Senior Research Scientist, EDA and AI

2100 NVIDIA USA; Santa Clara (CA); On-site; USD 192,000 - 305,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Benefits

Job summary

NVIDIA is seeking a world-class researcher in Santa Clara to advance EDA algorithms, VLSI design methods, and AI-driven optimization on GPU platforms. You will publish in top venues, collaborate with circuits, VLSI, and architecture teams, and drive research into real products and open-source tools.

Requirements include a PhD in CS/EE with 2+ years post-PhD, deep EDA/VLSI knowledge, 5+ years of AI applications, and proven leadership. Competitive base salary with equity and benefits.

Qualifications

• PhD in CS/EE or related field with 2+ years post-PhD research and strong publication record in top EDA/AI/ML venues.
• Deep knowledge in EDA/VLSI and 5+ years applying AI techniques and GPU/accelerator-based computing to large-scale problems.
• 5+ years of software development experience with high-performance computing, parallelism, and optimization.

Responsibilities

• Define and conduct original research across EDA algorithms, VLSI design methodology, and advanced machine learning techniques.
• Innovate in EDA software and algorithms with applications spanning supervised, unsupervised, and reinforcement learning, and GPU-accelerated optimization methods.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with circuit design, VLSI, and architecture teams to translate research into products.
• Publish in premier conferences, present at leading venues, and drive thought leadership.
• Engage with external researchers and diverse internal product teams to amplify research outcomes.

Skills

Research excellence

Domain expertise

Programming

HPC & optimization

Team leadership

Communication

Education

PhD in CS/EE

Tools

GPU acceleration

Job description

What you’ll be doing:

Define and conduct original research across EDA algorithms, VLSI design methodology, and advanced machine learning techniques. Innovate in EDA software and algorithms, with applications spanning supervised, unsupervised, and reinforcement learning, as well as GPU-accelerated optimization methods. Collaborate cross-functionally with circuit design, VLSI, and architecture teams, ensuring research translates into real-world product impact. Engage with the global research community by publishing in premier conferences, presenting at leading venues, and driving thought leadership. Foster collaboration with external researchers and diverse internal product teams to amplify research outcomes.

What we need to see:

Research Excellence: PhD in Computer Science, Electrical/Computer Engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience), with 2+ years of post-PhD research experience and a strong record of impactful publications in top EDA and AI/ML venues; proven ability to set research direction and translate ideas into tools or products.

Domain & Technical Expertise: Deep knowledge in EDA/VLSI (e.g., synthesis, formal verification, timing, reliability, or physical design algorithms) combined with 5+ years applying AI techniques (supervised, unsupervised, RL) and GPU/accelerator-based computing to large-scale problems.

Programming & Systems Skills: 5+ years of experience in software development; strong expertise in high-performance computing, parallelism, optimization, and large-scale software engineering.

Leadership & Collaboration: experience in leading research projects or teams, with a track record of mentoring junior scientists, driving cross-functional initiatives with circuits/VLSI/architecture groups, and fostering collaborations with academia or industry.

Communication & Impact: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with demonstrated experience presenting at top conferences; track record of releasing high-impact open-source tools, datasets, or frameworks; ability to influence both technical and non-technical audiences.

Widely considered to be one of the technology world’s most desirable employers, NVIDIA has some of the most forward-thinking and hardworking people in the world inventing the future for us.

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: 192,000 USD – 304,750 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.

NVIDIA pioneered accelerated computing. Today, our AI infrastructure powers global intelligence, transforming every industry. Learn more about NVIDIA.