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.
$227K - $338K *
Take ownership of the architecture and engineering direction for an enterprise AI agent platform, driving hands-on development and mentoring engineers to deliver scalable, cloud-native solutions for F...
3 days ago
$110K - $120K *
Lead the charge in quality engineering for critical assessment platforms, driving testing excellence and automation maturity. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure reliability and scalabil...
1 week ago
Senior Forward Deployed Engineer
$120K - $145K *
Shape the future of customer relationships by driving value and retention for large organizations, collaborating closely with sales and product teams to ensure success and growth through data-driven i...
3 weeks ago
$139K - $168K *
Oversee product complaint investigations and ensure compliance with FDA regulations and ISO standards. Collaborate with teams to maintain quality practices and perform data analysis to support product...
4 days ago
$110K - $130K *
Analyze technology solutions and system configurations to guide decision-making for a key defense initiative. Collaborate with stakeholders, conduct assessments, and ensure effective system integratio...
3 weeks ago
$120K - $145K *
Shape the future of technical solutions by guiding them from concept to deployment. Collaborate across teams to define requirements, lead system design, and resolve complex integration challenges thro...
5 days ago
$160K - $200K *
Empower the future of telecommunications by architecting and developing 5G Core Network functions. Collaborate on high-impact projects, leveraging your expertise in 3GPP protocols and distributed syst...
2 weeks ago
$74K - $104K *
Join a team that's dedicated to optimizing manufacturing processes and enhancing production efficiency. As a Process Engineer, you'll lead projects, troubleshoot issues, and collaborate with cross-fun...
5 days ago
$110K - $125K *
Unlock potential by overseeing the development and testing of DC-DC power products while ensuring production goals are met through effective troubleshooting and analysis. Collaborate with teams to enh...
3 weeks ago
$95K - $115K *
Elevate your career by managing and optimizing critical systems. Leverage your Linux expertise and automation skills to enhance network performance and security while mentoring a dynamic team in a mis...
1 week ago
Senior Forward Deployed Engineer, AWS Forward Deployed Engineering
$184K - $250K *
Lead the design and deployment of AI systems, collaborating with enterprise customers to drive technical strategy and operational excellence. Own end-to-end outcomes while mentoring teams and scaling...
6 days ago
Senior Forward Deployed Engineer, AWS Forward Deployed Engineering
$184K - $250K *
Transform enterprise AI capabilities by embedding with customer teams to design, build, and deploy scalable AI systems. Drive innovation and operational excellence while mentoring engineers and enhanc...
6 days ago
$80K - $110K *
Transform critical automation platforms by ensuring their reliability, scalability, and performance. Collaborate with development teams to enhance system stability and drive operational excellence acr...
Reposted 2 days ago
Senior Software Engineer: Systems Engineer
$500K+*
Drive innovation by leading full-stack development for advanced imaging systems. Collaborate with scientists to integrate hardware and software solutions in challenging environments, enhancing data co...
6 days ago
Senior Electrical Engineer - Special Programs
$110K - $130K *
Engage with us to design and test innovative electrical systems for complex autonomous platforms. Collaborate with a dynamic team to tackle technical challenges in power management, embedded systems...
2 weeks ago
Staff Product Manager - Observability
$138K - $165K *
Lead the charge in enhancing observability for distributed training across Lambda's cloud. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver insights on GPU performance, enabling customer confidence...
Reposted 5 days ago
Staff Product Manager - Observability
$150K - $180K *
Champion observability across cloud products by defining strategies for GPU health, telemetry, and platform reliability while collaborating with SRE and engineering teams. Drive product insights and e...
Reposted 5 days ago
Site Reliability Engineer, Apple Data Platform
$120K - $145K *
Optimize our multi-cloud data platform by ensuring reliability and performance. Collaborate with internal teams to support big data technologies and enhance customer success through effective incident...
Yesterday
$85K - $100K *
Unlock potential by collaborating on innovative software solutions and model-based engineering processes. Join a dynamic team focused on critical defense initiatives that leverage AI to enhance system...
3 weeks ago
$85K - $100K *
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance software engineering and model-based systems capabilities, focusing on Java development and AI-assisted workflows in a dynamic environment supporting...
3 weeks ago
Associate Director, Performance Engineering
$135K - $145K *
Elevate your career by overseeing technical operations and project management for battery energy storage systems. Drive cross-functional initiatives, mentor teams, and lead strategic improvements to o...
3 weeks ago
Software Engineer 2 (Kernel Development)
$110K - $218K *
Innovate in kernel-level systems by developing and enhancing AHV features, ensuring reliability, performance, and security while collaborating with open-source communities and utilizing C/Golang/Rust...
4 weeks ago
Senior Hardware Reliability Engineer
$182K - $231K *
Drive vehicle-level reliability testing and hardware issue resolution, managing a dedicated test fleet and executing durability tests. Collaborate across engineering teams to ensure corrective actions...
4 days ago
$95K - $115K *
Lead innovative automation engineering projects, integrating complex systems and ensuring client satisfaction through expert design, testing, and implementation. Collaborate with a diverse team to tac...
Today
$150K - $190K *
Unlock potential by leading the integration and validation of advanced plasma-based sensing systems. Collaborate across disciplines to shape technical documentation and drive system performance in a f...
2 weeks 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.