Principal System Software Engineer, AV Platform

Nvidia

Confirmed live yesterday High trust

Quick summary

Work type: On-site
Location: Santa Clara, CA
Salary: $272,000–$431,250 / yr
Posted: 13 days ago
Freshness: Confirmed live yesterday
Nearby: 99+ roles within 25 mi

Market check

Salary context

Above market

How this pay compares to similar roles

Similar $203k

This role $352k

$108k most similar roles pay here $466k

This role pays more than 99% of similar roles. Most pay $174,600–$231,000 — the shaded band above. At the midpoint, this role pays about $352k versus about $203k 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 896 open roles on FindRole.

Listed pay typically runs $184,000–$287,500 across 876 roles with salary data.

Most-posted roles

View all roles at Nvidia

At a glance

TL;DR · Principal System Software Engineer, AV Platform

Role Posting Log in to save

As a Principal System Software Engineer - AV Platform, you will join the team to drive next-generation innovations in automotive platform software, system architecture, and performance engineering. You will be responsible for the architecture, development, and optimization of foundational software technologies powering automotive compute platforms. Your daily work involves designing, debugging, and optimizing low-level system software including kernels, drivers, middleware, runtime frameworks, and platform services while leading performance initiatives across CPU, GPU, memory, storage, and networking subsystems. You will utilize C, C++, and Python to solve complex system-level challenges regarding reliability and determinism. The role requires expertise in Linux system internals, embedded systems, and virtualization technologies. This position focuses on the technical challenge of building high-performance, scalable, and safety-critical software solutions for automotive compute platforms and autonomous driving systems.

What does a System Software Engineer earn in California?

Median $235750 from 37 postings across 4 companies.

See salary data

Skills

C C++ Python Linux Kernel Embedded Linux RTOS Device Drivers GPU Middleware System Architecture Performance Engineering Virtualization ISO 26262 AUTOSAR ASPICE AI/ML

What you'll do

Drive system software architecture and technical direction for next-generation automotive compute platforms.
Lead performance optimization initiatives across CPU, GPU, memory, storage, networking, and platform subsystems.
Develop and optimize low-level system software including kernel, drivers, middleware, and runtime frameworks.
Analyze complex system bottlenecks to improve performance, reliability, determinism, and efficiency.
Execute software bring-up, profiling, debugging, and performance tuning for new automotive platforms.
Conduct hands-on code development, architecture reviews, and deep-level system debugging.
Mentor engineers and drive a culture of technical excellence and innovation.

What we're looking for

Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
15+ years of hands-on experience in systems software, embedded systems, platform software, kernel development, or performance engineering.
Deep expertise in Linux system internals, kernel architecture, device drivers, and low-level system software development.
Strong programming skills in C/C++ with proficiency in Python or other scripting languages.
Proven experience debugging and optimizing complex distributed or heterogeneous computing systems.
Experience with embedded Linux, RTOS, virtualization technologies, or multi-core system architectures.
Demonstrated ability to provide technical leadership while remaining hands-on in development, debugging, and architecture activities.
Experience with automotive software platforms, ADAS, autonomous driving systems, or relevant safety standards like ISO 26262.

Save