Senior System Software Engineer - Data Center GPU Compute Diagnostics (Durham)

We are seeking a senior 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. The best candidates will have strong experience writing low-level diagnostic, performance, or stress software for complex hardware systems, ideally including experience with GPUs, CUDA kernels, GEMM-style workloads, NCCL communication patterns, CPUs, NICs or high-speed interconnects such as PCIe. Excellent interpersonal skills are required as this role will involve mentoring other engineers and collaborating with hardware architecture, silicon validation, manufacturing and field teams. In addition, the engineer will extensively use 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 product development lifecycle of rack-scale AI systems. Responsible for crafting CUDA/C++ diagnostic workloads and software infrastructure required for new chip development, validation, productization, and field triage. Designing and implementing GPU compute tests that stress Tensor Cores, SMs, L2/cache hierarchy, HBM memory, and related power/thermal operating points. Developing and tuning GEMM-style diagnostic workloads, including tests combined with additional load in NVLink, PCIe or CPU subsystems. Developing and integrating higher-level AI workload tests, including PyTorch-based large model workloads to stress GPUs, memory, interconnects, thermals, and system software under realistic rack-scale AI use cases. Assessing new hardware features and architecting manufacturing and field diagnostic tests using pre-beta GPU drivers, low-level diagnostic software, and system telemetry. 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. 12+ years of system software, GPU software, embedded software, or hardware validation experience. Experience driving technical work across multiple engineers, mentoring others, or leading development of a complex software component. Experience writing diagnostics and stress tests that interface to low-level hardware drivers and hardware registers. Strong C/C++ and Python programming skills. Experience with Linux device drivers, CUDA kernels, GPU compute workloads, or related accelerator programming is strongly preferred. Understanding of memory systems, ECC behavior, cache hierarchy, bandwidth bottlenecks, and hardware failure signatures. Understanding of GEMM-style workloads and how workload shape, precision, runtime, and verification affect compute stress, power, memory, and thermal behavior. Experience with voltage/frequency characterization, thermal testing, power stress, or related silicon validation concepts such as Vmin/Fmax and P-state testing. Background with PCIe, NVLink, or networking technologies such as InfiniBand and Ethernet.Your base salary will be determined based on your location, experience, and the pay of employees in similar positions. The base salary range is 224,000 USD - 356,500 USD.You will also be eligible for equity and benefits.Applications for this job will be accepted at least until May 22, 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.SummaryLocation: US, NC, DurhamType: Full time