Senior Software Engineer, Chips System Software

Thomas To; Santa Clara (CA); On-site; USD 184,000 - 357,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Benefits

Job summary

NVIDIA in Santa Clara, CA seeks an experienced System Software Engineer to design and develop kernel drivers and embedded software for next-generation Chips. You will work with hardware, silicon, and software teams to bring up platforms from simulation to production, enabling Linux and core OS software across multiple platforms.

The ideal candidate has 8+ years of experience, strong C, Linux kernel, and device driver expertise, and a track record of end-to-end project ownership in complex

Qualifications

• BS or MS degree in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related field, or equivalent experience.
• 8+ years of relevant software development experience.
• Hands-on technical experience and demonstrated excellence in environments involving complex hardware and software designs.
• Strong expertise in C programming, Linux kernel development and core operating system software.
• Experience developing and debugging Linux device drivers.
• Strong background in complex system-level debugging and root cause analysis.
• Familiarity with computer architecture fundamentals including caches, buses, memory controllers, DMA, interrupts, and low-level hardware interactions.
• Demonstrated ability to independently drive projects from design through deployment with strong end-to-end ownership.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and verify features for our next-generation Chips architecture, collaborating with hardware engineers and fellow software engineers.
• Influence hardware architecture and system software design through architecture reviews, design specifications, and cross-functional collaboration.
• Work closely with hardware, silicon, and pre-silicon teams to bring up new platforms, products, and prototype systems.
• Enable Linux and core operating system software across simulation, emulation, FPGA, and silicon platforms.
• Debug and resolve complex hardware and software integration issues across multiple layers of the software stack.

Skills

C programming

Linux kernel development

Linux device drivers

System-level debugging

Computer architecture basics

Education

BS/MS in Computer Engineering/CS

Job description

NVIDIA is searching for a creative and highly motivated engineer with expertise in System Software to join the Chips System Software organization. You will design and develop key aspects of our Chip specific kernel drivers and embedded software, with a strong focus on Linux kernel development, Core OS enablement, Chip and Platform Bring-up, and automation across both pre-silicon and silicon platforms.

In this role, you will work closely with hardware, silicon, pre-silicon, and software teams to enable next-generation Chips from early modeling and simulation through production deployment. The ideal candidate is a self-driven with strong technical ownership who enjoys solving complex hardware and software integration challenges while driving projects end-to-end.

Work Location: This is an on-site position based at NVIDIA's Santa Clara, California office. Candidates are expected to work from the Santa Clara location and collaborate closely with local engineering teams. This is not a remote position.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Design, develop, and verify features for our next-generation Chips architecture, collaborating with hardware engineers and fellow software engineers.
• Influence hardware architecture and system software design through architecture reviews, design specifications, and cross-functional collaboration.
• Work closely with hardware, silicon, and pre-silicon teams to bring up new platforms, products, and prototype systems.
• Enable Linux and core operating system software across simulation, emulation, FPGA, and silicon platforms.
• Debug and resolve complex hardware and software integration issues across multiple layers of the software stack.

What We Need To See

• BS or MS degree in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related field, or equivalent experience.
• 8+ years of relevant software development experience.
• Hands-on technical experience and demonstrated excellence in environments involving complex hardware and software designs.
• Strong expertise in C programming, Linux kernel development and core operating system software.
• Experience developing and debugging Linux device drivers.
• Strong background in complex system-level debugging and root cause analysis.
• Familiarity with computer architecture fundamentals including caches, buses, memory controllers, DMA, interrupts, and low-level hardware interactions.
• Demonstrated ability to independently drive projects from design through deployment with strong end-to-end ownership.

Ways To Stand Out From The Crowd

• Deep expertise in Linux kernel internals, device drivers, and low-level system software and enabling Linux on pre-silicon and si platforms.
• Experience with Buildroot, and Linux distributions.
• Exceptional debugging and problem-solving skills in complex hardware/software integration environments.
• Contributions to Linux kernel or other open-source software projects.
• Demonstrated technical leadership through architecture, design, mentoring, or cross-functional project execution.

We are widely considered to be one of the technology world's most desirable employers, and as a result have some of the most forward-thinking and hardworking people in the world working for us. At NVIDIA, you'll work alongside exceptional engineers to solve challenging problems in Linux kernel development, platform enablement, automation, and next-generation SoC technology. If you're a self-driven engineer with a passion for low-level software, Linux kernel development, platform architecture, and end-to-end ownership, we'd love to have you join our team and help shape the future of computing.

Your base salary will be determined based on your location, experience, and the pay of employees in similar positions. The base salary range is 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 August 24, 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.