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.
Staff Site Reliability Engineer
$150K - $180K *
Drive the design and optimization of scalable, reliable infrastructure for AI-driven cybersecurity. Collaborate across teams to enhance performance and automate processes, ensuring efficient operation...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$125K - $150K *
Architect robust AI infrastructure to detect and mitigate emerging threats. Drive innovation in data ingestion and model tuning while managing complex pipelines in a high-stakes environment that evolv...
3 weeks ago
Senior ML / Evaluation Engineer
$135K - $160K *
Explore exciting challenges in AI evaluation by developing frameworks and custom validators for cutting-edge machine learning applications. Collaborate to enhance the quality and reliability of AI age...
2 weeks ago
Technical Program Manager, Network
$180K - $230K *
Lead complex, multi-workstream technology programs, ensuring alignment across teams and delivering customer outcomes through strategic planning, execution, and governance. Drive program success by man...
Today
Software Engineer- Benchmarking
$160K - $210K *
Discover a vital role in developing and managing benchmarking systems for AI evaluations, collaborating with researchers to translate methodologies into reproducible solutions that yield accurate and...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$95K - $105K *
Contribute to the development and support of advanced missile systems as a systems engineer. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance the capabilities of critical defense technologies while...
6 days ago
Staff Firefox Performance Engineer
$163K - $218K *
Help us enhance browser performance by tackling complex challenges, optimizing code, and collaborating with teams to deliver a fast, reliable experience for users across multiple platforms...
1 week ago
Senior GRC Engineer (Special Programs)
$110K - $130K *
Optimize client compliance engagements by leading cross-functional teams, ensuring alignment with SOC 2, ISO 27001, and NIST CSF standards while driving operational excellence and fostering strong rel...
3 weeks ago
Senior Mechanical Engineer, Operations Engineering
$110K - $130K *
Lead the design and optimization of mechanical systems for data centers, ensuring reliability, energy efficiency, and compliance. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance operational perform...
2 weeks ago
Senior Performance Software Engineer
$150K - $230K *
Unlock performance excellence by driving innovative testing strategies and optimizing system efficiency across diverse engineering teams. Leverage your expertise to ensure application responsiveness a...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Senior Technical Support Engineer
$120K - $137K *
Empower customers as a Senior Technical Support Engineer, solving complex technical issues with modern tools while enhancing user experience, collaborating with engineering, and shaping innovative sup...
2 weeks ago
$88K - $154K *
Lead the charge in high-quality process design for complex industrial projects, collaborating across disciplines to ensure effective delivery from concept to detail, while driving execution in a dynam...
3 weeks ago
$130K - $160K *
Unlock potential by leading mobile app development, shaping user experiences, and driving technical direction in a fast-paced environment. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver intuitive...
1 week ago
Sr Systems Engineer- Production Support
$110K - $130K *
Support the operational efficiency of complex application cloud systems. Collaborate with teams to detect, document, and resolve system outages, ensuring compliance with standards while utilizing cont...
4 weeks ago
Software Power Systems Engineer
$110K - $130K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of power systems engineering. As a key member, you'll design and develop scalable analysis modules, driving innovation in distribution system analysis and optimiz...
6 days ago
$80K - $95K *
Engage with our dynamic engineering team as you design and model innovative refrigerant and water piping systems using Solidworks, ensuring precision in product documentation and lifecycle management...
3 weeks ago
$102K - $146K *
Transform your career by managing Kubernetes environments, ensuring scalability and reliability of containerized applications while collaborating with development teams to enhance operational efficien...
2 weeks ago
Cloud Site Reliability Engineer
$120K - $130K *
Join a team that champions cloud reliability and security. This role involves enhancing AWS infrastructure, automating deployments, and leading incident responses, ensuring top-notch service for healt...
4 weeks ago
Staff Operations Engineer - Hybrid Cloud Networking
$156K - $190K *
Innovate with us to advance cloud networking solutions, tackling complex infrastructure challenges across hybrid environments. Your expertise will drive operational excellence while mentoring teams an...
4 weeks ago
$125K - $150K *
Elevate your career by driving data engineering excellence in Palantir Foundry, transforming legacy systems into robust pipelines and applications while collaborating with cross-functional teams to de...
1 week ago
$135K - $160K *
Join a dynamic team as you architect resilient AWS and Kubernetes infrastructures, driving automation and observability while ensuring compliance in a fast-paced healthcare environment. Shape the futu...
3 days ago
Principal Product Manager, Compute Platform - Cloud Infrastructure
$500K+*
Pioneer the evolution of Netflix's Compute Platform, driving innovation in distributed systems and AI integration. Lead product strategy, enhance efficiency, and collaborate across teams to ensure rob...
2 weeks ago
Senior Forward Deployed Engineer (FDE)
$170K - $205K *
Join a dynamic team to lead AI agent deployments in healthcare. Leverage your software engineering expertise and client-facing skills to drive technical delivery, influence product development, and en...
Today
$110K - $130K *
Engage with sales teams to identify prospects and demonstrate solutions that enhance organizational security. Educate clients on challenges and drive meetings to provide tailored solutions, ensuring e...
3 days ago
$110K - $130K *
Drive operational excellence by enhancing reliability and performance of a SaaS platform. Collaborate with development teams to implement automation, incident management, and observability practices...
1 week 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.