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.
$128K - $171K *
Elevate your career by managing compliance programs, including ISMS and audits. Collaborate across teams to drive security initiatives, ensuring alignment with ISO 27001 and SOC 2 standards. Design an...
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$163K - $218K *
Shape the future of information security by maintaining and advancing our ISMS while ensuring ISO 27001 and SOC 2 Type 2 compliance. Drive collaborations across teams to build effective processes and...
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$100K - $120K *
Accelerate progress at the intersection of manufacturing and technology. Collaborate with sales teams to address customer challenges in OT/IT integration, showcasing how our platform delivers value th...
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Director, Software Engineering, Reuters
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Transform the content management platform by leading engineering teams, shaping technical strategy, and ensuring scalable architecture while driving innovation in editorial workflows and AI integratio...
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Software Engineer, Mission Systems
$110K - $130K *
Lead the development of software systems for autonomous aviation, managing architecture, integration, and performance across airborne, ground, and cloud environments to enhance operation and reliabili...
2 weeks ago
$165K - $180K *
Transform healthcare solutions by leading the design and development of scalable, high-performance systems. Collaborate with cross-functional teams and mentor junior engineers to drive innovation and...
3 weeks ago
$95K - $115K *
Support our Energy Resources team by conducting EMT studies and developing power system models. Collaborate with leadership to enhance staff expertise and deliver high-quality advisory services to cli...
5 days ago
$95K - $115K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of energy through advanced EMT modeling and power system studies. Collaborate with leadership to deliver innovative solutions and provide expert guidance to clien...
5 days ago
Senior Manager, Engineering Recruiting
$110K - $130K *
Lead the charge in engineering recruiting by shaping hiring strategies, developing a high-performing team, and enhancing scalable processes to support growth while personally managing senior leadershi...
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Experienced Senior Turbine Aerodynamicist
$150K - $190K *
Unlock your potential as a Senior Turbine Aerodynamicist, leading innovative turbine design and analysis for aircraft and industrial engines. Collaborate across teams to drive strategic improvements a...
1 week ago
$105K - $149K *
Lead the charge in safeguarding our IT environment by managing security incidents, collaborating across teams, and enhancing our incident response capabilities to ensure compliance and protection agai...
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Growth Engineer, Developer Platform
$200K - $322K *
Lead the charge in driving open source adoption and governance. Manage community infrastructure, contributor pathways, and post-launch plans to ensure sustainable project growth and engagement across...
2 weeks ago
$279K - $419K *
Partner with us to drive power modeling and optimization across CPU, AI, and SoC designs. Collaborate across architecture and implementation phases to enhance performance and efficiency while leading...
1 week ago
$160K - $200K *
Transform large-scale data center projects by leading innovative structural engineering efforts. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure quality and sustainability in design, while managing...
3 weeks ago
$92K - $110K *
Deliver strategic leadership and operational oversight to enhance decision-making processes within the Veterans Health Administration's EHRM, ensuring effective collaboration and communication across...
1 week ago
Senior AI Engineer/ AI Agents Development
$135K - $160K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of AI integration in product development. Lead the creation of an AI-native PDLC framework, enhancing workflows through innovative AI solutions while collaboratin...
3 weeks ago
Thermal Performance Engineer, Heat Balance - Kiewit Power Engineering
$110K - $130K *
Lead thermal performance analysis for power plants, modeling cycles, conducting tests, and collaborating with teams to ensure optimal performance and compliance with project requirements. Occasional t...
2 weeks ago
Senior Engineer - AI Test Automation
$110K - $130K *
Empower your career by developing AI-driven test automation solutions for airline APIs. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance testing workflows and ensure high-quality software delivery i...
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Senior Technical Account Manager (Penetration Testing)
$110K - $140K *
Drive customer success as a Senior Technical Account Manager, leveraging your cybersecurity expertise to enhance client engagement and optimize penetration testing strategies. Collaborate with teams t...
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Senior Software Engineer, Dev Ops
$120K - $145K *
Accelerate progress at the forefront of cloud technology by architecting scalable infrastructures, automating CI/CD processes, and enhancing operational excellence through collaboration and innovation...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
ServiceNow Platform Administrator
$88K - $105K *
Contribute to the effective management of the ServiceNow platform, ensuring optimal performance and user satisfaction through system upgrades, troubleshooting, reporting, and collaboration with stakeh...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Engineering Manager, Provider Ecosystem
$150K - $180K *
Grow a dynamic team driving OpenRouter’s provider ecosystem, managing innovations across diverse models and endpoints, ensuring quality and efficiency in inference services for millions of requests da...
3 weeks ago
Principal Solution Architect, ITSM
$150K - $180K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of technology solutions by leveraging your expertise as a Principal Solution Architect. Drive customer success through innovative implementations and strategic gu...
5 days ago
Senior AI Engineer/ A2A, Databricks, MCP
$145K - $175K *
Deliver robust AI solutions by designing and implementing core agents for a cutting-edge enterprise platform. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure high-quality, production-ready deploymen...
3 weeks ago
Presales Solutions Architect - Observability
$180K - $250K *
Advance your career by leading full stack observability initiatives, driving client engagements, and developing internal practices. Collaborate with teams to design innovative monitoring solutions tha...
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.