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.
Director of Software Engineering, Platform Services
$208K - $306K *
Join a team that's redefining engineering excellence by leading platform services that enhance software development. Drive innovation, consolidate capabilities, and foster a culture of collaboration t...
2 weeks ago
Senior Program Engineer, IT Services & Cloud Operations
$120K - $150K *
Drive complex federal platform initiatives, enhancing security, compliance, and infrastructure through innovative engineering solutions and cross-functional leadership...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Senior Site Reliability Engineer II
$120K - $145K *
Drive system reliability and scalability as a Senior Site Reliability Engineer, focusing on automation and collaboration with software teams to enhance performance and maintain service objectives acro...
Today
Senior/Staff Software Engineer (Platform and Execution Model)
$180K - $240K *
Elevate your career by designing and building robust distributed systems. Lead architectural decisions, ensure reliability, and mentor engineers while tackling complex challenges in regulated environm...
1 week ago
$135K - $160K *
Transform client challenges into innovative solutions while mentoring teammates and driving tech excellence. Collaborate in a dynamic, non-hierarchical environment to inspire and elevate product engin...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
$80K - $95K *
Launch operational efficiencies by bridging gaps between Engineering and Customer Experience. Diagnose complex issues, execute backend fixes, and enhance production support using AI and API technologi...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Sr Staff Endpoint Systems Engineer
$141K - $236K *
Lead the charge in defining technical standards for secure, scalable Windows and macOS endpoints. Mentor engineers, manage projects, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure compliance an...
Reposted 1 week ago
$110K - $130K *
Drive reliability and performance as you enhance our platform's uptime, observability, and operational standards. Collaborate with engineering teams to tackle complex challenges in data processing and...
2 weeks ago
Senior Routing Engine Developer (CX Platform)
$120K - $145K *
Drive the development of a cutting-edge routing engine for enterprise contact centers, ensuring real-time distribution of interactions across various channels. Collaborate with cross-functional teams...
6 days ago
Senior Routing Engine Developer (CX Platform)
$120K - $145K *
Join a team that's designing and developing a cutting-edge routing engine for enterprise-scale contact centers, ensuring real-time distribution of interactions across various channels while optimizing...
6 days ago
Senior Routing Engine Developer (CX Platform)
$120K - $145K *
Empower the future of contact centers by designing and building a cutting-edge routing engine. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver scalable, resilient solutions that enhance real-time i...
6 days ago
Senior Routing Engine Developer (CX Platform)
$120K - $145K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of contact center technology by developing a cutting-edge routing engine. You'll design scalable solutions for real-time interaction distribution, collaborating a...
1 week ago
Senior Routing Engine Developer (CX Platform)
$120K - $145K *
Engineer the next-gen routing platform for enterprise contact centers, focusing on real-time distribution of interactions. Collaborate across teams to build scalable backend services using Java and Sp...
1 week ago
Technical Program Manager, Digital Test $ Evaluation
$110K - $130K *
Unlock potential by leading Digital Test & Evaluation initiatives that integrate modern software solutions into defense workflows, enhancing efficiency and data-driven decision-making across the T&E l...
2 weeks ago
Staff Product Manager, Network Observability
$135K - $160K *
Lead the charge in shaping innovative Network Observability products, driving strategy from concept to launch. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver solutions that empower operators to op...
Yesterday
Senior Technical Product Manager
$141K - $177K *
Join us to shape the future of cybersecurity by leading product vision and strategy for our innovative Autonomous and Continuous pentesting platform, driving impactful solutions that enhance security...
6 days ago
GenAI & High Performance Computing (HPC) Delivery Engineer
$110K - $142K *
Help us deliver cutting-edge GenAI and HPC solutions by deploying and optimizing GPU-accelerated systems. Join a dynamic team to enhance performance and support enterprise customers across the U.S. in...
Reposted yesterday
GenAI & High Performance Computing (HPC) Delivery Engineer
$122K - $158K *
Join a dynamic team as a GenAI & HPC Delivery Engineer, driving cutting-edge GPU solutions and optimizing performance for AI and HPC infrastructures. Engage directly with customers, ensuring successfu...
Reposted 2 days ago
GenAI & High Performance Computing (HPC) Delivery Engineer
$122K - $158K *
Join us to elevate cutting-edge HPC and GenAI solutions through hands-on deployment, configuration, and optimization of GPU-accelerated systems, while collaborating with enterprise customers across th...
Reposted 2 days ago
$88K - $154K *
Optimize and integrate the manufacturing process for hazardous materials, taking ownership from design through commissioning. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to ensure safety and efficiency i...
3 weeks ago
Senior Data Ops and Services Programmer
$100K - $115K *
Unlock the potential of our data infrastructure by optimizing databases, leading projects, and collaborating with teams to ensure data integrity and scalability in a dynamic environment...
Today
Senior Software Engineer (Capture)
$130K - $170K *
Accelerate progress at the forefront of real-time media ingestion, designing and operating distributed services that enhance communication data processing for analytics and security. Lead projects and...
1 week ago
Site Reliability Engineer (Linux)
$120K - $145K *
Join our team to architect and manage cloud infrastructure, tackling complex data security challenges while improving automation and enhancing stability for enterprise solutions. Ideal for hands-on pr...
3 weeks ago
$125K - $150K *
Join a dynamic team to enhance decentralized exchange infrastructure using Rust, TypeScript, and Python. Develop, test, and optimize cutting-edge software while collaborating across multiple disciplin...
3 weeks ago
Engineering Manager - Systems Triage (Metrics & Analysis)
$160K - $193K *
Lead a team to develop metrics and analysis tools that enhance decision-making for autonomous driving software. Engage in hands-on data analysis, manage workflows, and drive insights to improve system...
4 days 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.