Performance engineers help software, applications, and digital systems run quickly, reliably, and efficiently. They identify bottlenecks, test performance under real-world conditions, and work with engineering teams to improve speed, scalability, and resilience. Explore vetted Performance Engineer opportunities paying $100,000 or more on Ladders.
Performance engineers plan and execute load, stress, and scalability tests; analyze system behavior; and turn findings into practical improvements. Depending on the role, they may focus on application response times, infrastructure capacity, database performance, or end-to-end user experience. They often partner with software developers, site reliability engineers, architects, and product teams.
Employers commonly seek experience with performance testing tools, scripting or programming, distributed systems, and cloud platforms. Knowledge of observability, profiling, networking, databases, and CI/CD can also be valuable. Strong analytical skills and the ability to communicate technical findings help engineers prioritize and deliver measurable improvements. Requirements vary by employer and seniority.
Performance engineering roles are found across technology, financial services, healthcare, e-commerce, and other industries that depend on reliable digital products. Professionals may advance into senior or lead engineering positions, performance architecture, site reliability engineering, or engineering management. Career paths depend on experience, technical specialization, and organizational needs.
Search Ladders for vetted Performance Engineer openings with salaries of $100,000 or more. Review each listing for responsibilities, required qualifications, compensation details, and work arrangements, then find opportunities that align with your skills and career goals.
$80K - $95K *
Optimize energy solutions by leading technical projects, conducting site surveys, and collaborating with teams to deliver innovative, cost-effective strategies that enhance facility performance and su...
2 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Empower healthcare innovation by designing scalable backend systems and data pipelines. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance workflows, ensuring seamless interactions for patients and pr...
3 days ago
$130K - $160K *
Create impactful solutions as a Senior Product Engineer, owning projects from concept to delivery. Collaborate with a dynamic team, leveraging AI tools to enhance development while mentoring peers and...
1 week ago
$130K - $160K *
Transform business challenges into innovative solutions by leveraging AI and engineering expertise. Collaborate with stakeholders to identify opportunities, develop full-stack applications, and drive...
1 week ago
Software Engineer - GTM Engineering
$106K - $125K *
Drive the development of AI-powered tools that enhance go-to-market efficiency. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to streamline workflows, automate tasks, and improve customer engagement, while...
2 days ago
Principal Software Development Engineer in Test (Performance & Bare-Metal)
$140K - $252K *
Unlock potential by leading test strategies for hypervisor performance and VM quality. Collaborate with teams to design automated benchmarks and validate deployment safety, ensuring high standards acr...
3 weeks ago
Staff Software Engineer, Platform
$135K - $160K *
Transform the core platform of a 1-1 coaching marketplace by co-owning its architecture, enhancing scalability, and driving technical direction. Collaborate with teams to ensure reliability and effici...
1 week ago
$130K - $200K *
Drive impactful design and development of front-end features, owning the code from concept to production. Collaborate with teams to establish design systems and set direction for user-centric products...
1 week ago
$120K - $145K *
Optimize your career by leading the design and implementation of secure cloud infrastructure for federal spectrum management systems, ensuring reliability and compliance while mentoring junior enginee...
6 days ago
Senior Manager, Software Engineering
$225K - $265K *
Partner with us to lead a high-performing engineering team, driving innovation and efficiency in our travel marketplace. You'll manage project lifecycles, enhance collaboration, and champion a custome...
3 weeks ago
Senior Software Engineer, Backend
$135K - $187K *
Grow your career with a dynamic team focused on crafting scalable software solutions. Collaborate cross-functionally to design impactful APIs and lead innovations that drive efficiency and elevate cus...
Reposted 1 week ago
Engineering Manager II, Runtime Services
$208K - $429K *
Inspire innovation as you lead a high-performing team to enhance large-scale platforms, driving automation and operational excellence while fostering collaboration and continuous improvement across th...
1 week ago
$110K - $130K *
Transform the future of marketing by designing and deploying AI-driven growth systems. This hands-on role merges engineering and marketing to enhance customer engagement and streamline operations thro...
1 week ago
$80K - $155K *
Join a team that's redefining energy solutions by designing innovative fluid and power systems. As a Process Engineer, you'll drive the development and optimization of cutting-edge technologies in a f...
3 weeks ago
Senior Infrastructure & Platform Engineer
$130K - $175K *
Engineer and optimize enterprise platforms for diverse environments, ensuring seamless deployment and support. Collaborate with clients to enhance cybersecurity, compliance, and observability solution...
Reposted 1 week ago
$90K - $130K *
The Test Engineer will implement automation for increased efficiency and provide hands-on testing and QA expertise in mission-critical work across our client base. This role involves delivering qualit...
Reposted 1 week ago
$95K - $115K *
Accelerate progress at the forefront of federal spectrum management by implementing and maintaining secure Azure cloud infrastructure and CI/CD pipelines, collaborating with cross-functional teams to...
Reposted yesterday
$160K - $230K *
Join a team that's redefining product engineering by owning high-impact areas from concept to launch. Collaborate closely with leadership to enhance user experiences and drive innovation in a fast-pac...
5 days ago
Principal Software Engineer, E2E Performance and Goodput - CSP Engagements
$272K - $431K *
Join a team that's integral to optimizing GPU performance for CSPs, collaborating with engineering teams to drive performance improvements, gather insights, and validate configurations to meet custome...
Reposted today
$145K - $185K *
Lead and inspire engineering teams to deliver high-quality digital products, ensuring alignment with business priorities while fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement in a dyna...
1 week ago
Senior Director, Client Operations
$192K - $266K *
Drive best-in-class travel support through strategic leadership and operational excellence. Oversee lodging, flights, and customer advocacy, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and exception...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$120K - $150K *
Unlock potential by pioneering advanced GTM systems that enhance revenue operations. As a key engineer, you’ll design and optimize data platforms, streamline automation workflows, and ensure seamless...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$90K - $130K *
Drive automation and testing excellence by implementing efficient QA processes, collaborating with stakeholders, and enhancing DevSecOps practices to ensure mission-critical systems are secure and rel...
1 week ago
$136K - $160K *
Elevate operations through AI-driven automation to enhance incident management, streamline ticket resolution, and optimize service health with self-healing observability, all while collaborating acros...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Principal Software Engineer, Workload Orchestration (Distributed Compute))
$165K - $215K *
Architect innovative solutions to complex technical challenges, driving platform direction and enabling deep specialists. You'll tackle high-leverage problems that define our future capabilities and e...
1 week ago
What is a Performance Engineer?
A Performance Engineer evaluates and improves the speed, capacity, stability, and efficiency of software and systems. The work often includes performance testing, identifying bottlenecks, analyzing results, and collaborating on fixes.
What does a Performance Engineer do day to day?
Typical responsibilities include designing load and stress tests, monitoring application and infrastructure behavior, investigating slowdowns, profiling code or services, and sharing recommendations with engineering teams. Duties vary by company and specialization.
What skills are useful for Performance Engineer jobs?
Useful skills may include performance testing, programming or scripting, systems and distributed architecture, cloud platforms, databases, observability, and data analysis. Employers may also value experience with CI/CD and clear technical communication.
Where do Performance Engineers work?
Performance Engineers work in industries that rely on digital services, including technology, financial services, healthcare, retail, and e-commerce. They may focus on applications, platforms, infrastructure, or end-to-end user experience.
How can I find Performance Engineer jobs paying $100,000 or more?
Browse Performance Engineer listings on Ladders and review each posting for salary, responsibilities, qualifications, and work arrangements. Ladders features vetted professional jobs paying $100,000 or more.