Senior System Software Engineer – CPU SoC Boot Firmware

NVIDIA

Senior engineer developing NVIDIA CPU SoC boot firmware for automotive, datacenter, and critical applications. Building, validating, and supporting secure firmware across pre-silicon and post-silicon platforms.

Posted 8/10/2026full-timeSanta Clara • California, Colorado • 🇺🇸 United StatesSenior💰 $152,000 - $287,500 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in architecting and developing boot firmware for CPUs, with a strong focus on embedded software development, particularly in ARM technologies and Linux kernel software. Proficient in failure analysis, functional safety, and security standards relevant to automotive and semiconductor projects.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Embedded Software DevelopmentC ProgrammingPython ProgrammingLinux Kernel SoftwareAutomotive Functional Safety

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Boot Firmware DevelopmentBare-Metal ProgrammingFailure Analysis (FMEA/DFA)Pre-Silicon Simulation ValidationSilicon VerificationFeature DevelopmentOperating Systems UnderstandingHardware Architecture KnowledgeAI Tools ExperienceContinuous Refinement Skills

Soft Skills

Interpersonal SkillsCommunication SkillsPlanning SkillsOut-of-the-Box ThinkingSuccinct Articulation

Certifications & Qualifications

BS or MS Degree in EE/CS/CE

Industry Keywords

AutomotiveDatacenterCritical ApplicationsSecurity GuidelinesFunctional Safety StandardsSemiconductor Projects

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

LinuxPython

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Architect and develop boot firmware for flagship CPUs used in automotive, datacenter, and other critical applications
Build robust features for core boot firmware following protective and security guidelines
Define, decompose, and verify functional and safety requirements and architecture
Perform failure analysis (FMEA/DFA) on bootloader functionality and architecture
Collaborate with internal and external team members
Validate and verify features on pre-silicon simulation platforms before tapeout
Perform silicon verification and feature development
Provide post-silicon support and productization

Requirements

What you’ll need

BS or MS degree in EE/CS/CE or equivalent experience
5+ years of relevant proven experience
Experience in embedded software development, especially ARM technologies and programming
Experience with bare-metal programming is an additional plus
Strong proficiency in C and Python programming and debugging
Strong understanding of operating systems and kernel programming
Good understanding of hardware architecture
Detailed and extensive experience with Linux kernel software
Experience with embedded software development and verification processes
Bootloader experience is a plus
Understanding of automotive functional safety and security standards and their application in semiconductor projects
Excellent interpersonal, communication, and planning skills
Experience with AI tools such as Codex and creating agentic AI tools is a differentiator
Proficiency creating skills with continuous refinement
Out-of-the-box thinking
Ability to articulate thoughts succinctly

Benefits

Comp & perks

Equity
Benefits
Inclusive work environment