SoC Software Engineer – New College Graduate 2026

NVIDIA; Santa Clara (CA); On-site; USD 108,000 - 178,000; Full time

Job summary

NVIDIA is seeking a New College Graduate SoC Software Engineer to help shape the future of accelerated computing across SOC, Data Center, Automotive, and Embedded domains. You will contribute from early silicon through deployment, spanning hardware, firmware, operating systems, and applications.

This role offers exposure to system-level challenges and collaboration with world-class engineers solving meaningful problems in AI factories, data centers, and autonomous platforms.

Qualifications

• Pursuing or recently completed BS or MS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or related field.
• Strong C or C++ programming skills and 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.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop SoC software, validation solutions, and test frameworks for CPU, SoC, and GPU-based platforms.
• Build next-generation system validation and reliability software that supports journey from virtual prototypes to production-ready hardware.
• Contribute to system software architecture and collaborate with internal teams to integrate new capabilities across the software stack.
• Work with architecture, ASIC, firmware, platform, and NPI teams to bring new computing platforms to life.
• Investigate hardware/software issues and improve performance, reliability, power efficiency, and serviceability.
• Explore emerging technologies and industry standards and apply them to real-world engineering problems.

Skills

C/C++

Object-oriented design

Low-level systems

Device drivers

OS architecture

Debugging

Communication

Education

BS/MS in Electrical Engineering/Computer Science/Computer Engineering

Job description

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.

Your base salary will be determined based on your location, experience, and the pay of employees in similar positions. The base salary range is 108,000 USD - 178,250 USD for Level 1, and 124,000 USD - 195,500 USD for Level 2.

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.

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