Senior Safety Architect, Drive OS

Today, NVIDIA is tapping into AI’s unlimited potential to build a new chapter in computing. The GPU functions as the brain for computers, robots, and self-driving cars. Doing what’s never been done before takes vision, innovation, and the world’s best talent. As an NVIDIAN, you’ll be immersed in a diverse, encouraging environment where everyone is inspired to do their best work. Join us and discover how we can make a lasting impact on the world!

DriveOS is the software platform that powers millions of autonomous vehicles and other intelligent machines around the world! It combines a virtualization platform, system software, and acceleration libraries for AI, computer vision pipelines, graphics, and multimedia processing. The system is certified for both automotive safety (ISO 26262 ASIL-D) and cybersecurity (ISO 21434, UN Reg 155), and is being adapted to other regulated markets including robotics, avionics, and medical devices. The DriveOS Software team is seeking a visionary Functional Safety Architect to build and productize the NVIDIA's autonomous vehicle platform. You will work with many engineering groups and domain experts across the entire company to integrate complex vehicle subsystems into the DRIVE OS platform, ensuring all solutions meet or exceed NVIDIA’s stringent safety standards.

What you’ll be doing:

• Partner with multidisciplinary teams-including Systems Architecture, Cybersecurity, and Perception-to build and implement safety-critical Drive OS software solutions for autonomous vehicles and high-integrity robotics applications.

• Collaborate with NVIDIA hardware safety architects and third-party silicon vendors. Decompose hardware safety concepts to ensure DriveOS software stacks meet NVIDIA SoCs and hardware platforms' stringent safety requirements.

• Lead and implement deep-dive software safety analyses, including software FMEA, DFA, CPA or equivalent to identify safety mechanisms and drive architectural improvements.

• Support and influence the broader NVIDIA organization during internal and external safety assessments. You will ensure that development processes align with ISO 26262 and that the safety case for our software stack is robust and defensible.

• Author high-quality safety design specifications, safety requirements, safety analysis reports, and safety user guides to help customers safely integrate NVIDIA products.

• Act as a domain expert and mentor to engineering teams, promoting safety-first development practices and defensive programming.

What we need to see:

• Master’s degree or equivalent experience.

• Deep understanding of computer architectures, Arm SoC design, Operating Systems (RTOS/Linux/QNX), and Hypervisors.

• 8+ years of professional experience, with at least 5 years in safety-critical embedded systems developed under standards like ISO 26262, IEC 61508, DO-178C, ISO 21434 or ASPICE.

• Excellent safe and secure coding programming skills in C/C++, with a firm grasp of MISRA/AUTOSAR guidelines.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, ability to work independently, and collaboratively in a multi-functional environment.

• Highly organized and adaptable, able to thrive in a dynamic environment across different geographies

Ways to stand out from the crowd:

• Proven experience delivering software certified to ASIL D, including ASIL decomposition and safety manual creation.

• Experience in Automotive AI or Autonomous Systems software

• Cross-discipline design skills across safety, security and real-time computing

• Practical knowledge in formal verification of software programs

• Experience leveraging AI tools (Cursor, Claude Code, or GitHub Copilot).

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 February 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.