Six Figure Work

System Software Engineer – Data Center GPU Compute Diagnostics

NVIDIA

Company websitenvidia.com (NVIDIA, opens in new tab)

Base salary $124,000  to $195,500

Employer-published annual base salary, USD. Advertised base range in Durham, NC

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  • LocationDurham, NC
  • WorkplaceWorkplace not stated
  • Status at last checkSource accepting applications when checked
  • Last checked (1 h ago) · observed since

About this job

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 an inclusive, 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. Join an exciting, rewarding, and fast-moving environment building the systems that power modern AI.


What you’ll be doing:

  • Developing diagnostic and stress software in C/C++ and Python for complex hardware systems.
  • Interfacing 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.
  • 2+ 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 cross-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 on your location, experience, and other objective job-related factors. The expected base salary range for this position is 124,000 USD – 195,500 USD.

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.

Source: NVIDIA on Workday · View original posting (opens in new tab)

Pay in context

This role's base floor ($124,000) is above 42% of the 61 Software Engineering roles in North Carolina listed on this site. Their median floor is $128,000; the middle half runs from $114,080 to $143,700.

Only jobs on this site count, and each one publishes a base salary of $100,000 or more, so this compares six-figure jobs with each other, not with the whole market. Computed Nov 6, 2026.

This range next to 6 other live NVIDIA roles with the nearest advertised base floor
Chart as a table
This range next to 6 other live NVIDIA roles with the nearest advertised base floor
RolePublished base
System Software Engineer – Data Center GPU Compute Diagnostics (this listing)$124,000 - $195,500
System Software Engineer, Performance - CUDA Driver$124,000 - $195,500
AI Compute Engineer - NVIS$124,000 - $195,500
Deep Learning Performance Architect - New College Grad 2027$124,000 - $241,500
Senior Revenue and Pricing Business Analyst$124K - $230K
Power Architect - New College Grad 2027$124,000 - $241,500
Solutions Architect, Executive Briefing Center$124,000 - $241,500

Same $100K to $400K scale as every card. All NVIDIA roles · How to read the bar

Observed changes

  1. First observed on the employer's board
  2. Began meeting the published-salary criteria
Observed since
Employer-stated posting date
2026-10-30
Where this pay comes from

Location as the employer wrote it: US, NC, Durham

base salary will be determined based on your location, experience, and other objective job-related factors. The expected base salary range for this position is 124,000 USD – 195,500 USD.

Method
Employer text, read with fixed rules and re-verified
Checked
Rule set
us-base-v2

The pay passage appears in the employer's own job text. Fixed, deterministic rules located it, and the passage below was checked against the stored copy of the posting.

What we verified

  • The pay figures come from the employer's own listing, quoted exactly above.
  • The pay is an annual base salary in US dollars with a minimum of at least $100,000.
  • The role was publicly listed on the employer's job board when last checked.

We do not verify what the employer will actually offer, whether the employer is still recruiting for the role, or anything beyond what the employer published. Full methodology.