Explore Systems Performance Engineer jobs with organizations seeking experienced professionals to improve the speed, efficiency, and reliability of complex technology platforms. Ladders features vetted professional opportunities with salaries of $100,000 or more, including roles for engineers who can identify performance bottlenecks and translate measurements into practical improvements.
Systems Performance Engineers analyze how software, infrastructure, and distributed systems behave under real-world workloads. They use profiling, benchmarking, monitoring, and load testing to find constraints across applications, operating systems, networks, databases, and cloud environments. Their work can include optimizing code and configurations, building performance test frameworks, evaluating capacity, and partnering with development and operations teams to improve service reliability.
Requirements vary by role, but employers commonly seek strong systems fundamentals, experience with performance measurement and troubleshooting, and fluency in programming or scripting languages. Familiarity with Linux, networking, distributed systems, cloud platforms, observability tools, and workload-generation or profiling tools can be valuable. Senior positions may also call for technical leadership, clear communication of trade-offs, and experience guiding performance improvements across teams.
Systems Performance Engineers work across industries that depend on responsive, resilient technology, including cloud computing, enterprise software, financial services, telecommunications, and e-commerce. Related career paths may include performance architect, site reliability engineer, systems engineer, infrastructure engineer, or engineering manager. Browse current openings to compare responsibilities, technologies, and senior-level opportunities.
Search Systems Performance Engineer jobs on Ladders to discover vetted professional roles paying $100,000 or more. Review each listing for salary details, experience expectations, and technical requirements, then focus your search on opportunities that match your background and career goals.
CPU Performance and Workload Analysis Engineer, Platform Architecture
$145K - $175K *
Lead the charge in optimizing CPU architectures by collaborating with cross-functional teams, leveraging data-driven insights to enhance performance, and guiding future CPU developments through effect...
1 week ago
Systems Performance Modeling Engineer
$130K - $155K *
Transform generative AI performance predictions by modeling workloads on scalable systems. Collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams to innovate and validate performance models, ensuring accuracy from...
3 weeks ago
Software Engineer - Systems Performance, CoreOS
$120K - $145K *
Champion the development of Apple’s operating systems by tackling performance challenges across usability, API design, and cross-platform compatibility, while collaborating with app developers to enha...
5 days ago
CPU Performance Engineer, Platform Architecture
$130K - $155K *
Optimize CPU performance by analyzing micro-architecture and workloads, collaborating with design teams to enhance simulation environments and drive innovation in branch prediction and prefetching tec...
1 week ago
CPU Performance Engineer, Platform Architecture
$145K - $175K *
Transform CPU performance through innovative micro-architecture analysis, collaborating with experts to identify bottlenecks and enhance simulation environments for data-driven decisions and team prod...
1 week ago
Software Engineer III, Performance, Google Cloud Platforms
$147K - $210K *
Join a team that's dedicated to designing and enhancing innovative software solutions. Leverage your technical skills to manage project priorities and deliverables while collaborating with peers to dr...
3 days ago
Sr Performance Validation Engineer
$183K - $247K *
Lead innovative validation strategies for pre-silicon performance in complex SoCs. Collaborate with design teams to ensure optimal power and functionality, enhancing chip designs before tape-out acros...
Reposted 4 weeks ago
$135K - $160K *
Optimize critical performance systems and enhance user experience through high-performance computing and low-level systems expertise while collaborating with a dedicated team in a dynamic environment...
3 weeks ago
Software Performance Engineer for Memory, CoreOS
$145K - $175K *
Empower innovation across iOS, macOS, and watchOS by collaborating with diverse software teams. Drive performance optimization and feature development through coding expertise and best practices, enha...
1 week ago
$110K - $130K *
Lead the charge in diagnosing and resolving critical production issues across proprietary trading systems, ensuring optimal performance and seamless trade execution in a fast-paced environment...
3 weeks ago
Software Engineer III, Performance, Platforms Infrastructure Engineering
$147K - $210K *
Join a team that's redefining AI and Infrastructure, driving innovation and delivering scalable solutions. Leverage your technical expertise to manage projects, enhance software, and empower users glo...
6 days ago
Senior Operational Performance Engineer, Performance Tracking & Evidence Strategy
$155K - $195K *
Drive vehicle performance excellence by tracking and assessing data from design to production. Collaborate across engineering teams to close performance gaps and enhance future vehicle designs through...
