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Performance Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Intel

GPU Performance Engineer

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$141K - $269K/yr

... performance bottleneck identification. You will be working with a group of HW and SW architects, designers/developers in a multi-disciplinary environment. Qualifications: You must possess the below ...

Intel

GPU Performance Engineer

Folsom, CA · On-site

$141K - $269K/yr

... performance bottleneck identification. You will be working with a group of HW and SW architects, designers/developers in a multi-disciplinary environment. Qualifications: You must possess the below ...

CoreWeave

GPU Performance Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA

$120K - $160K/yr

Adapt and extend open source tooling to enhance visibility into system metrics, performance, and health * Participate in an on-call rotation Who You Are: * 2-5 years of software engineering ...

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Experis

Tire-Vehicle Performance Engineer II

Valencia, CA · On-site

As a Tire‑Vehicle Performance Engineer II, you will be part of the Race Engineering & Vehicle Performance Department , supporting tire development, vehicle dynamics, simulation, and race operations ...

New

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Wise Skulls

Android Performance Engineer

Cupertino, CA · On-site

Android Performance Engineer Location: Cupertino, CA (On-site) Duration: 6 months (possibility of extension) Implementation Partner: Infosys End Client: To be disclosed JD: We're looking for a Senior ...

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All JobsPerformance Engineer JobsPerformance Engineer Jobs in California

Performance Engineer information

See California salary details

$10

$59

$96

How much do performance engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 2, 2026, the average hourly pay for performance engineer in California is $59.32, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $48.65 and $67.12 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Performance Engineer vs Software Test Engineer?

AspectPerformance EngineerSoftware Test Engineer
Primary FocusOptimizing system performance, load testing, scalabilityFunctional testing, bug identification, feature validation
Required SkillsPerformance testing tools, scripting, system analysisTest case design, automation, defect tracking
Work EnvironmentDevelopment teams, QA, DevOpsQA teams, development teams
CertificationsPerformance testing certifications (e.g., JMeter, LoadRunner)ISTQB, software testing certifications

Performance Engineers focus on system performance, scalability, and load testing, ensuring applications run efficiently under stress. Software Test Engineers primarily verify functionality and identify bugs. While both roles require testing skills, Performance Engineers specialize in performance metrics and optimization, making their roles complementary but distinct.

What jobs make $1,000,000 per year?

Performance engineers typically do not earn $1,000,000 annually; such high salaries are more common in executive roles, successful entrepreneurs, or highly specialized positions in finance, technology, or consulting. Top-tier executives, founders, and certain investment professionals can reach or exceed this income level, often through bonuses, stock options, or profit sharing. Performance engineering roles generally offer competitive salaries but rarely reach the million-dollar mark without additional compensation components or equity.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Performance Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Performance Engineer, you need strong analytical abilities, a solid understanding of software architecture, and experience with load testing and profiling, often supported by a degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with tools such as JMeter, LoadRunner, New Relic, and monitoring systems, as well as scripting languages, is typically required. Excellent problem-solving, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help distinguish top performers in this role. These skills and qualities are crucial for identifying system bottlenecks, optimizing performance, and ensuring a seamless user experience.

What engineers make $500,000 a year?

Performance engineers, especially those in senior or specialized roles with extensive experience, advanced skills in testing and optimization, and certifications, can earn salaries approaching or exceeding $500,000 annually. Such compensation often includes bonuses, stock options, or profit sharing, particularly in high-demand industries like technology and finance. Achieving this level typically requires a combination of technical expertise, leadership, and a track record of delivering significant performance improvements.

What engineers make 200,000 a year?

Performance engineers, along with software engineers, data engineers, and certain specialized roles in technology companies, can earn $200,000 or more annually, especially with experience, advanced skills, and certifications. High salaries are often associated with senior positions, leadership roles, or those working in competitive tech markets and industries requiring expertise in performance optimization, cloud infrastructure, or large-scale systems.

What do performance engineers do?

Performance engineers analyze and optimize the speed, scalability, and reliability of software systems. They use tools like load testing and monitoring to identify bottlenecks and ensure applications meet performance requirements, often working closely with development and QA teams. Strong knowledge of scripting, performance testing tools, and system architecture is essential for this role.

What is a Performance Engineer?

A Performance Engineer is a professional who ensures that software applications and systems run efficiently and meet performance requirements. They analyze, test, and optimize system performance by identifying bottlenecks, conducting load and stress testing, and recommending improvements. Performance Engineers work closely with development and operations teams to ensure that applications can handle expected user loads and deliver a smooth user experience. Their work is crucial in preventing slowdowns, crashes, and other performance-related issues in production environments.

