System Software Engineer – Data Center GPU Compute Diagnostics

NVIDIA

Durham, North Carolina

JOB DETAILS
SKILLS
Analysis Skills, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Buses, C Programming Language, C++ Programming Language, CPU (Central Processing Unit), CUDA (Compute Unified Device Architecture), Computer Architecture, Computer Engineering, Computer Firmware, Computer Programming, Computer Science, Debugging Skills, Device Drivers, Diagnostics Solutions/Software, Electrical Engineering, Embedded Software, GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), Hardware Architecture, Hardware Debugging, Interpersonal Skills, Kernel Programming, Manufacturing, Memory Hardware, Network Operations Center, Operating Systems, PCI Express (PCI-E), Product Development, Product Lifecycle, Python Programming/Scripting Language, Short Messaging Service (SMS), Silicon Bringup, Software Engineering, Stress Modeling, Stress Testing, Systems Engineering, Team Lead/Manager, Technical Leadership, Telemetry, Test Plan/Schedule, Testing, Use Cases
LOCATION
Durham, North Carolina
POSTED
30+ days ago

We are seeking a system software engineer to work on next-generation Data Center GPU diagnostics for rack-scale AI supercomputer systems. Our charter is to build applications and compute workloads that test and heavily stress GPU compute engines, HBM memory, cache hierarchy, PCIe/NVLink interfaces, power delivery, and thermal behavior, and to use those applications in silicon/system bring-up along with packaging such tools for manufacturing and customer use. In this role you will partner with a senior engineer leading the team's CUDA kernel and GEMM diagnostics work, owning well-scoped pieces of the codebase end-to-end while ramping on GPU microarchitecture and silicon characterization. The best candidates will have experience writing low-level diagnostic, performance, or stress software for complex hardware systems, ideally including experience with GPUs, CUDA kernels, GEMM-style workloads, CPUs, NICs or high-speed interconnects such as PCIe. 

Good interpersonal skills are  as this role will involve close collaboration with hardware architecture, silicon validation, manufacturing and field teams. In addition, the engineer will grow their knowledge of operating systems, computer architecture, GPU memory, voltage/frequency behavior, thermal limits, high-speed buses, and modern AI development and analysis tools to efficiently validate and test next-generation processors and systems. Join an exciting, rewarding and fast paced environment! 

What you'll be doing: 

  • Working closely with hardware architecture, driver, manufacturing, and field teams through the product development lifecycle of rack-scale AI systems. 

  • Implementing and maintaining CUDA/C++ diagnostic workloads and software infrastructure used in chip development, validation, productization, and field triage. 

  • Writing and tuning GPU compute tests that stress Tensor Cores, SMs, L2/cache hierarchy, HBM memory, and related power/thermal operating points. 

  • Implementing and tuning GEMM-style diagnostic workloads, including tests combined with additional load in NVLink, PCIe or CPU subsystems. 

  • Contributing to higher-level AI workload tests, including PyTorch-based large model workloads that stress GPUs, memory, interconnects, thermals, and system software under realistic rack-scale AI use cases. 

  • Bringing up and validating new hardware features with pre-beta GPU drivers, low-level diagnostic software, and system telemetry, under guidance from the technical lead. 

  • Triaging and debugging failures involving ECC, HBM behavior, thermal limits, voltage/frequency margining, and PCIe/NVLink errors. 

What we need to see: 

  • BS or MS degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or equivalent experience. 

  • 5+ years of system software, GPU software, embedded software, or hardware validation experience.

  • Experience writing low-level diagnostics, interacting with device firmware and hardware level debuggers. 

  • Strong C/C++ and Python programming skills. 

  • Exposure to GPU architecture, CUDA kernels, GPU compute workloads, or related accelerator programming is strongly preferred. 

  • Working knowledge of memory systems, ECC behavior and DMA engines. 

  • Familiarity with GEMM-style workloads. 

  • Awareness of voltage/frequency characterization, thermal testing, power stress, or related silicon validation concepts such as Vmin/Fmax and P-state testing. 

  • Experience using modern AI development and analysis tools to improve engineering velocity, including code development, debugging, and test creation. 

  • Strong problem solving and low-level debugging skills. 

Your base salary will be determined 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 May 24, 2026.

This posting is for an existing vacancy. 

NVIDIA uses AI tools in its recruiting processes.

NVIDIA is committed to fostering a diverse 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.

About the Company

N

NVIDIA

Visualize your future . . . We Do
NVIDIA is the world leader in graphics processing technologies, creating innovative, industry-changing products for computing, consumer electronics, and mobile devices. NVIDIA products are transforming visually-rich applications such as video games, film production, broadcasting, industrial design, space exploration, and medical imaging. We invest in our people and our technologies, support and fund industry research around the world, and consistently deliver high-quality products. NVIDIA's culture promotes and inspires a team of world-class employees to be at the top of their game. We've created an environment where talents are recognized and collaboration is valued. Our employees are shaping the world of tomorrow. . . today. We invite you to explore the opportunities available at NVIDIA to see what your future may hold.

COMPANY SIZE
10,000 employees or more
INDUSTRY
Computer Software
FOUNDED
1993
WEBSITE
http://www.nvidia.com