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.
Build Engineer, Advanced Concepts
$100K - $125K *
Drive innovation in electric aviation by developing processes and tooling for structural assemblies. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance manufacturability, manage build timelines, and e...
6 days ago
Principal Software Engineer, Collaborative Web Platform
$175K - $219K *
Elevate engineering excellence by guiding technical strategy and best practices across teams. Lead architectural vision, ensure reliability and security, and foster collaboration to build a cutting-ed...
Reposted 1 month ago
$95K - $115K *
Drive your career with a leading role in bridge design, overseeing complex projects and mentoring junior engineers. Engage in innovative structural planning and analysis for transportation infrastruct...
3 weeks ago
Senior Embedded Platform Engineer
$150K - $250K *
Develop robust real-time firmware for safety-critical control systems. Collaborate across teams to architect, implement, and maintain firmware for microcontroller platforms, ensuring reliability and s...
Reposted 1 week ago
$135K - $160K *
Join a team that's shaping developer experiences by creating impactful tutorials, demo apps, and tools. Collaborate across departments to enhance adoption and usability of Render's products while test...
5 days ago
$160K - $187K *
Grow your career with a hands-on Engineering Manager role leading a dynamic team to enhance an AI-powered healthcare hiring platform, ensuring quality, reliability, and innovation across multiple tech...
1 week ago
$80K - $140K *
Unlock potential by leading propulsion test campaigns and ensuring reliable performance of advanced defense systems. Collaborate on hardware, test infrastructure, and data analysis to drive rapid deve...
Reposted yesterday
$110K - $130K *
Unlock potential by leading a dynamic engineering team to enhance operational efficiency, drive product quality, and implement innovative manufacturing solutions while ensuring optimal resource utiliz...
2 weeks ago
Principal Engineer, Autonomy Evaluation
$250K - $384K *
Shape the future of autonomous driving by leading evaluation methods and metrics. Drive innovation in assessing driving behavior and subsystem performance while mentoring engineers and influencing cro...
Today
$75K - $100K *
Shape the future of production efficiency by leading Lean initiatives and driving continuous improvement strategies. Collaborate with teams to enhance processes, stability, and quality within manufact...
Reposted 1 week ago
Senior Traffic Engineer, Professional Engineer - Signals, ITS, and Lighting
$120K - $160K *
Join a team that's redefining transportation engineering by managing complex projects focused on Intelligent Transportation Systems, traffic signals, and roadway lighting. Leverage your expertise to l...
Reposted 1 week ago
$165K - $185K *
Drive innovation by leading the design and implementation of complex application systems. Mentor junior engineers while ensuring scalable, secure, and user-friendly solutions that significantly impact...
Reposted 3 days ago
$140K - $190K *
Join us as an Engineering Manager to architect healthcare integrations, mentor engineers, and drive system design while ensuring scalability and reliability in a fast-paced environment. Your coding ex...
3 weeks ago
$95K - $115K *
Lead a dynamic team overseeing mobile broadcast operations, ensuring technical excellence and seamless execution of live productions. Drive show readiness, manage crew performance, and maintain high s...
2 weeks ago
$90K - $110K *
Transform the future of mobile broadcasting by leading technical operations, ensuring show readiness, and delivering exceptional live production experiences while mentoring teams and managing client r...
2 weeks ago
Senior Front End Software Engineer
$110K - $130K *
Empower innovation as you design and develop cutting-edge applications, collaborating with global teams to solve complex software challenges and enhance user experiences through modern technologies...
3 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Join us to design and build intuitive product interfaces, bridging design and code. You'll create seamless user experiences, maintain our design system, and collaborate closely with teams to elevate p...
2 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Explore the intersection of design and engineering by creating intuitive interfaces for AI safety workflows. Collaborate with teams to ensure seamless transitions from design to production, enhancing...
2 weeks ago
$80K - $95K *
Champion innovation by testing and maintaining UAS platforms, ensuring quality and reliability through rigorous software and hardware evaluations while collaborating with engineering teams to optimize...
1 week ago
Process Engineer, Threading & Services
$80K - $95K *
Drive process improvement and operational excellence by collaborating with teams to enhance productivity, reduce variation, and implement sustainable engineering solutions in a dynamic manufacturing e...
3 weeks ago
Engineering Manager, Discovery
$150K - $180K *
Champion innovative care discovery solutions by leading a dynamic engineering team. Collaborate across functions to enhance user experiences, streamline workflows, and drive measurable outcomes in hea...
2 weeks ago
$75K - $90K *
Join a dynamic team to oversee multidisciplinary engineering projects from proposal to close-out. Manage scope, schedule, and budget while ensuring client satisfaction and team coordination across var...
2 days ago
$92K - $110K *
Join our team as a Senior Tooling Engineer to enhance tooling processes and lead innovative projects. You will oversee tooling build timelines and implement best practices while ensuring high-quality...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
$119K - $221K *
Elevate the future of circuit design by developing AI/ML technologies that enhance analysis and characterization of advanced digital and mixed-signal circuits, while collaborating with a skilled R&D t...
2 weeks ago
$138K - $165K *
Develop innovative algorithms for next-gen routing and synthesis technologies, collaborating with global teams to enhance digital IC design. Engage in high-performance software development and tackle...
3 weeks 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.