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.
Senior Staff Engineer, Productivity
$130K - $260K *
Unlock potential by leading the architecture and engineering of secure Microsoft 365 and AI solutions. Drive technical strategy, mentor teams, and translate complex business needs into effective, main...
1 week ago
Senior Staff Engineer, Productivity
$130K - $260K *
Lead the charge in shaping technical strategy and execution for Microsoft 365 and AI capabilities, driving architecture and engineering across teams to deliver secure, resilient solutions that meet co...
1 week ago
Senior Staff Engineer, Productivity
$130K - $260K *
Lead the charge in shaping technical strategy and execution for Microsoft 365 and AI capabilities, driving architecture and engineering excellence across cross-functional teams while mentoring enginee...
1 week ago
Senior Staff Engineer, Productivity
$130K - $260K *
Lead the technical direction for Microsoft 365 and AI capabilities, translating complex business needs into secure, maintainable solutions while mentoring teams and establishing architecture standards...
1 week ago
Senior Staff Engineer, Productivity
$130K - $260K *
Join a dynamic team as a Senior Staff Engineer, leading the architecture and implementation of secure Microsoft 365 and AI solutions. Drive technical direction, mentor engineers, and translate complex...
1 week ago
Senior Staff Engineer, Productivity
$130K - $260K *
Lead the charge in shaping technical strategy and delivering secure Microsoft 365 and AI capabilities. Collaborate across teams to translate complex business needs into robust solutions while mentorin...
1 week ago
Senior Staff Engineer, Productivity
$130K - $260K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of Microsoft 365 and AI solutions. Lead architecture and engineering efforts, translating complex needs into secure, scalable platforms while mentoring cross-func...
1 week ago
$120K - $145K *
Join us to design and build intuitive product interfaces, bridging design and code. You'll create seamless user experiences using Figma and React, ensuring high-quality delivery from concept to produc...
2 weeks ago
Manufacturing Engineer - Machining
$80K - $95K *
Join a dynamic team to enhance CNC machining processes, driving productivity and quality improvements. Collaborate cross-functionally to tackle manufacturing challenges and implement innovative soluti...
3 days ago
Engineering Manager, Admin Experience
$225K - $265K *
Shape the future of secure administration by leading a dynamic engineering team focused on backend services, user access, and account management. Drive innovation while ensuring operational excellence...
1 week ago
Software Engineer, Compensation Planning
$141K - $190K *
Shape the future of compensation technology by developing key workflows and features that enhance employee experiences. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver impactful solutions that driv...
Reposted 3 days ago
Lead Project Engineer - Aerospace
$110K - $130K *
Drive innovation by collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance product design and development in aerospace. Leverage your expertise in hydraulic actuators or pneumatic systems to support pro...
1 week ago
Lead Project Engineer - Aerospace
$110K - $130K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of aerospace by leading innovative product development projects. Collaborate with cross-functional experts to design and implement cutting-edge hydraulic and pneu...
1 week ago
Lead Project Engineer - Aerospace
$110K - $130K *
Champion innovative product development by collaborating with cross-functional teams to design, analyze, and implement hydraulic and pneumatic systems, ensuring excellence throughout the aerospace pro...
1 week ago
$110K - $130K *
Pioneer innovative engineering solutions by leading a high-performing team focused on front-end, process, and manufacturing engineering. Drive strategic initiatives, enhance production processes, and...
5 days ago
Senior Tooling and Automation Engineer
$120K - $160K *
Empower our Managed Services tooling ecosystem by designing integrations and automations. You'll lead the configuration of Jira Service Management, optimize alerting, and ensure seamless connectivity...
1 week ago
Continuous Improvement Engineer
$145K - $187K *
Lead the charge in optimizing end-to-end processes and implementing continuous improvement initiatives. Drive strategic projects, share best practices, and represent the organization in various forums...
3 days ago
$135K - $165K *
Elevate your career by driving platform engineering and automation. In this hands-on role, you'll enhance infrastructure reliability, develop deployment pipelines, and mentor teams to optimize operati...
2 days ago
$135K - $165K *
Shape the future of infrastructure engineering by building robust automation and deployment capabilities. Collaborate with teams to enhance platform reliability and resolve complex issues while mentor...
2 days ago
$88K - $100K *
Lead process performance in production, driving continuous improvement and troubleshooting automated systems to achieve SQDCP objectives while collaborating with cross-functional teams on new product...
1 week ago
Lead Engineer - Mechanical Component
$95K - $115K *
Champion the design and development of mechanical components, enhancing existing products while ensuring adherence to engineering standards. Collaborate across teams to drive technical improvements an...
2 weeks ago
Product Design Engineering Manager
$150K - $180K *
Drive innovation by leading a team of mechanical engineers to design next-gen AR hardware. Collaborate across disciplines to ensure manufacturability and quality from concept to mass production, shapi...
3 weeks ago
$95K - $115K *
Lead the design and execution of performance testing strategies to ensure software applications meet scalability and usability standards. Collaborate with development teams to identify bottlenecks and...
2 weeks ago
$100K - $120K *
Join a team that's shaping innovative product experiences through design and code. Collaborate with designers and engineers to enhance Aaru's visual identity and deliver polished, user-centric solutio...
3 weeks ago
$113K - $165K *
Lead the charge in shaping the future of power distribution technology. Drive innovation in testing strategies and product design while mentoring a talented team in a state-of-the-art laboratory envir...
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.