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Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Principal System Software Engineer - **Company:** NVIDIA Ltd. - **Location:** Santa Clara, CA, United States - **Salary:** $272,000.0 - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** C (Programming Language), Artificial Intelligence, Computing Platforms, Systems Engineering, AUTomotive Open System Architecture (AUTOSAR), C++ (Programming Language), Program Optimization, Profiling, Computer Programming, Computer Engineering, Software Debugging, Linux, Device Drivers, Distributed Systems, Linux on Embedded Systems, Middleware, Embedded Software, Firmware, Systems Analysis, Internet Security, Python (Programming Language), Linux Kernel, Multiprocessing, Open Source Technology, Performance Tuning, Software Architecture, Systems Development Life Cycle, Real-Time Operating Systems, Reliability Engineering, ISO/IEC 15504, Software Engineering, Subsystems, Systems Architecture, System Software, Virtualization Technology, Scripting, Graphics Processing Unit (GPU), Computerised Systems, Information Technology, Automotive Software - **Published:** August 11, 2026 - **Apply:** https://www.careerbuilder.com/job-details/principal-system-software-engineer-av-platform-santa-clara-ca--bb1e6c1b-87fc-4405-b428-f6e60c7f0d77 ## About the Role * Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience). * 15+ years of substantial 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 experience in Python or scripting languages. * Proven experience debugging and optimizing complex distributed or heterogeneous computing systems. * Strong background in performance analysis and optimization across CPU, GPU, memory, storage, and interconnect subsystems. * Experience with embedded Linux, RTOS, virtualization technologies, or multi-core system architectures. * Demonstrated ability to lead technically while remaining deeply hands-on in development, debugging, and architecture activities. * Experience collaborating across hardware and software organizations in highly matrixed environments. * Strong communication, problem-solving, and technical leadership skills. Ways to stand out from the crowd: * Experience with automotive software platforms, ADAS, or autonomous driving systems. * Familiarity with ISO 26262, AUTOSAR, ASPICE, or automotive cybersecurity frameworks. * Experience with GPU-accelerated computing and AI/ML software platforms. * Contributions to Linux kernel, open-source systems software, or performance tooling. * Experience building scalable software architectures for centralized vehicle compute platforms., Artificial Intelligence (AI), Audiovisual, Automotive Technology, Autonomous Driving Systems, C Programming Language, C++ Programming Language, CPU (Central Processing Unit), Communication Skills, Computer Engineering, Computer Firmware, Computer Programming, Computer Science, Computer Systems, Debugging Skills, Device Drivers, Distributed Computing, Electrical Engineering, Embedded Software, Embedded Systems, Engineering, GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), Hardware Architecture, ISO (International Organization for Standardization), Internet Security, Kernel Programming, Leadership, Linux Kernel, Linux System Internals/Programming, Machine Tool, Matrix Management, Memory Hardware, Mentoring, Middleware, Open Source, Performance Analysis, Performance Engineering, Performance Management, Performance Tuning/Optimization, Problem Solving Skills, Python Programming/Scripting Language, Reliability Engineering, Safety Systems, Scalable System Development, Scripting (Scripting Languages), Software Architecture, Software Development, Software Engineering, System Architecture, Systems Analysis, Systems Engineering, Technical Leadership ## Description NVIDIA is seeking a highly motivated Principal System Software Engineer to drive next-generation innovations in automotive platform software, system architecture, and performance engineering. In this highly visible technical leadership role, you will contribute directly to the architecture, development, optimization, and scaling of foundational software technologies powering NVIDIA automotive compute platforms. You will work closely with hardware, architecture, kernel, AI, middleware, and platform teams to deliver high-performance, scalable, and safety-critical system software solutions. This role requires deep technical expertise, substantial proven hands-on engineering experience, and the ability to solve complex system-level challenges across the software stack. What you'll be doing: * 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. * Design, develop, debug, and optimize low-level system software including kernel, drivers, middleware, runtime frameworks, and platform services. * Collaborate closely with silicon, firmware, AI, and platform architecture teams to deliver optimized end-to-end solutions. * Analyze complex system bottlenecks and develop scalable solutions to improve performance, reliability, determinism, and efficiency. * Drive software bring-up, profiling, debugging, and performance tuning for new automotive platforms. * Contribute hands-on to critical software development, architecture reviews, debugging, and system optimization efforts. * Mentor engineers and help drive a culture of technical excellence, innovation, and execution. ## Related Videos - [Software defines the vehicle: Why customers and developers will love cars even more](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1114-software-defines-the-vehicle-why-customers-and-developers-will-love-cars-even-more) - [Profiling Symfony & PHP apps with Blackfire](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/265-profiling-symfony-php-apps-with-blackfire) - [Playing Pong on a shoulder press machine](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100140-playing-pong-on-a-shoulder-press-machine) - [Docker network without Docker](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1418-docker-network-without-docker) - [Enhancing Workload Security in Kubernetes](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/356-enhancing-workload-security-in-kubernetes) - [Agent Smith Gets Hardware: Autonomous IoT Hacking From Debug Port to Cloud API](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100258-agent-smith-gets-hardware-autonomous-iot-hacking-from-debug-port-to-cloud-api) ## Related Articles - [How software is steering vehicle technology](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/515-how-software-is-steering-vehicle-technology) - [Highest Paying Tech Companies for Developers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/220-highest-paying-tech-companies-for-developers) - [Is Software Engineering Hard?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/448-is-software-engineering-hard) - [Best Countries for Software Engineers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/267-best-countries-for-software-engineers) - [The Ultimate Software Engineer Career Path Guide for 2023](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/146-the-ultimate-software-engineer-career-path-guide-for-2023) - [What Jobs Can You Get with a Software Engineering Degree?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/398-what-jobs-can-you-get-with-a-software-engineering-degree)