1 week ago
$115K - $150K *
Transform the future of propulsion by guiding engine cycle models, validating data, and collaborating with design teams to innovate high-performance turbine engines. This role offers a chance to shape...
1 week ago
$110K - $130K *
Transform wireless communications by leveraging your expertise in DAS networks and radio technologies. Join a dynamic team focused on optimizing performance and fostering innovation in both indoor and...
3 weeks ago
System Performance Engineer - AI/ML, Platform Architecture
$138K - $165K *
Join our team to enhance product performance by benchmarking AI experiences. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to analyze and optimize system performance, ensuring excellence in AI/ML workloads...
1 week ago
System Performance Engineer - AI/ML, Platform Architecture
$150K - $180K *
Join a dynamic team to optimize AI/ML performance across platforms, ensuring excellence in product experiences through rigorous benchmarking and analysis. Collaborate cross-functionally to drive innov...
1 week ago
Staff Software Engineer, Google Cloud Compute, Performance
$207K - $300K *
Innovate with us to drive architectural direction for next-gen VM offerings, optimizing performance and efficiency. Collaborate across teams to deliver scalable solutions that empower Google Cloud cus...
5 days ago
Software Program Performance Engineer IV
$110K - $130K *
Shape the future of software performance engineering by driving metrics, managing schedules, and ensuring process adherence across complex programs. Collaborate with teams to deliver high-quality resu...
Today
Operations Engineer, SSD Startup
$68K - $103K *
Join a team that's revolutionizing same-day delivery! Lead cross-functional projects, manage stakeholders, and ensure timely execution of facility infrastructure initiatives while tackling challenges...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
CPU Performance & Workload Analysis Architect, Platform Architecture
$150K - $180K *
Shape the future of CPU architecture by bridging hardware and software. Collaborate with diverse teams to optimize performance and drive innovations in next-gen designs, ensuring efficient application...
1 week ago
Senior Software Performance Engineer - Autonomous Vehicles
$224K - $431K *
Unlock potential by optimizing autonomous driving software performance. Collaborate across teams to enhance latency and throughput, leveraging cutting-edge technologies in a dynamic, multi-hardware en...
Reposted 1 week ago
Senior Software Engineer, Performance Engineering
$234K - $436K *
Join a team that's driving innovation in performance engineering for high-scale data ingestion. You'll enhance throughput, scalability, and efficiency of multi-source pipelines, tackling complex chall...
Reposted 3 days ago
Principal Software Development Engineer in Test (Performance & Bare-Metal)
$140K - $252K *
Unlock potential by leading test strategies for hypervisor performance and VM quality. Collaborate with teams to design automated benchmarks and validate deployment safety, ensuring high standards acr...
4 days ago
Principal Software Development Engineer in Test (Performance & Bare-Metal)
$140K - $252K *
Contribute to the development of robust test strategies for hypervisor performance and VM quality. Collaborate with teams to ensure deployment safety and validate systems, while mentoring others in st...
4 days ago
$130K - $160K *
Lead the charge in performance engineering by designing strategies, building automated tests, and collaborating with teams to enhance product reliability and scalability, ensuring a seamless customer...
Reposted 2 days ago
What does a Systems Performance Engineer do?
A Systems Performance Engineer measures and improves the performance of software and infrastructure. Typical work includes benchmarking, profiling, load testing, diagnosing bottlenecks, and collaborating with teams on optimization and capacity planning.
What skills are commonly required for Systems Performance Engineer jobs?
Employers often look for systems and networking fundamentals, performance testing and profiling experience, programming or scripting skills, and familiarity with operating systems, distributed systems, cloud platforms, and monitoring tools. Specific requirements depend on the role.
Where do Systems Performance Engineers work?
They work in technology-focused organizations and industries such as cloud computing, enterprise software, finance, telecommunications, and e-commerce, where application speed, scalability, and reliability are important.
How can I find Systems Performance Engineer jobs paying $100,000 or more?
Search the Systems Performance Engineer listings on Ladders. Ladders focuses on vetted professional jobs paying $100,000 or more; review individual listings for compensation, qualifications, and location details.
What roles can Systems Performance Engineers move into?
Depending on experience and interests, career paths may include performance architect, site reliability engineer, systems or infrastructure engineer, technical lead, or engineering manager.