AI Insights
NVIDIA

Lead System Software Engineer Platform - Server Embedded Firmware

NVIDIA · Santa Clara, California, US
full-timelead (12-20 yrs)Posted 20d ago
Software EngineeringIC5ICOn-site
StackCC++PythonBashGoARM Cortex-MFreeRTOSZephyr RTOSMCTPPLDMSPDMRedfishSMBUSI3CUSBBMC firmwareLinuxDMAMulti-threadingMemory managementStatic analysisUnit testingHardware schematicsLogic analyzersProtocol analyzersOscilloscopesDMTF standardsOCP recoveryOpenBMCFPGA

Summary

Senior/Lead embedded firmware engineer role at NVIDIA focused on ARM microcontroller firmware for GPU server platforms, including BMC manageability, RTOS development, and DMTF protocols (MCTP, PLDM, SPDM, Redfish).

About the role

NVIDIA’s invention of the GPU in 1999 fueled the growth of the PC gaming market, redefined modern computer graphics, and revolutionized parallel computing. More recently, GPU deep learning ignited modern AI — the next era of computing — with the GPU acting as the brain of computers, robots, and self-driving cars that can perceive and understand the world. Today, we are increasingly known as “the AI computing company.” We're looking to grow our company, and form teams with the smartest people in the world.

Are you ready to change the next generation of computing? Join us at the forefront of technological advancement.

What you’ll be doing:

  • Design and implement Microcontroller Firmware for GPU Server platforms, focusing on but not limited to ARM M-class microcontrollers.

  • Develop C/C++ server manageability features in an RTOS embedded-optimized environment.

  • Perform hands-on work with microcontroller firmware bring-up, debugging, performance analysis, and coding manageability features for NVIDIA’s Server platforms.

  • Develop embedded management software to enable reporting and connectivity between server management devices.

  • Implement register-based communication and DMTF standard messaging protocols for seamless interaction between BMC, GPUs, switches, memory, I/O expanders, sensors, and local microcontroller peripherals.

  • Design a highly portable microcontroller framework that will be implemented across a wide variety of server management subsystems. Develop and review code, write and review design documents, and collaborate with team members to meet product requirements.

  • Instrument code for maximum coverage, automate unit tests, maintain detailed test case reports, and provide software quality reports based on static analysis, code coverage, and microcontroller load.

  • Collaborate with security and hardware teams to ensure code aligns with security goals and influence hardware design and architecture review. Develop performance-optimized active monitoring BMC solutions using DMTF Standards such as MCTP, Redfish, SPDM, and PLDM specifications.

What we need to see:

  • A Bachelor of Science Degree (or higher) in Electrical Engineering or Computer Science or equivalent experience.

  • 12+ years of experience in low level microcontroller Firmware development on embedded microcontrollers using Zephyr or FreeRTOS

  • Demonstrated experience in developing BMC and/or microcontroller firmware for managing CPU, GPU, Network and Storage Devices.

  • Experience with the following embedded interfaces - USB and I3C. Sound experience working with ARM Integrated Development Environments (IDE), debuggers, logic and protocol analyzers, and oscilloscopes.

  • A deep understanding of interrupt schemes, multi-threading, DMA, memory management, and working in resource restricted embedded environments.

  • Strong embedded programming and scripting skills using C/C++, Bash, Python, Go, etc.

  • Experience reviewing and using hardware schematics, reference manuals, and datasheets for embedded development.

  • Expertise working with server manageability protocols such as MCTP, PLDM, SPDM, SMBUS, and OCP recovery.

  • Solid understanding of Linux fundamentals, various distributions, packages, upgrade mechanisms, and image building/deployment.

Ways to stand out from the crowd:

  • Hands on background working with microcontroller embedded firmware development and OOB management

  • Hands-on experience implementing MCTP stack in embedded environments or FPGA. Contributor to industry groups like Open Compute, OpenBMC, DMTF and open source.

