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Compiler Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Compiler Engineer

Santa Clara, CA

$128.88K - $181.94K/yr

As a Compiler Engineer, you will play a critical role in designing, developing, testing, debugging, and maintaining Intel's industry-leading LLVM-based compiler stack, including C, C++, SYCL, and ...

Compiler Engineer

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$128.88K - $181.94K/yr

As a Compiler Engineer, you will play a critical role in designing, developing, testing, debugging, and maintaining Intel's industry-leading LLVM-based compiler stack, including C, C++, SYCL, and ...

Senior LLVM Compiler Engineer

Santa Clara, CA · On-site +1

$121.80K - $167.20K/yr

We are seeking for an expert Senior Compiler Engineer to join our Compute Compiler Team, with a focus on upstream engagement with the LLVM ecosystem and advancing NVIDIA's compiler technology through ...

Senior LLVM Compiler Engineer

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$122.70K - $168.50K/yr

We are seeking for an expert Senior Compiler Engineer to join our Compute Compiler Team, with a focus on upstream engagement with the LLVM ecosystem and advancing NVIDIA's compiler technology through ...

Senior LLVM Compiler Engineer

Santa Clara, CA

$122.70K - $168.50K/yr

We are seeking for an expert Senior Compiler Engineer to join our Compute Compiler Team, with a focus on upstream engagement with the LLVM ecosystem and advancing NVIDIA's compiler technology through ...

Design and build the compiler that converts AI models from popular ML frameworks into assembly code that runs on our accelerator hardware. * Develop and implement novel scheduling algorithms that ...

NVIDIA's HPC Compiler team is looking to hire a Compiler Engineering Manager to join the team building one of the world's most important optimizing compiler products. Your work will support ...

Senior Compiler Engineer Infrastructure

Santa Clara, CA · On-site +1

$127.40K - $173.20K/yr

We are looking for an experienced Compiler Infrastructure Engineer to join our Compute Compiler Team, with a primary focus on aligning NVIDIA's compiler codebases with open-source ecosystems and ...

Advanced Technology: Compiler Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

$144.10K - $190.20K/yr

The role involves designing and implementing compiler passes for the Tungsten toolchain, collaborating closely with teams to shape both the language and hardware it targets. Responsibilities : • ...

Senior Compiler Engineer - AI

Santa Clara, CA

$143.90K - $189.70K/yr

We are seeking an AI Compiler Engineer with deep expertise in compiler technologies to join our team. The ideal candidate brings broad experience across machine learning, including reinforcement ...

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Compiler information

See California salary details

$9

$20

$35

How much do compiler jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 1, 2026, the average hourly pay for compiler in California is $20.54, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.19 and $23.94 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Compiler, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Compiler Engineer, you need a strong background in computer science, programming languages, and compiler theory, often supported by a relevant degree. Familiarity with tools like LLVM, GCC, and experience with languages such as C/C++ or Rust are typically required. Analytical thinking, problem-solving, and effective communication are essential soft skills in this field. These skills ensure the development of efficient, reliable compilers that support robust software and systems development.

What are the common challenges faced when working as a Compiler Engineer, and how can they be addressed?

Compiler Engineers often encounter challenges such as optimizing code for performance, ensuring compatibility across various hardware architectures, and maintaining the correctness of complex transformations. Debugging and diagnosing issues in the compilation process can be particularly intricate, requiring a strong understanding of both source and target languages. Collaborating closely with language designers and hardware engineers, as well as utilizing automated testing and profiling tools, helps address these challenges and results in more robust and efficient compilers.

What is a compiler?

A compiler is a specialized computer program that translates source code written in a high-level programming language into machine code or another lower-level language that a computer can execute. This process allows developers to write code in languages like C++, Java, or Python, which are easier for humans to understand, and then have it converted into instructions that hardware can process. Compilers perform various tasks such as syntax analysis, optimization, and code generation to ensure the resulting program runs efficiently and correctly.

What is the difference between Compiler vs Interpreter?

