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 *
Empower operational excellence by leading building systems maintenance, ensuring compliance with safety standards, and enhancing tenant comfort through hands-on technical expertise in high-rise enviro...
Reposted 3 days ago
$80K - $95K *
Lead the charge in emissions testing and validation, ensuring compliance with future standards through rigorous data analysis, problem-solving, and effective communication with technical teams and sta...
1 week ago
$183K - $260K *
Lead the charge in engineering management, driving technical strategy and team excellence while delivering impactful digital solutions in a collaborative environment...
Today
Senior Product Design Engineer
$172K - $203K *
Shape the future of wearables by leading innovative design and development. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to prototype and refine consumer devices with precision and passion in a dynamic, fa...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Continuous Improvement Engineer
$71K - $105K *
Empower operational excellence by leading continuous improvement initiatives, implementing Lean Manufacturing principles, and driving cost reduction projects across the organization to enhance product...
1 week ago
Senior Performance Analysis Engineer
$110K - $130K *
Analyze and optimize missile defense systems through advanced modeling and simulation. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to enhance performance assessments and deliver impactful technical insig...
3 days ago
$67K - $99K *
Unlock potential by bridging engineering and innovation. Collaborate with teams to transform customer specifications into actionable solutions, ensuring compliance and performance while driving produc...
5 days ago
$97K - $143K *
Join a team that's driving innovation in metering and monitoring solutions. Leverage your engineering expertise to support product lifecycle management, enhance customer engagement, and collaborate ac...
3 weeks ago
Internal Acceleration, Research Engineer (Kernels)
$150K - $400K *
Transform the future of AI by building innovative agentic systems. Collaborate with founders and engineers to tackle complex challenges, driving impactful solutions in a fast-paced environment. Embrac...
3 weeks ago
$135K - $160K *
Empower customer success by building automations that enhance post-sale workflows. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to transform customer data into actionable insights, driving measurable impro...
5 days ago
$180K - $230K *
Lead the evolution of quality engineering by empowering teams to own quality end-to-end. Collaborate across functions to define standards, coach Quality Engineers, and drive innovation in testing AI-p...
1 week ago
$125K - $150K *
Empower your career by tackling complex challenges in product engineering. Join a dynamic team where your innovative solutions will shape the future of recruiting technology and drive impactful outcom...
3 weeks ago
$95K - $110K *
Unlock your potential as a Senior Test Automation Engineer, driving quality through automated testing frameworks and collaboration in an Agile environment. Contribute to high-quality software delivery...
6 days ago
$120K - $160K *
Support quality assurance initiatives by collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance product standards and drive continuous improvement within a dynamic manufacturing environment. Engage dire...
Reposted 6 days ago
$120K - $160K *
Transform manufacturing excellence by ensuring quality standards meet and exceed expectations. Collaborate across teams to drive continuous improvement, resolve quality issues, and enhance processes i...
Reposted 6 days ago
$80K - $95K *
Manage engineering projects by analyzing specifications and coordinating production processes. Collaborate with teams to resolve issues, improve productivity, and ensure quality control while guiding...
2 weeks ago
$95K - $115K *
Analyze test systems and drive process improvements to ensure product quality and performance compliance. Collaborate with cross-functional teams throughout all product development phases from concept...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Continuous Improvement Engineer
$80K - $95K *
Drive operational excellence by leading cross-functional projects that enhance safety, quality, and productivity. Utilize Lean Six Sigma methodologies to implement sustainable improvements and achieve...
1 week ago
Senior CPU Performance Architect
$163K - $236K *
Transform the future of technology by leading CPU microarchitecture innovations. Drive performance modeling and analysis to enhance cutting-edge silicon solutions, collaborating with cross-functional...
4 days ago
Performance Automation Specialist, Financial Services
$124K - $180K *
Join a team that's driving innovation in digital media, leveraging AI solutions to enhance Search growth for major partners. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver impactful strategies and...
1 week ago
$88K - $105K *
Transform production processes by leading New Product Introductions, optimizing manufacturing efficiency, and driving cost reduction initiatives in a dynamic electromechanical assembly environment. Co...
3 days ago
$95K - $100K *
Lead a dedicated team to enhance daily operations at a luxury residential property, ensuring exceptional service quality and resident satisfaction while managing maintenance, budgets, and emergency re...
3 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Unlock potential by leading innovative design solutions in semiconductor projects. Leverage your expertise to collaborate with multi-disciplined teams, streamline processes, and deliver high-quality e...
Reposted 3 days ago
$90K - $110K *
Drive the success of large-scale construction projects by managing documentation, coordinating teams, and ensuring quality standards are met throughout all phases, contributing to a collaborative and...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Software Engineer - Traffic Efficiency
$150K - $180K *
Explore opportunities to enhance edge infrastructure performance and reliability. Lead cross-functional teams to drive impactful solutions across services, operating systems, and hardware, ensuring ef...
2 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.