Systems Performance Engineers help organizations make software and infrastructure faster, more reliable, and more efficient. They measure performance, identify bottlenecks, and partner with engineering teams to improve systems across applications, operating systems, networks, and cloud environments. Explore vetted Systems Performance Engineer opportunities on Ladders, including roles with salaries of $100,000 or more.
These engineers investigate how systems behave under real-world and peak workloads. Their work may include designing benchmarks, analyzing metrics and traces, profiling applications, conducting load and stress tests, and recommending improvements. Depending on the organization, they may focus on distributed services, databases, compute platforms, embedded systems, or large-scale infrastructure.
Employers often seek experience with performance analysis, benchmarking, observability, and troubleshooting complex systems. Useful technical skills may include programming in languages such as C++, Java, Go, or Python; knowledge of Linux and operating systems; distributed systems and networking fundamentals; and familiarity with cloud platforms and monitoring tools. Strong analytical thinking and the ability to communicate findings across teams are also valuable.
Systems Performance Engineers work in industries where speed, scale, and uptime matter, including technology, cloud computing, finance, telecommunications, and enterprise software. Career paths may lead to senior or staff engineering positions, performance architecture, site reliability engineering, infrastructure leadership, or specialized systems research. Responsibilities and qualifications vary by employer and role.
Search Ladders for Systems Performance Engineer jobs and discover vetted professional opportunities with salaries of $100,000 or more. Compare roles by employer, location, and experience level to find openings aligned with your skills and career goals.
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
$120K - $500K+*
Join a team that's at the forefront of AI innovation, translating architectures into impactful performance models while collaborating across functions to enhance workflows and tools in a rapidly evolv...
4 weeks ago
System Software Engineer - Performance
$124K - $195K *
Unlock potential by designing and optimizing software for next-gen SoCs, enhancing performance and efficiency in datacenter products. Collaborate on cutting-edge ARM architecture and drive innovation...
6 days ago
Senior Software Performance Engineer
$160K - $180K *
Optimize system performance as a Senior Performance Engineer, focusing on latency and resource management. Collaborate with robotics teams to enhance high-throughput execution reliability and efficien...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Senior Production Support Engineer
$110K - $130K *
Lead the transformation of our cloud-based application support by driving incident resolution, enhancing system reliability, and mentoring team members. Shape operational excellence through automation...
6 days ago
$136K - $160K *
Elevate operations through AI-driven automation to enhance incident management, streamline ticket resolution, and optimize service health with self-healing observability, all while collaborating acros...
Reposted 6 days ago
$100K - $200K *
Partner with us to develop groundbreaking simulation products, focusing on AI and robotics. Engage with customers to shape product roadmaps, create prototypes, and enhance integration within the simul...
3 weeks ago
Platform Site Reliability Engineer
$165K *
Champion innovative solutions as a Platform Site Reliability Engineer, enhancing infrastructure, optimizing deployment pipelines, and ensuring system reliability, scalability, and security in collabor...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
$140K - $170K *
Execute complex, cross-functional initiatives while navigating ambiguity and redefining operational models. Your strategic insights and leadership will propel projects to success and enhance overall o...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Elevate your career by designing and maintaining advanced IT infrastructure platforms, ensuring reliability and security. Collaborate with teams to optimize solutions, automate processes, and enhance...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Senior Site Reliability Engineer - Infra Ops
$152K - $205K *
Join a team that's designing and operating secure, scalable platform infrastructure for critical digital assets. Leverage your SRE expertise to enhance reliability, performance, and security across hy...
1 week ago
Senior Platform Implementation Engineer
$110K - $130K *
Empower teams by managing project implementations, ensuring quality service handoff, and optimizing system performance through technical oversight and coordinated customer engagement...
3 weeks ago
Continuous Improvement Engineer
$120K - $135K *
Drive operational excellence by leveraging data analysis and Lean Six Sigma methodologies. Lead initiatives that enhance performance across functions, mentor teams, and align improvements with strateg...
4 days ago
$95K - $115K *
Join a team that's dedicated to enhancing application performance through expert Dynatrace monitoring. Collaborate with IT professionals to analyze, troubleshoot, and optimize application performance...
1 week ago
Senior Engineer, Load Integration & Model Development
$175K - $210K *
Join a team that's innovating the future of energy by integrating large-load facilities into the electric grid, solving complex challenges, and ensuring reliable power supply for high-performance comp...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Senior Manager, Software Engineering
$225K - $265K *
Partner with us to lead a high-performing engineering team, driving innovation and efficiency in our travel marketplace. You'll manage project lifecycles, enhance collaboration, and champion a custome...
4 days ago
$120K - $165K *
Drive innovative fuel performance analysis to optimize design and support advanced fission solutions. Collaborate across teams, develop methodologies, and document findings to contribute to our clean...
3 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Manage and optimize cloud infrastructure solutions on Azure, focusing on Kubernetes and CI/CD pipelines. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance production services, ensuring high availabil...
2 weeks ago
Senior Operations Engineering Program Manager
$120K - $145K *
Shape the future of operational excellence by leading engineering initiatives, driving program execution, and fostering cross-functional collaboration to enhance performance and deliver key operationa...
2 weeks ago
Manager, Production Site Reliability Engineering
$140K - $160K *
Lead the establishment of a Production Site Reliability Engineering team, ensuring high availability and performance of web applications while driving operational excellence and strategic improvement...
3 weeks ago
$85K - $115K *
Empower IT operations by building and managing internal systems, ensuring productivity and security. As the first hire, you'll shape the IT function, streamline processes, and support the team while c...
4 days ago
$79K - $143K *
Join a team that's redefining release engineering by optimizing CI/CD pipelines, integrating AI solutions, and ensuring high-quality software delivery through innovative automation and collaboration w...
5 days ago
Senior Manager, Technical Support Engineering
$147K - $205K *
Innovate with us to lead global Technical Support Engineering operations, enhancing customer experience through effective problem-solving, operational excellence, and team development. Drive continuou...
5 days ago
$120K - $145K *
Take ownership of complex data infrastructure design and automation, ensuring reliable pipelines and mentoring peers. Elevate team performance by enhancing CI/CD processes while working independently...
4 weeks ago
Member of Technical Staff - GPU Performance Engineer
$150K - $180K *
Optimize performance by designing custom CUDA kernels and integrating research ideas into production code to enhance training, post-training, and inference workflows. Collaborate with a small, agile t...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
What is a Systems Performance Engineer?
A Systems Performance Engineer measures and improves the speed, capacity, and efficiency of software and infrastructure. The role typically involves benchmarking, profiling, workload analysis, and working with engineering teams to resolve performance bottlenecks.
What skills are important for Systems Performance Engineer jobs?
Commonly valued skills include performance testing and profiling, programming, Linux and operating systems knowledge, distributed systems, networking, cloud platforms, and observability tools. Requirements differ by employer and specialization.
Where do Systems Performance Engineers work?
They work across sectors that depend on responsive, reliable technology, including software, cloud services, finance, telecommunications, and enterprise technology.
How can I find Systems Performance Engineer jobs paying $100,000 or more?
Browse Systems Performance Engineer openings on Ladders, which features vetted professional jobs paying $100,000 or more. Review each listing for its compensation details, location, and qualifications.