AI Insights
NVIDIA

Senior Autonomous Vehicle Engineer - Image Processing

NVIDIA · Santa Clara, California, US
full-timesenior (10-20 yrs)Posted 23d ago
Software EngineeringIC4ICOn-siteVisa SponsoredRelocation
StackC++CCUDAGPGPUImage ProcessingComputer VisionSensor FusionNoise ReductionColor CorrectionHDR ProcessingWhite BalancingLow-Light ProcessingImage Quality MetricsReal-Time ProcessingEmbedded SystemsEdge ComputingLiDAR IntegrationRADAR IntegrationObject DetectionVulkan SCOpenGL SCISO 26262MISRAParallel ComputingGPU Architecture

Summary

NVIDIA is seeking a senior expert in image processing and image quality tuning for Autonomous Vehicle perception systems, requiring 10+ years of experience in computer vision, real-time processing, and embedded/edge GPU computing using C++/CUDA.

About the role

We are seeking an expert in image processing and image quality tuning for Autonomous Vehicle perception. The candidate needs to have experience in computer vision, real-time image processing, and sensor integration in the context of automotive or robotics applications.

What you will be doing:

  • Develop image processing algorithms and Optimize pipelines for real-time processing within hardware constraints and power budgets.

  • Solve challenges related to noise reduction, color correction, sharpening, white-balancing, HDR, and low-light performance.

  • Develop and apply methods for measuring and benchmarking image quality metrics.

  • Troubleshoot and resolve image quality issues in complex driving and lighting scenarios.

  • Ensure real-time processing and efficient execution(Perf tunning) for high-throughput camera data streams on embedded or edge computing platforms.

  • Developing unit tests, documentation for features, evaluating quality and proposing corrective actions.

  • Deliver efficient product code in C++, making use of high algorithmic parallelism offered by GPGPU programming (CUDA). Follow quality and safety standards such as defined by MISRA

What we need to see:

  • BS/MS or higher in computer engineering, computer science or related fields (or equivalent experience)

  • 10+ years of experience

  • Excellent C and C++ programming skills

  • With Excellent Image processing techniques(e.g noise reduction, color correction, features extraction, image quality enhancement, etc.)

  • Familiarity with multi-sensor data integration and sensor fusion techniques

  • With good Understanding the end to end image processing chain

  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; able to debug complex systems and work in a dynamic environment

  • Deep understanding of automotive image quality standards and hands-on experience with relevant testing tools.

  • Advanced knowledge of image quality metrics, measurement, and enhancement for both visible and challenging conditions (low-light, adverse weather).

  • Proven understanding of programming and debugging techniques, especially for parallel and distributed architectures.

  • Great communication and analytical skills.

Ways to stand out from the crowd:

  • Background with sensor fusion (integrating data from LiDAR, RADAR with cameras).

  • Familiarity with Object detection Alogrithms

  • Familiarity with open standard graphics and compute Khronos Interfaces (Vulkan SC, OpenGL SC, ect.)

  • Understanding of GPU architectures (CUDA cores, Tensor Cores, memory hierarchies)

  • Understanding of functional safety (ISO26262) in automotive contexts.

What you'll do

1Develop and optimize image processing algorithm pipelines for real-time execution within hardware and power constraints
2Solve challenges in noise reduction, color correction, sharpening, white-balancing, HDR, and low-light performance
3Develop and apply methods for measuring and benchmarking image quality metrics
4Troubleshoot and resolve image quality issues across complex driving and lighting scenarios
5Ensure real-time, high-throughput processing of camera data streams on embedded/edge computing platforms
6Develop unit tests and documentation; evaluate quality and propose corrective actions
7Deliver efficient C++ product code leveraging CUDA for high algorithmic parallelism
8Adhere to quality and safety standards including MISRA

Requirements

10+ years of hands-on C/C++ development for real-time image processing pipelines on embedded or edge platforms
Deep expertise in image quality techniques including noise reduction, color correction, HDR, white balancing, and low-light enhancement
Strong proficiency in GPGPU programming with CUDA for high-throughput, parallelized camera data processing
Experience with multi-sensor data integration and end-to-end image processing chains in automotive or robotics contexts
Proven ability to define and apply image quality metrics, benchmarks, and corrective actions under automotive safety standards (MISRA, ISO 26262)

Nice to have

LiDAR and RADAR sensor fusion
Object Detection Algorithms
Vulkan SC
OpenGL SC
GPU architecture internals (CUDA cores, Tensor Cores, memory hierarchy)
ISO 26262 functional safety

Role overview

Role family
Software Engineering
Level
IC4 — embedded
Experience
10–20 years
Type
Individual Contributor
Remote policy
On-site
Visa sponsorship
Available

Tech stack analysis

LANGUAGES
CC++CUDA
FRAMEWORKS
CUDA Runtime APICUDA Driver API
INFRASTRUCTURE
Embedded GPU platformsEdge computing hardwareNVIDIA DRIVE Orin (implied)
TOOLS
NVIDIA NsightCUDA profilerImage quality testing toolsUnit testing frameworks

Salary estimate

$180K – $280K
AI-estimated salary range
Confidence82%
Reasoning

NVIDIA is consistently ranked among the highest-paying employers in Silicon Valley. For a Senior IC engineer with 10+ years in a specialized AV/embedded domain in Santa Clara, CA, total comp typically ranges $180K–$280K+ base salary. Including RSUs (often substantial at NVIDIA), total compensation could exceed $400K–$600K. This estimate aligns with publicly available NVIDIA SWE/hardware engineer compensation data on Levels.fyi and LinkedIn Salary for Santa Clara-based senior roles as of early 2026.

See the AI-estimated salary range for this role

Sign up free →

Green flags

5 items
NVIDIA is a global leader in GPU/AI hardware — working on AV perception here offers unmatched access to cutting-edge silicon, CUDA tooling, and industry influence.growth

Discover all 5 green flags for this role

Sign up free →

Benefits breakdown

HEALTH & WELLNESS
Medical insurance
Dental insurance
Vision insurance

See all benefits organized by category — health, financial, time off & more

Sign up free →

Hiring insights

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

See JD quality score, hiring urgency & team details

Sign up free →

Red flags

PRO4 items
10+ years of experience required — this is a very high bar that may exclude highly capable engineers with 7–9 years of equivalent hands-on expertise.requirements

See all 4 red flags — what the JD isn't telling you

Sign up free →

Interview insights

PRO
Rounds
5
Duration
4 wks
Difficulty
very hard
Take-home
Yes

Get full interview breakdown — rounds, likely topics & prep tips

Sign up free →

Career path

PRO
Next roles
Staff AV Systems EngineerPrincipal Computer Vision EngineerEngineering Manager – AV Perception

See where this role leads — full career progression

Sign up free →
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