brightest in the world, and our diverse company culture make NVIDIA one of the most fun, innovative and dynamic places to work in the world! At the center of NVIDIA's culture are our core values like innovation, excellence and determination and team, that guide us to be the best we can be.

We are looking for a Senior Hardware System Validation Engineer to lead HW validation activities in the Datacenter Systems Engineering team. You'll work closely with solution architects, HW system engineers, Software, Network & Storage architects, validation engineers, OEM/ODMs, and AE teams to ensure product validation and test coverage are optimal. The ideal candidate is self-motivated, works well with different teams, very comfortable in a lab environment and demonstrates passion towards product level validation. They should have strong debug analysis fundamentals as well as automation and scripting experience. They must be capable of thriving in fast paced environment with evolving product definitions.

What you’ll be doing:

• Developing new and extending existing test strategies & executing to guarantee the highest level of quality from both functional and performance perspectives.
• Designing and developing software that automates the verification of all Data Center Scale infrastructure components. Your expertise in developing efficient and reliable automation tools with Python will play a crucial role in streamlining our testing processes.
• Validation of distributed Storage systems (e.g., Lustre) on AI/HPC Datacenter scale infrastructure
• Collaborate with multi-functional teams including application teams, HW designers, networking team, FW, security etc. to debug any HW/SW product issues.
• Debug, triage issues, perform root cause analysis, verify fixes, define new tests, and improve product test plans.
• Analyzing and root-causing issues down to the code level, leading the defect fixing process, and bug life cycle management. Your strong problem-solving skills will allow you to address challenges with efficiency and precision.

What we need to see:

• MSEE/MSCE or equivalent experience
• 10+ years of validation experience
• Over 5 years of proven experience in Software Quality Engineering & Storage system verification desired including significant contributions to QA strategies and test documentation.
• Proven expertise in Test Framework & automation scripts development, CI/CD experience using Python, SHELL, Ansible, Git & Jenkins, docker containers & Kubernetes.
• Solid understanding of system-level debugging and analysis tools
• Strong communication skills and ability to participate in cross-functional quality initiatives & Cross-collaboration with Dev & Product Management teams to understand specification
• Excellent design, debugging and problem-solving skills, with a strong bias for action, quality and engineering excellence.
• Experience in using AI coding assistants to improve coding efficiency and correctness

Ways to stand out from the crowd:

• Experience with GPU server architecture and storage validation in Datacenter infrastructure.
• Hands on & expertise with Kubernetes, Docker containers & Jenkins pipelines
• Certifications in storage (e.g., SNIA) or HPC systems or Storage Performance experience with mdtest or FIO tool.

Your base salary will be determined based on your location, experience, and the pay of employees in similar positions. The base salary range is 168,000 USD - 258,750 USD for Level 4, and 200,000 USD - 322,000 USD for Level 5.

You will also be eligible for equity and benefits.

Applications for this job will be accepted at least until September 26, 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.