AspectCompilerInterpreter
FunctionTranslates entire code into machine language before executionTranslates code line-by-line during execution
SpeedFaster execution after compilationSlower due to real-time translation
UsageUsed in languages like C, C++Used in languages like Python, JavaScript
ErrorsErrors are found after compilationErrors are detected during execution
OutputProduces standalone executable filesRuns directly from source code

In summary, a compiler translates the entire program into machine code before execution, resulting in faster runtime and standalone files. An interpreter translates code line-by-line during execution, which can be slower but allows for easier debugging and dynamic execution. Both are essential in different programming environments depending on performance and development needs.

What are the most commonly searched types of Compiler jobs in California? The most popular types of Compiler jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Compiler jobs? Cities in California with the most Compiler job openings:
Infographic showing various Compiler job openings in California as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 96% Full Time, 2% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $42,720 per year, or $20.5 per hour.
Senior Compiler Engineer Infrastructure

Senior Compiler Engineer Infrastructure

Nvidia Corporation

Santa Clara, CA • On-site

$127.40K - $173.20K/yr

Full-time

Posted 25 days ago


Job description

Come join the team and see how you can make a lasting impact on the world. We are looking for an experienced Compiler Infrastructure Engineer to join our Compute Compiler Team, with a primary focus on aligning NVIDIA's compiler codebases with open-source ecosystems and improving developer productivity at scale. This role sits at the intersection of open-source compiler development, internal compiler infrastructure, and developer experience. You will play a central role in reconciling downstream compiler repositories with upstream open-source projects such as LLVM, Clang, and MLIR, while building the tooling, workflows, and infrastructure that enable compiler engineers across NVIDIA to move faster and with higher confidence.
Our compiler organization makes its mark on every GPU NVIDIA produces. By improving how our internal compiler stacks align with open source and by modernizing the tools our developers rely on, you will help ensure that NVIDIA continues to lead in scalable, maintainable, and community-driven compiler technology. If you are passionate about open-source stewardship, large-scale codebase alignment, and using modern tooling (including AI-assisted workflows) to improve developer velocity, we would love to hear from you.
What you will be doing:
  • Reconcile and synchronize downstream compiler codebases with open-source repositories, including restructuring, refactoring, and upstreaming internal changes where appropriate
  • Lead efforts to restructure, merge, or retire internal code to reduce divergence from upstream open-source projects
  • Design and build infrastructure, tooling, and developer workflows that improve productivity, correctness, and maintainability for internal compiler engineers
  • Develop automation and developer tools to aid in rebasing, patch management, validation, and large-scale refactoring
  • Explore and apply AI-assisted tools to improve developer workflows, including code navigation, change analysis, refactoring assistance, testing, and review efficiency
  • Partner with compiler developers, architecture teams, and CI/test infrastructure teams to ensure changes scale across geographically distributed organizations
  • Serve as a technical bridge between internal compiler development and open-source ecosystems, helping shape long-term alignment strategies

What we need to see:
  • B.S., M.S., or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience)
  • Experience with open-source compiler frameworks
  • Excellent hands-on C++ programming skills
  • 3+ years experience working with large-scale, long-lived codebases, including refactoring and restructuring efforts
  • Solid understanding of compiler internals, including IRs, passes, build systems, and toolchains
  • Familiarity with source-control-heavy workflows (e.g., downstream vs. upstream repos, patch queues, rebasing strategies)
  • Strong software engineering fundamentals with an emphasis on robust, maintainable developer infrastructure
  • Good communication and documentation skills; ability to collaborate across teams and time zones

Ways to stand out from the crowd:
  • Direct experience reconciling or maintaining downstream forks of open-source projects
  • Experience building developer productivity tools, CI infrastructure, or large-scale automation
  • Practical experience applying AI or ML-based tools to improve engineering workflows
  • Background in GPU programming, CUDA, or parallel programming models
  • Familiarity with deep learning frameworks and performance-sensitive workloads on NVIDIA GPUs

With highly competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits package, NVIDIA is widely considered to be one of the technology industry's most desirable employers. We have some of the most brilliant and hardworking people in the world working with us and our product lines are growing fast in some of the hottest state of the art fields such as Virtual Reality, Artificial Intelligence, Deep Learning and Autonomous Vehicles.
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 May 11, 2026.
This posting is for an existing vacancy.
NVIDIA uses AI tools in its recruiting processes.
NVIDIA is committed to fostering a diverse 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.

Nvidia logo

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