---
title: 'LLM Algorithmic Optimization Engineer at NIO USA, INC'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/llm-algorithmic-optimization-engineer-nio-usa-inc-san-jose-xnfh9acvmdra'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-13'
---

# LLM Algorithmic Optimization Engineer at NIO USA, INC

- **Company:** NIO USA, INC
- **Location:** San Jose, CA
- **Compensation:** $143k–$186k
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Work type:** onsite
- **Posted:** 2026-06-19
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-13
- **Apply:** https://jobs.lever.co/nio-usa/0fad1bad-c971-45a3-a1bc-13700ba511d6

## Job description

## About NIO

NIO Inc. is a pioneer and a leading company in the global smart electric vehicle market. Founded in November 2014, NIO aspires to shape a sustainable and brighter future with the mission of “Blue Sky Coming”. NIO envisions itself as a user enterprise where innovative technology meets experience excellence. NIO designs, develops, manufactures and sells smart electric vehicles, driving innovations in next-generation core technologies. NIO distinguishes itself through continuous technological breakthroughs and innovations, exceptional products and services, and a community for shared growth. NIO provides premium smart electric vehicles under the NIO brand, premium smart electric vehicles for families through the ONVO brand, and small smart high-end electric cars with the FIREFLY brand.

Roles and Responsibilities

- Conduct research and apply cutting-edge technologies to optimize Large Language Models (LLMs) and multimodal models, exploration and implementation of the core algorithmic optimization on heterogeneous architectures, for highly efficient LLM inference as well as deployment across distributed and heterogeneous hardware environments.
- Focus on model optimization from a systems perspective, ensuring efficient deployment in the vehicle’s digital cockpit and advanced driving (AD) domain.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure the integration of optimized models into real-world automotive applications.
- Contribute to the entire pipeline from research, development, and testing, through to deployment on hardware, including GPUs and other distributed systems.

## Qualifications

- Currently pursuing or completed a PhD or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Communications, Electronics, or a related field with relevant research projects and publications.
- Strong understanding of GPU/NPU architecture and optimization techniques to identify and address bottlenecks.
- Proficient in LLM and VLM architectures and algorithms, familiar with transformer based NLP / Audio / CV algorithms and technologies.
- Proficiency in Python and experience with AI-related training and inference tools such as PyTorch.
- Proficiency in C/C++ programming, familiar with at least one commonly used LLM inference engines.
- Hands-on experience with model-serving frameworks such as Open Neural Network Exchange (ONNX).
- Familiarity with debugging code in distributed computing environments.Experience in LLM inference optimization on resource constrained edge devices is a plus.

## Preferred Qualification

- Ph.D. in computer science, artificial intelligence, or related fields; or Masters degree + 3 years of relevant industry experience

- Experience in inference optimization techniques of deep learning models or libraries on hardware architectures;

- Familiar with microkernel architecture, Linux kernel, hypervisor, middleware, and application framework

- Those who have good publication records and have published high impact, innovative papers are preferred

## Compensation

- Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.
- Please note that the compensation details listed in US role postings reflect the base salary only. It does not include discretionary bonus, equity, or benefits.

Benefits:

Along with competitive pay, as a full-time NIO employee, you are eligible for the following benefits on the first day you join NIO:

- Anthem Blue Cross, HSA, and Kaiser HMO medical plans with $0 for Employee Only Coverage.
- Dental (including orthodontic coverage) and vision plan.  Both provide options with a $0 paycheck contribution covering you and your eligible dependents.
- Company Paid HSA (Health Savings Account) Contribution when enrolled in the High Deductible Anthem Blue Cross medical plan
- Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
- 401(k) with Brokerage Link option
- Company paid Basic Life, AD&D, short-term and long-term disability insurance
- Employee Assistance Program
- Sick and Vacation time
- 13 Paid Holidays a year
- Paid Parental Leave for first 8 weeks at full pay (eligible after 90 days of employment with NIO)
- Paid Disability Leave for first 6 weeks at full pay (eligible after 90 days of employment with NIO)
- Voluntary benefits including: Voluntary Life and AD&D options for you, your spouse/domestic partner and dependent child(ren), pet insurance
- Commuter benefits
- Mobile Cell Phone Credit
- Free lunch and snacks
- Onsite gym
- Employee discounts and perks program

