Senior Graphics Driver Engineer
At a glance
Senior Embedded & Firmware role at NVIDIA. US, CA, Santa Clara · full-time · $152,000–$241,500 base.
techroles summary, based on the employer's posting.
What you'll do
- Improve graphics software on NVIDIA GPUs, then validate that the changes make professional applications run better
- Study workstation applications and graphics API traces to find performance limits and user experience improvements
- Build experiments and analysis methods that pinpoint bottlenecks, regressions, and variation in results
- Create scripts, tools, and automated checks for profiling, regression detection, and performance validation
- Work with application developers and driver, architecture, and hardware teams to deliver improvements and representative benchmarks
What you bring
- A computer science, software engineering, or computer engineering degree, or equivalent practical experience
- Strong C and C++ ability, plus at least five years analyzing, profiling, optimizing, or debugging software performance
- Knowledge of computer architecture, operating systems, and how software uses graphics APIs and GPU hardware
- You can develop and debug software in Windows and have used source control such as Git or Perforce
Who this fits
This senior engineering role suits someone who enjoys investigating complex workstation workloads and improving graphics performance. You'll collaborate across application and NVIDIA engineering teams.
From the employer
NVIDIA is seeking an engineer who enjoys developing software and uncovering why complex professional applications behave the way they do. You will develop and optimize graphics software, analyze real-world application workloads, design experiments to isolate bottlenecks, debug quality and performance regressions, and collaborate with driver teams to turn your findings into measurable improvements.
You will work with leading professional applications used for design, engineering, digital content creation, and visualization. You will also contribute to the development and analysis of industry-standard workstation benchmarks. This role offers opportunities to solve challenging technical problems while learning about advanced graphics, GPU computing, AI-assisted engineering, and emerging workstation technologies.
What you’ll be doing
Develop, debug, and validate graphics software and optimizations that improve professional application performance on NVIDIA GPUs.
Analyze professional workstation applications and identify opportunities to improve performance and user experience.
Design experiments and develop analysis techniques to isolate complex application-performance bottlenecks.
Profile application and graphics API workloads using traces, performance counters, and other analysis techniques.
Create tools, scripts, and automated workflows, including AI-assisted techniques, for performance analysis, regression detection, and validation.
Collaborate with application developers and NVIDIA driver, architecture, and hardware teams to evaluate and deliver performance improvements.
Develop representative workstation benchmarks that capture meaningful real-world application behavior.
What we need to see
BS, MS, or PhD in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field—or equivalent experience.
Strong C/C++ programming skills.
5+ years experience with software performance analysis, profiling, optimization, or debugging.
Understanding of computer architecture, operating systems, and how applications interact with graphics APIs and GPU hardware.
Familiarity with source-control systems such as Perforce or Git.
Experience with software development methodologies such as design reviews and code reviews.
Ability to develop and debug software in a Windows OS environment.
Strong analytical, problem-solving, communication, and collaboration skills.
Experience using AI-assisted development tools and enthusiasm for learning new technologies.
Ways to stand out from the crowd
Knowledge of graphics APIs such as OpenGL, Direct3D, or Vulkan.
Experience developing low-level systems, graphics, driver, or performance-analysis software.
Experience with application benchmarks or automated performance testing.
Knowledge of statistical techniques for analyzing variance, repeatability, and performance results.
Scripting experience with Python, Perl, or similar languages.
Are you an analytical and highly motivated engineer who enjoys developing graphics software, understanding complex application workloads, and finding effective ways to make them run faster? If you are passionate about workstation performance and solving challenging engineering problems, you may be a great fit for NVIDIA.
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 October 23, 2026.This posting is for an existing vacancy.
NVIDIA uses AI tools in its recruiting processes.
NVIDIA is committed to fostering an inclusive 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.
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