AI Compiler and Kernel Intern – Summer 2027

Location: US, TX, Austin

NVIDIA is looking for an AI Compiler & Kernel Intern to apply AI agents, machine learning, and performance engineering to compilers, GPU kernels, and developer tools. You will work with compiler, kernel, and AI engineers on a scoped project involving code, compiler and kernel feedback, performance experiments, and optimization. Depending on your background and interests, the work may focus on agentic workflows, learned models, compiler optimization, GPU kernel development, performance analysis, or AI-enabled developer tools. Candidates may enter from either a compiler or kernel background; experience in every area is not expected.

What You’ll Be Doing

Build AI-agent workflows that interact with code, compilers, GPU kernels, benchmarks, performance tools, and engineering systems.

Develop tools that help agents collect data, run experiments, analyze compiler, kernel, and performance feedback, identify optimization opportunities, and recommend next steps.

Explore data-driven approaches for compiler optimization, GPU kernel generation and tuning, performance prediction, decision support, and workflow automation.

Build reliable interfaces between AI agents and compiler, kernel, or developer-tool infrastructure.

Prototype improvements to compiler flows, code generation, GPU kernels, optimization tools, experimentation systems, or developer workflows.

Work with compiler, kernel, architecture, AI, and performance engineers to evaluate ideas on representative workloads.

Measure correctness, runtime performance, compile time, resource utilization, reliability, and other relevant outcomes.

Document the design, experiments, results, limitations, and next steps.

What We Need to See

Pursuing a BS, MS, or PhD in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a similar field.

Strong programming skills in Python, C, C++, or a similar language.

Solid foundations in data structures, algorithms, software engineering, and quantitative problem solving.

Coursework, research, or project experience in one or more of these areas: AI, machine learning, AI agents, compilers, programming languages, GPU kernels, CUDA or accelerator programming, systems, performance engineering, optimization, or developer tools.

Ability to design experiments, analyze results, investigate technical problems, and communicate findings clearly.

Experience working in one or more of AI, compiler, kernel, performance, or systems areas, with the ability to learn across technical boundaries.

Ways to Stand Out from the Crowd

Experience building AI agents, LLM applications, evaluation systems, coding workflows, or developer tools.

Experience with LLVM, MLIR, compiler optimization passes, code generation, domain-specific languages, or compiler infrastructure.

Experience writing, analyzing, or optimizing GPU kernels using CUDA, Triton, or a similar accelerator programming model.

Hands-on experience with reinforcement learning, evolutionary algorithms, predictive modeling, ranking, search, or high-dimensional data analysis.

Research, internships, open-source contributions, or personal projects that measure runtime, compile time, resource use, code quality, or developer productivity

Our internship hourly rates are a standard pay based on the position, your location, year in school, degree, and experience. The expected hourly rate for this position is 20 USD – 94 USD.

You will also be eligible for Intern benefits. ​

Applications for this job will be accepted at least until November 6, 2026.

This posting is for an existing vacancy.

NVIDIA uses AI tools in its recruiting processes.

NVIDIA is committed to fostering an inclusive 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.