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.
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
Sr Technical Program Manager, Software Deployments
$110K - $130K *
The Technical Program Manager at Axon will lead the delivery of complex, enterprise-grade SaaS solutions, ensuring alignment with customer needs and seamless deployment. This role requires a proactive...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Senior Software Engineer, DevOps
$180K - $270K *
Elevate your career by designing and managing systems that empower engineering teams to deliver code rapidly and reliably. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance CI/CD pipelines and cloud...
6 days ago
Senior Software Engineer, DevOps
$180K - $270K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of software delivery by designing and managing robust systems and infrastructure, enabling rapid, safe, and reliable code deployment across diverse environments...
6 days ago
$95K - $115K *
Optimize cloud infrastructure and CI/CD pipelines while collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance software delivery and system performance. Drive automation and maintain technical documenta...
5 days ago
Staff Software Engineer - Observability
$188K - $255K *
Champion the design and evolution of high-scale logging systems, tackling mission-critical challenges in both on-premise and cloud environments. Lead initiatives that enhance observability and optimiz...
Yesterday
$90K - $108K *
Join a dynamic team to enhance aerospace testing processes through innovative design and maintenance of test systems. Collaborate across disciplines to ensure reliability and efficiency in equipment...
2 weeks ago
$90K - $108K *
Elevate aerospace testing capabilities by designing, maintaining, and optimizing test systems. Collaborate across teams to ensure reliability and efficiency in complex mechanical and electronic system...
2 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Join a team that's dedicated to optimizing product performance and reliability. Provide engineering support and problem-solving in a fast-paced production environment, focusing on root cause analysis...
3 weeks ago
$80K - $95K *
Shape the future of testing as you collaborate with teams to enhance test strategies, troubleshoot systems, and drive continuous improvement in manufacturing environments, ensuring quality and efficie...
2 weeks ago
Data Center Engineer, Reliability & Infrastructure Management - Compute Supply
$320K - $405K *
Accelerate progress at the intersection of IT and facilities by developing power models, reliability assessments, and load management strategies to optimize data center operations and enhance efficien...
2 weeks ago
Data Center Engineer, Reliability & Infrastructure Management - Compute Supply
$320K - $405K *
Empower data center efficiency by modeling power, reliability, and load management. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance infrastructure performance and ensure optimal operations across f...
2 weeks ago
Senior Infrastructure Engineer
$150K - $180K *
Champion backend infrastructure evolution by designing, implementing, and scaling distributed systems and APIs, ensuring performance and reliability for our core platform. Collaborate closely with a t...
Reposted 1 week ago
$124K - $241K *
Lead the optimization of high-performance computing operations, ensuring smooth function and user support in a dynamic environment. Collaborate with a skilled team to resolve technical issues and enha...
Reposted 4 weeks ago
$124K - $241K *
Transform the HPC landscape by delivering exceptional support in a dynamic environment. Ensure optimal performance and stability of high-performance computing systems while collaborating with innovati...
Reposted 4 weeks ago
$124K - $241K *
Tackle complex challenges in high-performance computing by providing user support, ensuring system stability, and enhancing operational processes, while collaborating with a dynamic team dedicated to...
Reposted 4 weeks ago
Software Engineer (Kubernetes Focused)
$120K - $145K *
Lead the charge in developing robust Java applications and managing Kubernetes deployments, collaborating with engineers for reliable enterprise software while guiding and mentoring teams to achieve e...
3 weeks ago
Software Engineer (Kubernetes Focused)
$110K - $130K *
Shape the future of software development by delivering robust Java applications and guiding engineering teams. Drive innovation in Kubernetes deployments and collaborate to provide high-quality enterp...
3 weeks ago
$93K - $114K *
Engineer robust applications that integrate multiple databases and systems via APIs, enhancing customer interactions and automating workflows. Drive the project from design to deployment, ensuring sec...
6 days ago
$124K - $241K *
Lead the charge in optimizing high-performance computing operations, ensuring robust support and maintenance across scheduling, compute, and storage systems while enhancing user experiences and drivin...
Reposted 4 weeks ago
$104K - $190K *
Join us to enhance operational readiness by automating software deployments and monitoring infrastructure health, all within a challenging DDIL environment. Your role will focus on securing and optimi...
4 weeks ago
$125K - $145K *
Join a team that's dedicated to enhancing aerospace manufacturing processes. Leverage your engineering expertise to support production, ensure quality, and drive continuous improvement in composite pr...
Reposted 4 days ago
Software Engineer, Site Reliability
$142K - $196K *
Unlock potential by enhancing system reliability and observability for resilient production environments. Collaborate across teams to develop automation and tooling that improves incident response, op...
4 weeks ago
Senior Technical Program Manager, ECU Reliability & Durability Validation
$120K - $145K *
Drive R&D validation programs ensuring ECU reliability & durability across platforms. Coordinate with engineers & labs, track execution, surface risks, and deliver clear visibility to stakeholders for...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$140K - $170K *
Transform the future of aerospace by leading systems engineering for spacecraft, ensuring seamless integration and performance across multiple disciplines while managing technical risks and program re...
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.