  • Expertise in system software and platform security for x86/ARM based Rack/Blade server systems.

NVIDIA is widely considered to be one of the technology world’s most desirable employers. We have some of the most forward-thinking and hardworking people in the world working for us. If you're creative and autonomous, we want to hear from you!

Your base salary will be determined based on your location, experience, and the pay of employees in similar positions. The base salary range is 224,000 USD - 356,500 USD for Level 5, and 272,000 USD - 431,250 USD for Level 6.

You will also be eligible for equity and benefits.

Applications for this job will be accepted at least until April 9, 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.

What you'll do

1Design and implement microcontroller firmware for GPU server platforms on ARM M-class microcontrollers
2Develop C/C++ server manageability features in an RTOS embedded-optimized environment
3Perform firmware bring-up, debugging, performance analysis, and feature coding for server platforms
4Implement register-based communication and DMTF standard messaging protocols between BMC, GPUs, switches, memory, I/O expanders, sensors, and peripherals
5Design a highly portable microcontroller framework across a wide variety of server management subsystems
6Instrument code, automate unit tests, maintain test case reports, and provide software quality reports using static analysis and code coverage
7Collaborate with security and hardware teams to ensure code security alignment and influence hardware architecture
8Develop performance-optimized active monitoring BMC solutions using DMTF standards (MCTP, Redfish, SPDM, PLDM)

Requirements

12+ years of low-level microcontroller firmware development on ARM embedded systems using Zephyr or FreeRTOS
Demonstrated experience developing BMC and/or microcontroller firmware for managing CPU, GPU, network, and storage devices
Deep expertise in embedded interfaces (USB, I3C), interrupt schemes, multi-threading, DMA, and memory management in resource-constrained environments
Strong proficiency in embedded programming and scripting with C/C++, Bash, Python, and/or Go
Solid understanding of server manageability protocols including MCTP, PLDM, SPDM, SMBUS, and OCP recovery, plus Linux fundamentals and image building

Nice to have

OpenBMC contribution experience
MCTP stack implementation in embedded environments or FPGA
Contribution to Open Compute, DMTF, or other industry groups
Platform security expertise for x86/ARM rack/blade server systems
Out-of-band (OOB) management experience

Role overview

Role family
Software Engineering
Level
IC5 — embedded
Experience
12–20 years
Type
Individual Contributor
Remote policy
On-site
Visa sponsorship
Not offered

Tech stack analysis

LANGUAGES
CC++PythonBashGo
FRAMEWORKS
FreeRTOSZephyr RTOSOpenBMC
INFRASTRUCTURE
ARM Cortex-M microcontrollersFPGALinux
TOOLS
ARM IDEGDB/hardware debuggersLogic analyzersProtocol analyzersOscilloscopesStatic analysis toolsCode coverage tools

Green flags

6 items
Salary range explicitly disclosed — wide but high band ($224K–$431K base) for L5/L6, plus equitycompensation

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Benefits breakdown

HEALTH & WELLNESS
Medical, dental, vision (implied by 'benefits' at a top-tier employer like NVIDIA)

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Hiring insights

JD quality
8/10
Urgency
high
Autonomy
high
Team size
medium (5-15)

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Red flags

PRO4 items
12+ years experience for an IC role is a high bar and may screen out strong candidates with 8–11 years of equivalent depthrequirements

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Interview insights

PRO
Rounds
5
Duration
4 wks
Difficulty
very hard
Take-home
No

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Career path

PRO
Next roles
Principal System Software EngineerDistinguished Engineer - Platform FirmwareEngineering Manager - Embedded Systems

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About the company

NVIDIA is the world's leading designer of GPUs and AI computing platforms. Its chips power everything from gaming and data centers to autonomous vehicles and scientific research. With a market cap exceeding $2 trillion, NVIDIA's CUDA platform and AI accelerators have become the backbone of the global AI revolution.

HQSanta Clara, CA, USA
Interview difficultyvery hard
Build vs Maintainboth
Cross-functionalYes