Ignite Your Career: The NVIDIA Internship Program

NVIDIA is widely considered to be one of the technology world’s most desirable employers, attracting some of the most dedicated and passionate people on the planet. As an NVIDIAN, you're closest to the latest advancements in technology. NVIDIA empowers everyone to contribute as you get your hands on the latest computing technology. NVIDIA is committed to fostering a diverse work environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. NVIDIA accepts applications on an ongoing basis. Being an intern is the best way to kick-start your journey at NVIDIA, as it’s our primary pipeline for new college grad and early-in-career hiring.

Overview of NVIDIA Internships

NVIDIA's internship programs are designed to provide students with real-world experiences and exposure to cutting-edge technologies. Interns are employees who do real work, on real projects, side by side with some of the industry's brightest minds. You’ll take part in meaningful work making an impact on the next generation of innovation. You will make a difference on real projects, connect with the greatest minds in our industry, and build lifelong connections.

The Ignite Program: A Launchpad for Undergraduates

The NVIDIA Ignite program gives you everything you need to start building your career-a whole lot earlier than you might expect. This inclusive, 12-week summer pre-internship program was created to give current first and second year undergrad students, from a variety of backgrounds, a chance to work hands-on with real technical experts on real projects. It’s a fully immersive experience covering the products, culture, and ecosystem that makes NVIDIA a truly unique place to ignite your career. NVIDIA Ignite takes this dedication to the next level by immersing students of historically underrepresented communities in an on-site (Santa Clara, CA) headquarters based 12-week internship through NVIDIA’s products, culture, and ecosystem. If you’ve just started your 1st or 2nd year as an undergraduate and love software, this pre-internship program is the perfect way to kickstart your career.

Internship Opportunities

NVIDIA offers a variety of internship opportunities across different fields. Potential Internships in this field include:

AI Machine Learning
Automotive
Offensive Security
Embedded Software
GPU SW Engineer
Linux/Android/Jetson Embedded Systems Software
Software AI Applications
Systems Software
AV Platform Software
Project Manager Intern
System Software
Robotics
Tegra System Software
Vulkan Driver Performance

What NVIDIA Looks For

NVIDIA seeks students who are passionate, creative, and eager to learn.

Essential Qualifications

You are currently a first year (class of 2029) or second year (class of 2028) undergrad pursuing your bachelor’s degree at a four-year university in the United States in either of the following: CS, CE, EE, Mathematics, or related fields. You are currently a first-year (class of 2028) or second year (class of 2027) undergrad pursuing your bachelor’s degree at a four-year university in the United States in either of the following: CS, CE, EE, Mathematics, or related fields
Demonstrate passion through involvement in relevant clubs, leadership roles, extracurricular projects, and more.
Creativity and problem-solving mentality; willingness to develop new skills; ability to adapt to new experiences.
The desire to learn new concepts and tools in a growing and evolving workspace.
Passion for diverse work assignments and enjoy the opportunity to try innovative approaches to overcome challenges.
Ability to develop relationships across a wide array of partners and build support for our core mission.
Extra-curricular interest in technical fields is a plus!

Software Specific Skills

Enrolled in courses in computing and engineering, specifically geared towards SW basics.
Basic knowledge of one or more of the following programming languages C, C++, Python, Perl, MATLAB.
Demonstrated initiative to learn about technology, computers, artificial intelligence, machine learning, computer vision, robotics, parallel computing, etc.
General understanding of data structures and algorithm time/space complexity.
Understanding of mathematical fundamentals, including linear algebra and numerical methods.
Foundations of the computer memory model (disk, memory, caches), CPU and GPU architectures, networking, numeric libraries, and modular software design.
Knowledge of high-performance computing.
Familiarity with operating system concepts (threads, process control, memory/resource management, virtual memory, etc.).

Tips for Standing Out

To increase your chances of landing an NVIDIA internship, consider the following:

Students seeking their first relevant industry or corporate internship experience.
Do the work you want to do, before you apply. Almost every NVIDIA intern I've known has had some level of hands on experience in the technologies and techniques associated with their role, before they started their role (including myself). Personal projects are the easiest way to accomplish this.
Have your resume in order. From the format of the entire document to how you describe your experience. Don't let a bad resume cloud your skills and accomplishments.
Know your resume like the back of your hand. Ignite interviews can have a large range of styles from Leetcode to project deep dives (or a combination of both). In every one of my 4 interviews I was asked something about the projects, technologies, and/or tools I listed on my resume. The last thing you want is to get rejected for not being intimately familiar with something you say you are (fairly confident this was the reason for my initial rejection!).
Basic knowledge of Linux, PyTorch, or other frameworks
Demonstrated initiative to learn about technology, computers, artificial intelligence, machine learning, computer vision, robotics, parallel computing, etc.
Understanding of VLSI design, computer architecture

Benefits and Compensation

NVIDIA offers competitive compensation and benefits to its interns. The hourly rate for our interns is 18 USD - 54 USD. Our internship hourly rates are a standard pay determined based on the position and your location, year in school, degree, and experience. You will also be eligible for Intern benefits.

Our 12-week internship is located on-site in Santa Clara, CA. NVIDIA will cover one-time round trip for students traveling over 50 miles to Santa Clara and provide a supplemental housing stipend to assist with living expenses over the summer.

NVIDIA provides great benefits that include ESPP, tuition reimbursement, continuous learning and development programs, paid time off, and more.

How to Apply

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis. By submitting your resume, you’re expressing interest in one of our 2026 Ignite Software Engineering Internships. We’ll review resumes on an ongoing basis, and a recruiter may reach out if your experience fits one of our many internship opportunities. We will accept submissions from October 6, 2025 to October 19, 2025. By submitting your resume, you’re expressing interest in one of our 2026 Ignite Business Operations Internships.

Read also: AI Skills with NVIDIA DLI

NVIDIA's Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

NVIDIA is committed to fostering a diverse work environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. NVIDIA is committed to offering reasonable accommodations, upon request, to job applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact Human Resources at 408-486-1405 or provide your contact information and we will contact you.

Why Choose NVIDIA?

NVIDIA is all about redefining the future. You can see it in our AI and visual computing technologies, from the data center and self-driving cars to gaming and robots. And you can see it in our employees-driven, curious, inquisitive people with a passion for creating what comes next.

As an NVIDIAN, you’re helping to drive the latest advancements in technology while pursuing your life’s work.

Read also: Land Your NVIDIA Internship

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