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.
$108K - $162K *
Champion innovative mechanical designs for complex electro-mechanical systems, guiding projects from concept to manufacturing. Collaborate across teams to ensure compliance and deliver high-performanc...
5 days ago
$80K - $95K *
Take ownership of quality assurance processes, managing audits and corrective actions. Collaborate across teams to enhance product compliance and drive continuous improvement initiatives within the Qu...
Reposted 1 week ago
$80K - $95K *
Create and optimize manufacturing processes to enhance quality, safety, and efficiency. Drive continuous improvement initiatives while collaborating with teams to meet operational goals and customer e...
4 weeks ago
$88K - $135K *
Join a dynamic team to optimize traffic engineering solutions, enhancing roadway design and operations. Leverage advanced technologies and collaborate with professionals to deliver innovative transpor...
2 weeks ago
$88K - $135K *
Elevate your career by applying advanced traffic engineering techniques to enhance roadway design, safety, and functionality. Collaborate with diverse teams to deliver innovative solutions for transpo...
2 weeks ago
$88K - $135K *
Join a team that's dedicated to enhancing transportation systems through advanced traffic engineering. Leverage your expertise to analyze, design, and implement innovative solutions for roadways and i...
2 weeks ago
$80K - $95K *
Drive impactful mechanical engineering projects from concept to construction, collaborating with a dynamic team to enhance design standards and mentor emerging talent while ensuring quality and compli...
2 weeks ago
$85K - $100K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of engineering by delivering high-performing projects. Leverage your expertise in mechanical engineering to collaborate on innovative designs and mentor emerging...
2 weeks ago
$80K - $95K *
Transform your career by leading mechanical engineering projects from concept to construction. Collaborate with a dynamic team to enhance design standards and mentor emerging talent while ensuring pro...
2 weeks ago
$80K - $95K *
Champion innovative mechanical engineering solutions, leading projects from concept to construction. Collaborate with a dynamic team to enhance design standards and ensure project success in a fast-pa...
2 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Lead the charge in advancing glass recycling practices and operational excellence. Drive projects to enhance quality, productivity, and sustainability while collaborating with site leadership to imple...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$97K - $143K *
Join us to lead a skilled engineering team, enhancing manufacturing processes through innovative solutions and continuous improvement in a dynamic 24/7 environment. Drive efficiency, ensure compliance...
Reposted 2 days ago
$87K - $146K *
Unlock your potential as a Project Engineer, collaborating on diverse civil and environmental projects. Leverage your expertise in design and permitting while managing multiple assignments in a dynami...
1 week ago
Materials Engineer, Moderator Materials
$95K - $115K *
Engineer innovative materials for cutting-edge nuclear microreactor applications. Lead testing and qualification processes, ensuring optimal performance of moderator and reflector materials in a dynam...
2 weeks ago
$120K - $140K *
Champion quality excellence by leading engineering teams to ensure aerospace products meet rigorous standards. Drive compliance, resolve complex issues, and foster continuous improvement through data...
3 weeks ago
$120K - $145K *
Unlock potential by driving top-of-funnel automation and insights. Collaborate with marketing and sales teams to enhance workflows, optimize lead management, and leverage data for impactful decision-m...
3 weeks ago
Senior Engineer - Electrical & Electronics Product & Process Technologies
$110K - $130K *
Advance automotive innovation by leading the development of cutting-edge electrical and electronic systems. Collaborate across teams to enhance manufacturability and drive technology from concept to p...
3 weeks ago
Software Engineer, Technical Lead - Performance Data Platform
$272K - $431K *
Lead the development of a cutting-edge platform for assessing AI workload performance across multiple computing nodes. Drive architecture, build services, and mentor engineers to create a robust syste...
1 week ago
Software Engineer, Performance Instrumentation
$168K - $270K *
Elevate your career by driving innovation in performance instrumentation, collaborating across teams to enhance data quality and efficiency in AI and accelerated computing projects. Join us to shape t...
Reposted 1 week ago
Software Engineer, Performance Instrumentation
$168K - $270K *
Lead the charge in defining performance data requirements and enhancing instrumentation for cutting-edge AI and computing projects. Collaborate across teams to ensure data quality and manage instrumen...
Reposted 1 week ago
Senior Mechanical Engineer (Electromechanical)
$110K - $130K *
Innovate electromechanical hardware for subsea applications, focusing on high-power electronics packaging, cooling, and actuators. Collaborate with engineers to deliver cutting-edge solutions for the...
4 days ago
$200K - $270K *
Unlock potential by leading the architecture and engineering strategy for a cutting-edge AI platform. Drive innovation in scalable, fault-tolerant systems while mentoring engineers and tackling comple...
2 weeks ago
$145K - $155K *
Elevate your career as a Senior Software Engineer, driving innovation in cloud-native applications and AI integration. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance mission-critical systems in a...
1 week ago
Project Management Project Engineer
$107K - $187K *
Lead project management efforts to support government programs, ensuring technical integration and strategic planning. Collaborate with teams to monitor performance, manage requirements, and provide e...
2 days ago
Software Engineer - Infrastructure, Data Platform
$162K - $216K *
Drive the design and maintenance of a robust data streaming architecture, managing near real-time data solutions and collaborating with stakeholders to optimize data strategies that align with organiz...
Reposted 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.