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.
$83K - $155K *
Explore a dynamic role combining application engineering with hands-on field support. Collaborate with customers and teams to troubleshoot and optimize solutions, ensuring successful installations and...
5 days ago
$110K - $130K *
Elevate user experience by designing and implementing high-performance UIs. Engage in collaborative architecture decisions while developing scalable, visually stunning applications that empower users...
3 weeks ago
Senior Engineer, Agentic Engineering Governance, Open Source
$153K - $166K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of AI governance in software development. As a Senior Engineer, you'll design policies and tools that ensure safe, effective use of AI coding agents, empowering d...
4 days ago
Senior AI Engineer with RAG and Agentic architectures
$150K - $180K *
Champion the development of LLM-powered applications and agentic systems. Drive complex use cases from ambiguous problems to production, ensuring high-quality and scalable AI solutions that address us...
2 weeks ago
$125K - $150K *
Innovate core infrastructure and systems for agent-native applications, ensuring high availability and performance while enabling a culture of developer efficiency and confidence in delivery...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Senior Data & AI Platform Engineer
$125K - $150K *
Join a dynamic team to design and build a robust data platform that enhances product performance and supports AI initiatives, ensuring data integrity and accessibility for internal and customer-facing...
2 weeks ago
Senior Infrastructure Test Engineer, DevOps
$120K - $140K *
Unlock your potential as you innovate automated testing solutions for AWS infrastructures and CI/CD pipelines. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance deployment confidence and streamline v...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Staff Gameplay Engineer - Systems and Performance
$172K - $259K *
Drive the architectural evolution of gameplay systems, ensuring peak performance and optimization across platforms. Collaborate with a dynamic, cross-discipline team to innovate solutions that realize...
2 weeks ago
$120K - $145K *
Innovate order management solutions by implementing and integrating OMS capabilities, enhancing eCommerce and fulfillment systems through complex integrations and driving continuous improvement in a f...
1 week ago
$110K - $120K *
Unlock your potential by joining a dynamic engineering team dedicated to building scalable and reliable infrastructure, optimizing system performance, and fostering continuous improvement in a collabo...
3 weeks ago
Principal AI Security Engineer
$172K - $240K *
Join a team that's redefining AI security! As a Principal AI Security Engineer, you'll lead assessments, design controls, and partner with teams to ensure safe AI adoption across the enterprise, drivi...
1 week ago
Sr. Architect | Dynatrace/Observability (Remote)
$170K - $209K *
Transform the observability landscape as a senior leader, guiding Dynatrace practices and mentoring consultants. Drive customer engagements and elevate delivery quality while shaping the future of Obs...
2 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Transform financial operations by leveraging Workday expertise to enhance reporting, payroll, and planning processes. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver scalable solutions and drive co...
Reposted 1 week ago
$110K - $130K *
Elevate your career by joining a dynamic team focused on validating and optimizing Azure developer desktops. You'll design automated tests, ensure security compliance, and enhance performance metrics...
Today
$100K - $120K *
Engage in identifying and delivering industrial energy efficiency solutions across North America. Collaborate with teams to assess systems, develop technical solutions, and support projects from incep...
1 week ago
Engineering Manager, Site Reliability
$214K - $226K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of reliability in technology. Lead and mentor Site Reliability Engineers to enhance system performance, scalability, and operational excellence while collaboratin...
2 weeks ago
Engineering Manager, Site Reliability
$183K - $193K *
Champion reliability and scalability by leading a Site Reliability Engineering team. Drive technical initiatives, enhance operational excellence, and foster collaboration across engineering teams to e...
2 weeks ago
$124K - $241K *
Join a visionary team to architect cloud networking solutions, drive innovation in DPU and NIC technologies, and collaborate with global experts to redefine data center architecture from hardware to a...
Reposted today
$90K - $118K *
Elevate the quality of software by designing automated testing frameworks and integrating AI tools for enhanced efficiency and accuracy. Collaborate cross-functionally to ensure smooth delivery of hig...
2 weeks ago
$100K - $120K *
Join a team that's revolutionizing pharmacy operations with AI. As a Software Engineer, you'll independently ship impactful features and fixes, collaborating closely with experienced engineers in a fa...
2 weeks ago
Senior Staff Technical Product Manager-Service Intelligence
$160K - $192K *
Strategize and lead the development of an AI-driven backend intelligence platform to enhance decision-making across complex operational systems, ensuring reliable and scalable outcomes in a dynamic an...
3 weeks ago
Engineering Manager, Identity & Access Platform
$195K - $236K *
Optimize our identity and access platform by leading a skilled engineering team. Drive technical direction, manage architecture decisions, and enhance security practices while fostering collaboration...
1 week ago
Senior Technical Product Manager, Infrastructure Resilience
$208K - $327K *
Lead the charge in enhancing AI infrastructure resilience by managing GPU cluster operations, collaborating with engineering teams, and driving product priorities to optimize performance and reliabili...
1 week ago
$127K - $160K *
Engineer scalable cloud platforms by automating processes and enhancing reliability. Collaborate with teams to streamline deployments and ensure secure, resilient infrastructure that meets evolving bu...
1 week ago
$150K - $210K *
Engage with customers to design tailored solutions utilizing Zoo's APIs, driving adoption and ensuring successful integration, while supporting sales with technical expertise and customer demonstratio...
Reposted 6 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.