System Software Engineer - Data Center Compute Diagnostics

NVIDIA Gruppe; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 152,000 - 241,500; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Benefits package

Job summary

NVIDIA in Durham, NC seeks a system software engineer to develop low-level diagnostic software for next‑generation data center GPUs and rack‑scale AI systems. You’ll work close to hardware, enabling validation of compute engines, PCIe/NVLink, power, and thermal behavior.

You will own components from design through production, collaborating with hardware architects, silicon‑validation, and manufacturing teams.

Qualifications

• BS or MS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related field.
• 5+ years of embedded software, firmware, Linux drivers, or silicon bring-up.
• Strong C/C++ skills and working Python proficiency.
• Experience interfacing with hardware, firmware, or low-level interfaces.
• Ability to create diagnostics and validation tests for hardware/software.

Responsibilities

• Develop diagnostic and stress software in C/C++ and Python for complex hardware systems.
• Collaborate with hardware blocks, firmware, and Linux drivers to validate features.
• Bring up new silicon and system features using pre-production hardware.
• Create tests for compute engines, memory subsystems, DMA, PCIe/NVLink, power, and thermals.
• Investigate failures across hardware and software boundaries and drive fixes.

Skills

C++

C

Python

Debugging

Diagnostics

Education

BS or MS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, CS

Tools

GCC

Linux

Device drivers

Job description

NVIDIA has been transforming computer graphics, PC gaming, and accelerated computing for more than 25 years. It’s a unique legacy of innovation that’s fueled by great technology—and amazing people. Today, we’re tapping into the unlimited potential of AI to define the next era of computing. An era in which our GPU acts as the brains of computers, robots, and self-driving cars that can understand the world. Doing what’s never been done before takes vision, innovation, and the world’s best talent. As an NVIDIAN, you’ll be immersed in a diverse, supportive environment where everyone is inspired to do their best work. Come join the team and see how you can make a lasting impact on the world.

We are seeking a system software engineer to develop low-level diagnostic software for next-generation data center GPUs and rack-scale AI systems. Our team builds software that exercises and validates complex hardware, including compute engines, memory and cache subsystems, NICs, PCIe and NVLink interfaces, power delivery, and thermal behavior. This role is well suited to an embedded, firmware, device-driver, hardware-validation, or systems software engineer who enjoys working close to hardware. Relevant experience may come from GPUs, CPUs, networking, storage, servers, embedded systems, or other complex silicon-based products. Prior GPU, CUDA, or GEMM experience is helpful but not required; you will have the opportunity to learn GPU architecture and programming while working with experienced engineers. You will own well-scoped components of the diagnostic software from design through implementation, validation, productization, and field support. You will collaborate with hardware architects, driver developers, silicon-validation engineers, manufacturing teams, and field engineers to bring up new hardware and diagnose difficult system failures.

What you’ll be doing:

• Developing diagnostic and stress software in C/C++ and Python for complex hardware systems.
• Collaborating with hardware blocks, firmware, Linux device drivers, registers, telemetry, and low-level debugging tools.
• Bringing up and validating new silicon and system features using pre-production hardware and software.
• Creating targeted tests for compute engines, memory and cache subsystems, DMA engines, PCIe/NVLink interfaces, power, and thermal behavior.
• Investigating hardware and software failures involving memory errors, ECC, data integrity, performance, thermals, voltage/frequency behavior, and high-speed interfaces.
• Contributing to diagnostic and stress workloads ranging from low-level tests for GPU hardware to higher-level AI workloads, with opportunities to develop expertise in CUDA programming, GEMM-style compute, NCCL, and PyTorch-based workloads.
• Using modern development and analysis tools, including AI-assisted tools where appropriate, to accelerate coding, debugging, test creation, and failure analysis.

What we need to see:

• BS or MS degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years of experience in embedded software, firmware, Linux device drivers, systems software, hardware validation, diagnostics, or silicon bring-up.
• Strong programming skills in C and C++, plus working proficiency in Python.
• Experience developing software that interacts with hardware, firmware, device drivers, hardware registers, or low-level interfaces.
• Experience creating diagnostics, validation tests, stress tests, manufacturing tests, or other software used to isolate hardware or system failures.
• Understanding of fundamental computer architecture concepts such as memory, caches, interrupts, DMA, buses, and device I/O.
• Strong debugging and problem-solving skills, including the ability to investigate failures across hardware and software boundaries.
• Ability to take ownership of a well-scoped problem and drive it to completion while collaborating with a technical lead and multi-functional teams.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.

Widely considered to be one of the technology world’s most desirable employers, NVIDIA offers highly competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits package. As you plan your future, see what we can offer to you and your family www.nvidiabenefits.com/

Your base salary will be determined based based on your location, experience, and the pay of employees in similar positions. The base salary range is 152,000 USD - 241,500 USD.

You will also be eligible for equity and benefits.

Applications for this job will be accepted at least until August 4, 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.