Humanoid robots are becoming real — and at NVIDIA, we're building the Physical AI systems that will power them. We're looking for a Senior Software Engineer who brings deep technical depth and the drive to lead: someone who can define technical direction for a team, ship production-grade robotics software, and help the whole team move faster and smarter.
This role sits at the intersection of hands-on engineering and technical leadership. Our team is building generative AI workflows for Physical AI robotics — spanning simulation, real-world deployment, and continuous learning — and you'll help set the technical approach and own it end-to-end. It's not done until it works on the robot!
What you will be doing:
- Set the technical approach for building generative AI workflows for Physical AI robotics, spanning simulation, real-world deployment, and continuous learning.
- Define priorities and resolve architectural trade-offs for a small team.
- Build our humanoid reference platform from architecture through deployment.
- Integrate NVIDIA products like Jetson Thor, Isaac GR00T, and Isaac Lab into cohesive solutions.
- Engage with select external partners on technical collaboration.
- Provide technical mentorship to junior engineers — without any formal management responsibility.
What we need to see:
- MS or PhD in Robotics, Computer Science, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
- 12+ years of robotics software engineering experience, with a track record of shipping production-quality systems.
- Proven ability to own technical direction: setting strategy, building consensus, and driving momentum across competing priorities.
- Deep experience building and deploying full-stack robotics software for AI-powered robots, from architecture through implementation.
- Hands-on experience with generative AI workflows in robotics or Physical AI contexts.
- Strong Python and C++ skills; familiarity with CUDA and robotics middleware.
- Experience in robot learning: reinforcement learning, imitation learning, and sim-to-real transfer.
- Ability to influence teams across multiple functions without formal authority, and communicate effectively with engineers, leadership, and partners.
Ways to stand out from the crowd:
- Familiarity with NVIDIA robotics tools (Isaac Lab, Isaac Gym, Isaac ROS) and hardware (Jetson platform).
- Experience with deep learning frameworks and physics simulators (Isaac Sim/Lab, MuJoCo).
- Background in humanoid whole-body control, manipulation, or locomotion.
- Prior experience with robotics OEMs or humanoid robot companies.
- Proven history of defining technical strategy at team or org-wide scale.
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 26, 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.