below marketmost similar roles pay hereabove market
This role pays more than
98%
of similar roles. Most pay
$179,450–$255,000
— the blue band above.
At the midpoint, this role pays about
$352k
versus about
$217k
for comparable roles.
Based on 240 similar postings.
Employer
About Nvidia
Nvidia is a leading designer of graphics processing units (GPUs) and system-on-chip units, powering gaming, professional visualization, data centers, and artificial intelligence workloads. Industry: Semiconductors & AI Computing
Nvidia currently has
1623 open roles
on FindRole.
Listed pay typically runs
$184,000–$287,500
across 1110 roles with salary data.
JOB TITLE: Principal Architect, System Software - Orbital Data Center
The Principal Architect, System Software - Orbital Data Center leads the end-to-end system software architecture for Space-1 and successor orbital platforms. This role involves owning the full stack from application to libraries, including BMC firmware, BIOS, host OS, GPU and CPU drivers, and CUDA. The architect must design a production-ready inference platform capable of operating reliably in low-earth orbit environments characterized by radiation, thermal-cycling, and remote operations. Key responsibilities include defining manageability for autonomous data centers, implementing dual-module redundancy, and ensuring fault containment against SEU/SEFI events. Required skills include proficiency in C/C++ and Python, along with expertise in Redfish, MCTP, and PLDM protocols. The work focuses on creating rad-tolerant software behaviors for space-based AI infrastructure.
What does a Architect earn?
Median $225000 from 45 postings across 26 companies.
Own the end-to-end system software architecture for orbital data center modules from BMC firmware to CUDA.
Architect rad-tolerant software behaviors including ECC handling, memory scrubbing, and latch-up mitigation for LEO environments.
Define manageability architectures for autonomous remote operations, including in-orbit firmware updates and dual-module redundancy.
Drive Redfish, MCTP, and PLDM protocols to enable customers to manage orbital fleets using standard ground tools.
Translate customer mission requirements into actionable platform software architectures for orbital AI products.
Design system software to ensure reliable operation through extreme thermal cycling and radiation-induced events.
Collaborate with hardware teams to define interfaces and trade-offs across silicon, board, and OS layers.
Resolve system software issues during the bring-up process from first silicon through first launch.
What we're looking for
BS, MS, or PhD in EE/CS or related field of education (or equivalent experience).
15+ years of relevant experience in server/platform system software spanning compute libraries, BMC firmware, BIOS, host OS, drivers, and manageability.
Working experience in building AI infrastructure and systems in space.
Proven record of architecting and delivering platform software for large-scale data centers or mission-critical embedded systems.
Strong knowledge of server architecture, data center manageability, and full-stack integration of firmware with OS and accelerator software.
Hands-on experience with data center health management workflows, telemetry, and fault management at scale.
Proficiency with hardware management interfaces (USB, SMBus/I2C, PCIe) and protocols including Redfish, MCTP, and PLDM.
Strong and demonstrable skill in C/C++ and Python.
Experience programming and debugging server platforms, including pre-silicon and platform bring-up environments.
Experience in SCM (e.g., Git, Perforce) and project management tools like Jira.
Experience architecting platform software for space, aerospace, defense, or other radiation, thermal, and vibration-constrained environments (preferred).
Hands-on experience with autonomous, remote, or unreachable data center operations (preferred).
Hands-on with x86 or ARM system architecture and the NVIDIA AI software stack (preferred).
Familiarity with NSA PHIPs security, post-quantum networking, and aerospace standards (preferred).
Proven technical leadership driving large complex programs with 50+ engineers (preferred).
Skilled in reviewing hardware schematics and PCB layouts for debugging and design verification (preferred).
C/C++
Python
Server Firmware
BMC
x86
ARM
Data Center Management
Git
Perforce
Jira
Firmware Architecture
Telemetry
HPC
Generative AI
System Architecture
RedHat Linux
VMware
vCenter
vSphere
NSX
Tanzu
Avi Load Balancer
JIRA
Confluence
CAMEO
Model Based Systems Engineering
High Performance Computing
Network Design
Computer Virtualization
BOM
BOE
Systems Engineering