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Windows Driver Developer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

AbbVie

Device Software Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Familiarity with DevOps and Agile software development. Qualifications * BS or higher in a STEM ... be helpful: windows driver development, automation of software framework for operations ...

AbbVie

Device Software Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Familiarity with DevOps and Agile software development. Qualifications * BS or higher in a STEM ... be helpful: windows driver development, automation of software framework for operations ...

Qualcomm

Windows Performance Engineer, Staff

San Diego, CA · On-site

$148K/yr

... Drivers, Assembly Language, CPU microarchitecture and SoC/Memory/Bus architecture. As a Windows Performance Developer, you'll be owning and driving analysis of complex system level performance ...

Bolt Graphics

GPU Driver Lead

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

$175K - $250K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Lead the development of User & Kernel Mode Drivers that can be executed on a host CPU running Windows or Linux, or embedded on a RISC-V CPU running Linux * Lead an internal team of driver engineers ...

Qualcomm

Windows Performance Engineer, Staff

San Diego, CA · On-site

$134.80 - $202.20/hr

The senior developer will own and drive analysis of complex system level performance aspects and ... Ability to debug complex problems across multiple layers of Hardware, OS, compiler, and drivers.

Microsoft

Principal Firmware Engineer

Mountain View, CA · On-site

$188K - $304K/yr

Understanding of OS Linux Windows driver development is desirable * Experience in leading a small team of engineers is desirable Firmware Engineering IC5 - The typical base pay range for this role ...

Prosum

Windows OS Internals Guru (C++)

San Diego, CA · On-site

Company Description Our client is seeking an elite engineer with extensive experience working with ... Driver development expertise is recommended and familiarity working with malware is highly ...

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Showing results 21-40

All JobsWindows Driver Developer JobsWindows Driver Developer Jobs in California

Windows Driver Developer information

See California salary details

$59.7K

$133.2K

$220.6K

How much do windows driver developer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for windows driver developer in California is $133,202.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $108,600.00 and $157,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some typical challenges faced by Windows driver developers in their day-to-day work?

Windows Driver Developers commonly encounter challenges such as debugging low-level kernel issues, ensuring compatibility across different hardware configurations, and maintaining system stability while integrating new drivers. They must often troubleshoot complex interactions between hardware, the Windows operating system, and other software components, which can require deep diagnostic skills and careful attention to system logs. Collaborating with hardware engineers, QA testers, and other software developers is usually a regular part of the job to ensure seamless functionality and address issues quickly. Despite these challenges, the role offers opportunities to work on technically interesting problems and contribute to high-impact system components.

What is a Windows driver developer?

A Windows Driver Developer is responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining device drivers that enable hardware components to communicate with the Windows operating system. They work with low-level programming languages like C and C++, using frameworks such as the Windows Driver Kit (WDK). Their role often involves debugging, optimizing performance, and ensuring compatibility with different Windows versions. These developers collaborate with hardware engineers and software teams to ensure seamless hardware functionality.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Windows driver developer?

A Windows Driver Developer should have strong proficiency in C/C++ programming, solid knowledge of Windows operating system internals, and experience with kernel-mode software development. Familiarity with tools like Visual Studio, Windows Driver Kit (WDK), and version control systems, as well as certifications such as Microsoft Certified: Windows Developer Associate, are highly valued. Attention to detail, effective problem-solving, and the ability to communicate technical concepts clearly are crucial soft skills for the role. These skills enable developers to create robust, secure, and high-performance drivers that integrate seamlessly with complex hardware and software ecosystems.

What are the most commonly searched types of Windows Driver Developer jobs in California?

The most popular types of Windows Driver Developer jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Windows Driver Developer jobs in California?

For Windows Driver Developer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Windows Driver Developer jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Windows Driver Developer jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Windows Driver Developer jobs?

Cities in California with the most Windows Driver Developer job openings:

Windows Driver Developer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Windows Driver Developer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 70% Full Time, 25% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $133,202 per year, or $64 per hour.

System Software Engineer - GPU and SOC

Nvidia

Santa Clara, CA

$203K - $240K/yr

Full-time

Posted 15 days ago

Nvidia rating

9.6

Company rating: 9.6 out of 10

Based on 17 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

7th of 244 rated software companies

Job description

NVIDIA is searching for a highly motivated, creative engineer to join the GPU Software team. As a GPU/SOC system software engineer, you will work with a team of very dedicated software and hardware engineers involving a wide variety of technologies. As someone who is hardworking and passionate about their work, you will craft and debug key aspects of our production GPU and SOC kernel drivers and embedded SW, focusing on platform performance, power savings, and robustness. You should demonstrate the ability to excel in an environment with intricate system level interactions.

What your role entails:

  • Design, implement and debug changes in the NVIDIA SW stack to take next-gen HW from design / development stage to production, with focus on kernel-mode SW

  • You will follow the devices all the way through the development process to datacenter systems, customer desktops, notebooks, workstations, and gaming console products that are used throughout the world

  • Be heavily involved in emulation, bringup, and product hardening required to build our groundbreaking products

  • Multiple opportunities to collaborate and communicate effectively with teams from all around the globe

What we need to see:

  • BS or MS degree in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or equivalent experience

  • 8+ years of relevant software development experience

  • Background in solving problems that apply to sophisticated systems deployed at scale

  • Strong C/C++ programming skills as well as having shown initiative in pursuing independent coding projects

  • Familiarity with computer system architecture, microprocessor, and microcontroller fundamentals (caches, buses, memory controllers, DMA, etc.)

  • Strong Operating systems fundamentals with Kernel experience on Linux or Windows systems

Ways to stand out from the crowd:

  • Background and strength with system-level (SW and HW) debugging is invaluable

  • Windows Driver Models, with WDDM or MCDM a strong plus.

  • Familiarity with system level security concepts

  • Experience with system software concepts

NVIDIA is widely recognized as one of the most sought-after employers in the technology sector. NVIDIA is also an equal opportunity employer. We have some of the most forward-thinking and hardworking people in the world working here. If you're creative, passionate and self-motivated, we want to hear from you! NVIDIA is leading the way in groundbreaking developments in Artificial Intelligence, High-Performance Computing and Visualization. The GPU, our invention, serves as the visual cortex of modern computers and is at the heart of our products and services.

Your base salary will be determined based on your location, experience, and the pay of employees in similar positions. The base salary range is 184,000 USD - 287,500 USD for Level 4, and 224,000 USD - 356,500 USD for Level 5.

You will also be eligible for equity and benefits.

Applications for this job will be accepted at least until August 4, 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.

What Nvidia employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

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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

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