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.
$130K - $155K *
Drive the design and implementation of custom heavy tooling for innovative fusion energy systems, collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure safe and efficient hardware integration from conce...
1 month ago
$120K - $145K *
Join a dynamic team to lead engineering efforts in AI server repair, driving process improvements and technical excellence while managing a multidisciplinary group of engineers to enhance operational...
Reposted 6 days ago
$225K - $265K *
Lead and mentor a diverse team of backend engineers in EDR remediation, transforming insights into actionable product capabilities while managing scope and fostering collaboration across engineering t...
2 weeks ago
$190K - $240K *
Innovate with us to build secure, customer-centric platform products. Leverage your extensive software engineering experience to create robust solutions, collaborate across domains, and document your...
Reposted 1 week ago
$78K - $97K *
Join a team that's dedicated to enhancing LED technology through innovative process development. Collaborate with cross-functional experts to troubleshoot, analyze, and improve manufacturing processes...
Reposted 1 week ago
$86K - $126K *
Lead the charge in developing innovative Data Center Hot Aisle Containment solutions. Drive product architecture, mechanical design, and testing to enhance thermal performance and scalability while co...
2 days ago
$86K - $126K *
Lead the charge in developing innovative Data Center Hot Aisle Containment solutions. Drive product architecture, mechanical design, and testing while collaborating with cross-functional teams to enha...
2 days ago
$99K - $145K *
Take ownership of innovative product development for aerospace applications, leading engineering tasks and collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure project success and compliance with indus...
2 weeks ago
$80K - $95K *
Advance automotive quality standards by leading cross-functional teams, driving continuous improvement, and resolving complex quality issues to enhance customer satisfaction and product excellence in...
2 weeks ago
$88K - $105K *
Advance automotive technology by designing and developing validation documentation, software, and test models for electric and hybrid vehicle drive systems. Collaborate with a team to ensure high-qual...
2 weeks ago
$95K - $115K *
Elevate your career by designing and developing cutting-edge validation documentation and software for advanced powertrain systems. Join a dynamic team focused on innovation in electric and hybrid veh...
2 weeks ago
$95K - $115K *
Elevate your career by designing and developing cutting-edge software and HIL models for innovative electric and hybrid vehicle systems. Collaborate with a dynamic team to validate advanced powertrain...
2 weeks ago
$80K - $100K *
Drive technical leadership and problem-solving in manufacturing, ensuring effective communication and continuous improvement across operations while maintaining quality standards and customer satisfac...
2 weeks ago
$80K - $100K *
Transform manufacturing processes by providing technical leadership and problem-solving support. Collaborate with teams to enhance communication, drive continuous improvement, and ensure adherence to...
2 weeks ago
$80K - $95K *
Join a team that's dedicated to driving process improvements and innovation in manufacturing. As a key contributor, you'll enhance product integrity and support technical development initiatives while...
2 weeks ago
$80K - $95K *
Innovate processes to enhance metallurgical integrity and cost efficiency in investment casting for aerospace components, collaborating with teams to optimize production and maintain customer relation...
3 weeks ago
$100K - $120K *
Unlock potential by managing and optimizing HPC clusters for engineering simulations, ensuring seamless operation and user support across multiple teams while driving performance and reliability impro...
1 week ago
$125K - $150K *
Lead customer success post-deployment by managing relationships, resolving issues, and building a high-performing Customer Engineering team. Collaborate with Product and Engineering to enhance solutio...
4 weeks ago
Mechanical Engineer - Thermal R&D
$80K - $95K *
Unlock potential by developing innovative thermal systems for military and commercial applications. Lead projects from ideation to production, utilizing advanced cooling techniques and engaging direct...
1 week ago
System Engineer - Balance of Plant
$100K - $120K *
Drive improvements in equipment reliability and lifecycle management across generating facilities. Collaborate with diverse teams to optimize maintenance strategies and support capital projects, ensur...
3 weeks ago
$119K *
Join a dynamic team to oversee engineering projects, ensuring compliance with design specifications and budget constraints while leading a skilled workforce in the planning and execution of complex in...
2 weeks ago
$80K - $98K *
Innovate manufacturing processes by developing and optimizing equipment to enhance product quality, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness while driving continuous improvement initiatives across productio...
6 days ago
Engineering Manager, Backend Team
$150K - $180K *
Oversee and enhance backend systems while leading a team of engineers. Balance hands-on coding with management, ensuring high-quality architecture and production health in a fast-paced environment. Dr...
1 week ago
$89K - $134K *
Join a dynamic Process Engineering Team to enhance manufacturing processes, support production, and innovate in a collaborative environment. This role offers hands-on experience across various enginee...
3 days ago
$110K - $135K *
Join a team that's dedicated to enhancing quality processes in a dynamic manufacturing environment. Lead hands-on quality initiatives from inspection to customer follow-up, ensuring excellence in cust...
6 days 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.