Daniel Vargas: Engineer, Advocate and Mentor Driving the Future of Autonomous Vehicles
Daniel Vargas ‘15, a systems safety engineer at Nvidia, is at the forefront of one of the most exciting and transformative fields in technology—autonomous vehicles. With a career that began in aerospace and defense, Vargas — who graduated with a degree in electrical engineering — has now transitioned into the tech world, where he ensures that Nvidia’s cutting-edge innovations are safe, reliable and compliant.
Vargas’ path to Nvidia was a journey marked by significant changes and challenges. “In the defense world, projects move at a very methodical pace to ensure reliability and compliance versus in the tech world, rapid innovation and disruption plays a role, especially with AI now as the hottest thing in the market…” he explains, reflecting on his transition from companies like Boeing, L3Harris, and BAE Systems to Nvidia in 2022. This shift required Vargas to adapt quickly to a new, fast-paced environment where the stakes—and the potential impact—were incredibly high.
Leading Safety at Nvidia’s Autonomous Vehicle Division
At Nvidia, Vargas plays a crucial role in advancing the company’s autonomous vehicle technology. “I work with our internal teams—software, hardware and other engineering teams—to ensure that everything is compliant from a functional safety perspective,” he explains.
His focus is on making sure that the systems and components that make up Nvidia’s self-driving cars can operate without endangering passengers or others on the road.
With Nvidia’s headquarters based in Santa Clara, California, they have autonomous vehicles actively testing on public roads. Vargas emphasizes the ambitious goal of these vehicles: “You can just step in the car, say ‘Take me to New York,’ buckle up, and it just takes you without pressing a button.”
Vargas finds the pace and innovation at Nvidia exhilarating. “In tech, you can iterate quickly. You design something, test it, and if it doesn’t work, you try again. You have much more control over your work,” he says.
His work at Nvidia contrasts sharply with his time in the aerospace sector, where long approval processes and government regulations stretched project timelines. At Nvidia, he’s not only responsible for ensuring safety but also has the freedom to innovate in a field that is still very much in its early stages.
A Vision for the Future of Autonomous Vehicles
Vargas envisions a world where vehicles become extensions of our digital lives, offering seamless and interactive experiences on the road. “Our goal is for you to be able to talk to the car, have it book tickets, play your favorite music, and even buy items on the go,” he says, describing a future where driving becomes a hands-free, fully immersive experience.
He believes that within a few years, we’ll see significant advancements in autonomy, driven largely by rapid AI development. “Give it two to three years, and I think we’ll see a lot more autonomy. The growth of AI is accelerating everything.
“AI is revolutionizing vehicle autonomy by enabling real-time decision-making, optimizing navigation, and enhancing safety with advanced sensors and machine learning, driving us closer to a future where cars practically think for themselves,” he added.
Supporting Hispanic Engineers and Future Generations
As dedicated as he is to his work at Nvidia, Vargas, a first-generation college graduate born to Guatemalan parents, has also remained committed to his Hispanic heritage and dedicated to helping the next generation of engineers succeed.
He remains equally committed to supporting Hispanic representation in STEM. As the treasurer of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) NJ Professional Chapter and board member of NJIT’s Hispanic and Latinx Leadership Council (HLLC), he advocates for more inclusion within tech and engineering. “SHPE has been crucial in my life. It’s the glue that connects Hispanic professionals and provides the best networking opportunities,” he shares.
Vargas’s advocacy extends to NJIT, where he established the Vargas Family 'Highlander Promise' Scholarship. The scholarship, part of NJIT’s Highlander Promise Program, offers full rides to low-income Latino students pursuing degrees in engineering. Reflecting on his own financial struggles during college, he says, “For a lot of people, even a few thousand dollars can make the difference between staying in school or not.” Through this scholarship, he aims to remove financial barriers and empower students to pursue their passions without the burden of debt.
Building a Legacy Beyond Engineering
Vargas is a testament to the idea that success is not just about individual achievements but also about lifting others as you climb. His career at Nvidia is shaping the future of autonomous vehicle technology, but his impact goes beyond that. Through his scholarship, mentorship and active involvement in SHPE, he is paving the way for future Hispanic engineers to thrive.
Reflecting on his mother’s influence, Vargas shares, “She didn’t finish school, but she worked hard so that I could have opportunities she didn’t. It’s my way of honoring her sacrifices.”
By combining his professional skills with his commitment to his community, he’s not only pushing the boundaries of technology but also building a legacy that bridges innovation, cultural pride and a deep sense of responsibility to the next generation.
As Vargas continues to drive safety and innovation at Nvidia, he also serves as a role model for those aspiring to enter the tech industry. “If you’re Hispanic and in college, get involved with SHPE. Build your network. You never know who you’ll meet or what doors will open,” he advises. His story is a powerful reminder that success in tech can go hand-in-hand with cultural pride and a dedication to creating opportunities for others.