## About NIO USA, INC

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: NIO USA, INC is the American subsidiary of NIO Inc., a Chinese pioneer in premium smart electric vehicles, focused on R&D, digital systems, and expanding the NIO ecosystem in the US.
- **Entity Type**: Public (NYSE: NIO; also listed on HKEX and SGX)
- **Headquarters**: San Jose, California, USA (primary US office)
- **Founded**: 2014 (parent company NIO Inc.)
- **Founders**: William Li (Chairman & CEO)

## Core Business
- **Primary industry**: Automotive (premium smart electric vehicles)
- **Target customers**: B2C consumers seeking premium EVs; also B2B through Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) and NIO Power infrastructure
- **Mission**: “Blue Sky Coming” – Shaping a sustainable and brighter future together; to build a user enterprise where innovative technology meets experience excellence

## Products & Services
- **NIO Vehicles**: Premium smart electric SUVs, sedans, and crossovers (e.g., ET7, ES6, EC6) with advanced assisted driving and digital cockpit features.
- **Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS)**: Vehicle-battery separation model allowing battery subscription, swapping, and upgrades – recognized as a 2021 Fast Company World Changing Ideas award winner.
- **NIO Power**: Network of battery swap stations, charging stations, Power Mobile (mobile charging), and a cloud-based power service system for holistic energy management.
- **NIO Service**: One-stop service system including Service Guardian and nationwide service network for maintenance and roadside assistance.
- **NIO Community**: User-driven ecosystem with over 600,000 users across 2,400+ communities, organizing activities and fostering shared growth.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not publicly available in provided data (public company; market cap fluctuates; refer to NYSE: NIO)
- **Key Metric**: Over 9,600 patents filed/obtained as of December 2025; R&D and production centers across 14 countries; sales/service in 24 countries and regions.
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Not detailed in search results; NIO is publicly traded with institutional investors; strategic partners include battery supply chain and technology firms.
- **Growth Signals**: Expansion into Middle East, Central Asia, Southeast Asia, and Central America; launch of sub-brands ONVO and firefly; continuous hiring in US R&D (San Jose) and Europe (Munich, Oslo, Budapest, Oxford, etc.).

## Competitive Advantages
- **Battery swapping technology**: 3-minute swap without leaving the car, with battery health checks – a unique differentiator vs. traditional charging.
- **User community and NIO House**: Physical and digital community spaces that build brand loyalty and retention.
- **Vertical integration**: In-house R&D across 12 technology domains (Full Stack) including autonomous driving, digital systems, and powertrain.
- **First automotive company listed on NYSE, HKEX, SGX** – strong capital market credibility.

## Strategic Focus
- **Global expansion**: Increasing presence in Europe, Middle East, and Americas; building sales and service networks.
- **Autonomous driving & AI**: Continued investment in assisted/intelligent driving, AI robotics, and LLM optimization (evident from US job openings).
- **Battery technology**: Advancing BaaS, solid-state batteries, and swapping infrastructure to reduce range anxiety.
- **Brand diversification**: Sub-brands ONVO and firefly to target different price segments.

## Why Work Here
- **Innovative environment**: Work on cutting-edge EV, autonomous driving, AI, and battery technology at a company that challenges traditional automotive.
- **Benefits**: Health/dental/vision insurance, FSA/HSA, 401K with RSUs and annual bonus, paid vacation, sick leave, maternity/paternity leave, flexible hours, remote work options, free lunch/snacks, gym discount, commuter program, and mobile phone allowance.
- **Global presence**: Opportunity to work in San Jose (US), Munich, Oslo, Budapest, Oxford, Netherlands, and other locations.
- **Engineering culture**: Emphasis on R&D – roles include Hypervisor/Linux Kernel Developer, Simulation Software Engineer, AI Infrastructure Engineer, LLM Algorithmic Optimization Engineer, and AI Robotics Researcher.
- **Award-winning**: BaaS recognized by Fast Company; NOMI AI won 2021 Artificial Intelligence award; Firmware-Over-The-Air won 2021 DEVIES Award.

## Sources
1. [nio.com/careers](https://www.nio.com/careers)
2. [nio.com/careers/jobs](https://www.nio.com/careers/jobs)
3. [us.nio.com/careers](http://us.nio.com/careers)
4. [nio.com/about](https://www.nio.com/about?noredirect=)

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