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Automotive Performance Engineer Jobs in California

PERFORMANCE HARD PARTS ENGINEER 034Motorsport, a leading automotive aftermarket company, is currently seeking to hire a Hard Parts Engineer for our Fremont, CA location. We are a passionate and ...

... Mobile, Compute, Automotive, and IOT. In the role of System Performance Engineer, you will ... collaborate with software, hardware, and architecture teams to optimize power, performance, and ...

PERFORMANCE HARD PARTS ENGINEER 034Motorsport, a leading automotive aftermarket company, is currently seeking to hire a Hard Parts Engineer for our Fremont, CA location. We are a passionate and ...

PERFORMANCE HARD PARTS ENGINEER 034Motorsport, a leading automotive aftermarket company, is currently seeking to hire a Hard Parts Engineer for our Fremont, CA location. We are a passionate and ...

System Performance Engineer, Senior

San Diego, CA · On-site

$110K - $151K/yr

... Automotive, IOT, Server and Data Center AI. In the role of System Performance Engineer, you will ... collaborate with software, hardware, and architecture teams to optimize power, performance, and ...

Mechanical Design Engineer

Azusa, CA

$77K - $104K/yr

We are seeking an aspiring Mechanical Design Engineer to help us design and develop high-performance automotive products and systems using CAD, CFD, FEA tools. You will manage design projects from ...

NVH Engineer II

Irvine, CA · On-site

$80K - $93K/yr

NVH Engineer II * Evaluate, Test and Develop the Total Vehicle performance / Noise and Vibration ... the automotive industry * Coursework in Vehicle Dynamics, Signal Analysis, Noise & Vibrations ...

NVH Engineer II

Irvine, CA · Hybrid

$80K - $93K/yr

NVH Engineer II * Evaluate, Test and Develop the Total Vehicle performance / Noise and Vibration ... the automotive industry * Coursework in Vehicle Dynamics, Signal Analysis, Noise & Vibrations ...

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Automotive Performance Engineer information

See California salary details

$10

$59

$96

How much do automotive performance engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 26, 2026, the average hourly pay for automotive performance engineer in California is $59.32, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $48.65 and $67.12 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Automotive Performance Engineer position, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Automotive Performance Engineer, you need a solid background in mechanical or automotive engineering, with expertise in vehicle dynamics, engine tuning, and data analysis. Familiarity with tools such as dynamometers, simulation software (like MATLAB or Simulink), and industry certifications such as ASE or similar are often required. Strong problem-solving abilities, clear communication, and teamwork are essential soft skills for this role. These skills ensure that performance engineers can optimize vehicle systems effectively, collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, and drive innovation in a competitive automotive environment.

What does an Automotive Performance Engineer do?

An Automotive Performance Engineer focuses on optimizing vehicle performance, including engine power, handling, aerodynamics, and fuel efficiency. They conduct tests, analyze data, and collaborate with design teams to enhance speed, durability, and overall driving experience. Their work involves using simulation tools, dynamometers, and real-world testing to fine-tune components. These engineers often work in motorsports, high-performance vehicle manufacturing, or research and development.

What are the typical daily responsibilities of an Automotive Performance Engineer?

Automotive Performance Engineers typically spend their days conducting vehicle tests, analyzing performance data, and developing strategies to enhance powertrain, suspension, and overall vehicle performance. They collaborate closely with design, testing, and manufacturing teams to implement improvements and troubleshoot issues. The role also involves using simulation software and diagnostic tools to validate engineering changes and ensure compliance with safety or emissions standards. This mix of hands-on testing, data analysis, and teamwork makes the job dynamic and rewarding for those passionate about automotive innovation.

What are popular job titles related to Automotive Performance Engineer jobs in California? For Automotive Performance Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Automotive Performance Engineer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Automotive Performance Engineer jobs in California are:
Infographic showing various Automotive Performance Engineer job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 86% Full Time, 11% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 97% Physical, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $123,381 per year, or $59.3 per hour.
Senior System Software Engineer, Automotive Performance

Senior System Software Engineer, Automotive Performance

NVIDIA

Santa Clara, CA • On-site

$143K - $189K/yr

Full-time

Posted 10 days ago


Nvidia rating

9.6

Company rating: 9.6 out of 10

Based on 17 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

8th of 245 rated software companies


Job description

Job Summary:
NVIDIA has been transforming computer graphics, PC gaming, and accelerated computing for more than 25 years. They are seeking a Senior System Software Engineer to optimize system software for automotive performance platforms and collaborate with various teams to enhance performance solutions in the automotive industry.
Responsibilities:
• Play a key role in optimizing system software for Nvidia automotive performance platforms with Safe RTOS.
• Collaborate closely with Hardware Architecture, DriveOS, Power, and Test teams to track key boot & runtime performance benchmarks.
• Ensure the software and hardware meet projected targets by closely supervising micro benchmarks and industry-standard benchmarks across IPs.
• Contribute to developing innovative features in automotive profiling tools with AI assistance.
• Benchmark the hypervisor and ensure the lowest overhead on ARM systems.
• Collaborate with the ADAS/AV team in optimizing the next-gen stack from NVIDIA on Tegra platforms.
Qualifications:
Required:
• Master’s degree in computer science, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• A minimum of 12 years of proven experience in systems or software performance.
• Solid C/C++ programming abilities accompanied by previous experience in the automotive sector.
• Proficiency in Linux and QNX; Knowledge of Android is advantageous but not mandatory.
• Solid understanding of Benchmarking, boot time optimization, compiler optimizations and runtime performance improvements.
• Knowledge of hypervisors, virtualization, and overhead analysis.
• Experience working with profiling utilities to improve system software efficiency.
Preferred:
• AI/ML experience is highly desirable.
Company:
NVIDIA is a computing platform company operating at the intersection of graphics, HPC, and AI. Founded in 1993, the company is headquartered in Santa Clara, USA, with a team of 10001+ employees. The company is currently Late Stage.

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About Nvidia

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

NVIDIA has been transforming computer graphics, PC gaming, and accelerated computing for more than 25 years. It's a unique legacy of innovation that's fueled by great technology--and amazing people. Today, we're tapping into the unlimited potential of AI to define the next era of computing. An era in which our GPU acts as the brains of computers, robots, and self-driving cars that can understand the world. Doing what's never been done before takes vision, innovation, and the world's best talent.

Industry

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Santa Clara, CA, US

Year founded

1993