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System Software Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Senior System Software Engineer

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$143.80K - $189.60K/yr

The role involves developing and optimizing software for autonomous vehicle products and collaborating with engineers to implement system software that powers NVIDIA's innovative products.

System Software Engineer - GPU

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$201.60K - $238.90K/yr

We are seeking a System Software Engineer to work on next-generation computing and graphics products. Our charter is to build low level GPU testing frameworks to validate GPUs early in the life cycle.

Senior System Software Engineer

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$143.80K - $189.60K/yr

As a Senior System Software Engineer, you'll work on Drive platform solutions for Autonomous Vehicle products and collaborate with engineers to develop and optimize system software for various ...

System Software Engineer - GPU

Santa Clara, CA

$203.20K - $240.80K/yr

We are seeking a System Software Engineer to work on next-generation computing and graphics products. Our charter is to build low level GPU testing frameworks to validate GPUs early in the life cycle.

Embedded System Software Engineer

Richmond, VA · On-site

$130.10K - $171.20K/yr

Embedded System Software Engineer MPR Associates, Inc. (MPR), a thriving multi-discipline, specialty engineering services and consulting firm, is actively seeking a capable and motivated Embedded ...

System Software Engineer

Bellevue, WA

$195.30K - $231.40K/yr

Cloud Storage Engineer The Cloud Storage team is in charge of design and implementation of New ... systems and databases. * Solid written and verbal communication skills. * Understanding of software ...

Embedded System Software Engineer

Boston, MA

$142.90K - $187.90K/yr

Embedded System Software Engineer MPR Associates, Inc. (MPR), a thriving multi-discipline, specialty engineering services and consulting firm, is actively seeking a capable and motivated Embedded ...

Collaborate in the software engineering process with documentation, testing, and code review Essential Qualifications * 8+ years of experience in system software engineering and embedded platform

OR

$172.80K - $204.80K/yr

NVIDIA is searching for a creative and highly motivated engineer with expertise in system software to join the Tegra system-on-chip (SOC) Software organization. You will design key aspects of our ...

Tegra System Software Engineer

Santa Clara, CA

$203.20K - $240.80K/yr

NVIDIA is searching for a creative and highly motivated engineer with expertise in system software to join the Tegra system-on-chip (SOC) Software organization. You will design key aspects of our ...

Tegra System Software Engineer

Durham, NC

$167.20K - $198.10K/yr

NVIDIA is searching for a creative and highly motivated engineer with expertise in system software to join the Tegra system-on-chip (SOC) Software organization. You will design key aspects of our ...

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System Software Engineer information

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$83K

$177.7K

$206K

How much do system software engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 2, 2026, the average yearly pay for system software engineer in the United States is $177,719.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $173,000.00 and $205,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive as a System Software Engineer, you need strong programming skills in languages like C, C++, or Rust, a deep understanding of operating systems, and typically a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with low-level debugging tools, version control systems (such as Git), and kernel development environments is essential. Analytical thinking, problem-solving ability, and effective teamwork are standout soft skills in this role. These competencies are crucial for building reliable, high-performance system software that underpins critical applications and infrastructure.

What are some common challenges System Software Engineers face when working on large-scale projects?

System Software Engineers working on large-scale projects often encounter challenges such as maintaining system stability while integrating new features, ensuring compatibility across diverse hardware platforms, and optimizing performance under heavy workloads. Coordinating with cross-functional teams, such as hardware engineers and application developers, is essential to address these complexities. Additionally, they must stay updated with evolving technologies and adhere to rigorous testing and debugging practices to prevent system failures.

What does a System Software Engineer do?

A System Software Engineer designs, develops, tests, and maintains the core software that enables computer hardware and system applications to function. This includes operating systems, device drivers, firmware, and other low-level software that interacts closely with hardware components. Their work ensures that systems run efficiently, securely, and reliably. They often collaborate with hardware engineers and application developers to optimize performance and troubleshoot complex technical issues.

What is the difference between System Software Engineer vs Software Developer?

AspectSystem Software EngineerSoftware Developer
CredentialsBachelor's in Computer Science or related field; often some experience with systems programmingBachelor's in Computer Science or related field; focus on application development
Work EnvironmentDesigning and maintaining operating systems, firmware, or system-level applicationsCreating user-facing applications, websites, or mobile apps
Industry UsageTech companies, hardware firms, embedded systemsSoftware firms, startups, enterprise applications
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding roles related to system-level programmingLooking for application or web development roles

System Software Engineers focus on developing and maintaining system-level software like operating systems and firmware, requiring knowledge of hardware and low-level programming. Software Developers typically create applications and user-facing software, emphasizing higher-level programming skills. Both roles often share similar educational backgrounds but differ in their work focus and environment.

More about System Software Engineer jobs
What cities are hiring for System Software Engineer jobs? Cities with the most System Software Engineer job openings:
Who are the top companies hiring for System Software Engineer jobs? The top employers for System Software Engineer jobs are:
What states have the most System Software Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for System Software Engineer jobs include:
Infographic showing various System Software Engineer job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, 1% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 6% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 93% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $177,719 per year, or $85.4 per hour.

Senior System Software Engineer

NVIDIA AI

Santa Clara, CA • On-site

$143.80K - $189.60K/yr

Full-time

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.


Job description

Job Summary:
NVIDIA AI has been transforming computer graphics and PC gaming for over 25 years, and they are seeking a Senior System Software Engineer to join their team. The role involves developing and optimizing software for autonomous vehicle products and collaborating with engineers to implement system software that powers NVIDIA's innovative products.
Responsibilities:
• Working directly with customers on Drive platform solutions for Autonomous Vehicle products
• Collaborating with a team of outstanding engineers to craft and implement system software that powers NVIDIA’s innovative products.
• Developing and optimizing software for various platforms, cloud-based distributed computing, ensuring a flawless performance.
• Engaging closely with multi-functional teams to integrate advanced features and drive projects to successful completion.
• Applying your expertise in developing software through Python as well as C++ to build robust and efficient code.
• Use and build AI tools to improve system capabilities and achieve groundbreaking results.
Qualifications:
Required:
• BS (or equivalent experience) in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related field with at least 5 years of experience; MS preferred
• 2-4 years of hands-on experience in system software development.
• Solid understanding of software engineering concepts, CS fundamentals and software development workflows.
• Good understanding of AI data processing frameworks such as TensorFlow and PyTorch
• Experience in building containers and automating the continuous integration and deployment workflows.
• Experience with using AI tools for development workflows.
• A consistent record of working collaboratively in a team environment and delivering outstanding results.
• Proficiency in coding with Python and C++.
• Working knowledge of building and deploying Software Development Kits is a bonus.
Preferred:
• You'll be a fun and motivated teammate who enjoys a challenge and celebrates success.
• Working experience with Agentic AI tools for computing infrastructure management.
• Expertise in problem-solving and complexity analysis of distributed systems.
• Excellent written and verbal interpersonal skills.
• Previous experience with building sophisticated tooling and SRE automation on the large GPU/CPU clusters.
Company:
Explore the latest breakthroughs made possible with AI. Founded in , the company is headquartered in Santa Clara, CA, US, , with a team of 10001+ employees. The company is currently Late Stage.