Software Engineer, AI Systems and GPU Workloads - Information Technology Services

Job Summary

Working independently under the Director of Enterprise IT Operations, this position supports Cal Poly’s AI Factory and Center of Excellence by enabling faculty, researchers, and students to leverage high-performance computing (HPC) and AI infrastructure anchored by the NVIDIA DGX-B200 system. The role develops and scales software solutions, tools, and workflows for large-scale machine learning and deep learning training, fine-tuning, and deployment, bridging advanced GPU-oriented engineering with research-focused software support and consulting. The position exercises independent judgment in architecting software pipelines and optimizing workload performance across multi-GPU environments. #CalPolyITS

Department Summary

Information Technology Services (ITS) is a fast-moving team responsible for helping Cal Poly achieve academic excellence by developing and implementing learning, teaching, research, and administrative solutions that use technology to advance university goals. With a focus on continuous improvement, ITS fosters innovation, supports continuous learning, and develops people to their full potential. ITS professionals work in a collaborative DevOps environment to shape the technology landscape at Cal Poly.

The Noyce School of Applied Computing is an interdisciplinary school that brings together Electrical Engineering, Computer Science and Software Engineering, and Computer Engineering, with Statistics as an affiliate department. The school expands Learn by Doing opportunities and interdisciplinary collaboration in applied computing, including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data science, advanced wireless networks, robotics and automation, semiconductors, embedded systems, and other emerging technologies.

Key Qualifications

• Thorough and advanced knowledge of Python with experience in performance-oriented languages (e.g., C++ or CUDA), applied to AI/ML software engineering.
• Advanced skills in distributed computing, multi-GPU parallel processing, and performance optimization, including GPU system software such as drivers, CUDA toolkits, and container runtimes.
• Demonstrated experience with AI/ML frameworks such as PyTorch, TensorFlow, or JAX, and the ability to develop reproducible research workflows.
• Advanced knowledge of containerization (Docker) and orchestration (Kubernetes, Slurm, Ray) to improve research productivity and reproducibility.
• Thorough and advanced knowledge of Linux-based systems, with the ability to work with technical and non-technical staff to translate user requirements into technology-based solutions.

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Education and Experience

• Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in a related field and four years of relevant experience. Additional experience which demonstrates acquired and successfully applied knowledge and abilities shown above may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis. An advanced degree in a related field may be substituted for the required experience on a year-for-year basis.

Salary and Benefits

Anticipated Hiring Range: $110,844-$127,332 Per Year

Classification Range: $87,408-$127,332 Per Year

Factors in determining the appropriate compensation for a role include experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. The Anticipated Hiring Range referenced in the job posting is the budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position. The Classification Range may be broader than what the University anticipates paying for this position, based on internal equity, budget, and collective bargaining agreements (when applicable).

Cal Poly offers a best-in-class benefits program, including health, dental and vision insurance, retirement participation in the Public Employees' Retirement System, and educational benefits for eligible employees. See our benefits website for additional information.

Cal Poly

Known for its Learn by Doing philosophy, Cal Poly is ranked among the top 10 public universities in the nation. Each year, more than 23,000 top-tier students come to Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo and Cal Poly Maritime Academy in Solano County to put knowledge into action, taking their learning outside the classroom as they prepare for careers in engineering, agriculture, science, business, humanities, maritime and the built environment. Cal Poly’s hands-on philosophy, small class sizes and close student-faculty mentorships result in graduates ready from day one to impact their communities, California and the world. For more information, visit www.calpoly.edu.

Working Within the California State University System

As part of the California State University, the nation's largest public four-year university system, Cal Poly employees contribute to a broader mission of advancing knowledge, creating opportunity and serving the people of California.

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Equal Opportunity and Excellence in Education and Employment

This position is open and available to all regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, Cal Poly provides equal opportunity in education and employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every student and employee has access to the resources and support they need to thrive and succeed in a university environment and in their communities. Cal Poly complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws, and CSU’s Nondiscrimination Policy. We prohibit discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all university programs, policies, and practices.

Cal Poly is a diverse community of individuals who represent many perspectives, beliefs and identities, committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and intellectually vibrant environment. We cultivate a culture of open dialogue, mutual respect, and belonging to support educational excellence and student success. Through academic programs, student organizations and activities, faculty initiatives, and community partnerships, we encourage meaningful engagement with diverse perspectives. As a higher education institution, we are dedicated to advancing knowledge and empowering individuals to reach their full potential by prioritizing inclusive curriculum development, faculty and staff training, student mentorship, and comprehensive support programs. At Cal Poly, excellence is built on merit, talent, diversity, accessibility, and equal opportunity for all.

Supplemental Information

Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check) is required for employment. Cal Poly will make a conditional offer of employment, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Current employees who are offered positions on campus will be required to undergo a background check for any position where a background check is required by law or that Cal Poly has designated as sensitive. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was conditionally offered the position.

The person holding this position is considered a 'mandated reporter' under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.

Cal Poly is not a sponsoring agency for staff or management positions. Applicants for staff and management positions must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

Education Code 89521 Requirements: Applicants will be required to disclose whether they have received a final administrative decision or final judicial decision determining that they have committed sexual harassment within the last 7 years only after a determination is made that they meet the minimum qualifications for the position, and before an offer of employment is extended. Applicants who reach the final stages of the application process must also sign a release form that authorizes the release of information by the applicant’s current and/or former employers to the CSU concerning any substantiated allegations of misconduct.

Positions are posted for a minimum of 14 calendar days.