What Is Performance Engineering?

Performance engineering is the development of software solutions for specific business problems. As a performance engineer, your responsibilities are to identify issues, whether for a particular company or an industry, and develop software that directly addresses them. To become a performance engineer, you need a bachelor’s degree in computer science or computer engineering, two to five years of information technology (IT) work experience, and excellent problem solving skills. Organizations like HyPerformix offer professional certifications, like their Enterprise Performance Engineering program, which can significantly boost your qualifications. Your additional job duties include performing routine maintenance and service, experimenting with possible solutions in the test environment, and monitoring system performance.

What are some common challenges Performance Engineers face when optimizing complex systems?

Performance Engineers often encounter challenges such as identifying bottlenecks in multi-tiered or distributed systems, balancing trade-offs between speed and resource consumption, and ensuring that performance improvements do not compromise system reliability. They frequently work with cross-functional teams, requiring strong communication skills to translate technical findings into actionable recommendations. Staying up-to-date with evolving tools and best practices is also essential, as technology stacks and performance benchmarks continually change.
More about Performance Engineer jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Performance Engineer jobs in California? The most popular types of Performance Engineer jobs in California are:
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What job categories do people searching Performance Engineer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Performance Engineer jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Performance Engineer jobs? Cities in California with the most Performance Engineer job openings:
What are popular job titles related to Performance Engineer jobs in CA? For Performance Engineer jobs in CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Performance Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Performance Engineer job openings in California as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 84% Full Time, 13% Part Time, and 3% Temporary. Highlights an 88% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $123,381 per year, or $59.3 per hour.
GPU Performance Engineer

GPU Performance Engineer

Intel

Santa Clara, CA • On-site

$141K - $269K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Posted 29 days ago

Intel rating

8.7

Company rating: 8.7 out of 10

Based on 144 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

11th of 141 rated electronics manufacturers

Job description

Job Details:Job Description: 

As part of Intel's GPU performance team, the candidate will be working on Intel's new Graphics Processing Units and mainly focus on optimizing modern workloads to achieve the best in class performance. The key areas of focus are 3D graphics rendering techniques and algorithms, workload analysis, Hardware (HW) and Software (SW) debugs and performance bottleneck identification. You will be working with a group of HW and SW architects, designers/developers in a multi-disciplinary environment.

Qualifications:

You must possess the below minimum qualifications to be initially considered for this position. Preferred qualifications are in addition to the minimum requirements and are considered a plus factor in identifying top candidates.

Minimum qualifications:

  • Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, computer science. MSc is preferred
  • 6+ years of relevant industry experience
  • Relevant experience includes but is not limited to:
    • Proven knowledge of GPU architecture, modern APIs and rendering techniques, shaders.
    • Hands-on experience with RTL/Model based debugs
    • Experience with modern 3D games and Benchmarks
Job Type:Experienced HireShift:Shift 1 (United States of America)Primary Location: US, California, FolsomAdditional Locations:US, California, Santa ClaraBusiness group:At the Data Center Group (DCG), we're committed to delivering exceptional products and delighting our customers. We offer both broad-market Xeon-based solutions and custom x86-based products, ensuring tailored innovation for diverse needs across general-purpose compute, web services, HPC, and AI-accelerated systems. Our charter encompasses defining business strategy and roadmaps, product management, developing ecosystems and business opportunities, delivering strong financial performance, and reinvigorating x86 leadership. Join us as we transform the data center segment through workload driven leadership products and close collaboration with our partners.Posting Statement:All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, religious creed, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, military and veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, gender, gender expression, gender identity, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by local law, regulation, or ordinance.Position of TrustN/ABenefits

We offer a total compensation package that ranks among the best in the industry. It consists of competitive pay, stock bonuses, and benefit programs which include health, retirement, and vacation. Find out more about the benefits of working at Intel.

Annual Salary Range for jobs which could be performed in the US: $141,910.00-269,100.00 USDThe range displayed on this job posting reflects the minimum and maximum target compensation for the position across all US locations. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Your recruiter can share more about the specific compensation range for your preferred location during the hiring process.

Work Model for this Role

This role will be eligible for our hybrid work model which allows employees to split their time between working on-site at their assigned Intel site and off-site. * Job posting details (such as work model, location or time type) are subject to change.

*

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Intel is committed to Responsible Business Alliance (RBA) compliance and ethical hiring practices. We do not charge any fees during our hiring process. Candidates should never be required to pay recruitment fees, medical examination fees, or any other charges as a condition of employment. If you are asked to pay any fees during our hiring process, please report this immediately to your recruiter.

What Intel employees say

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Hours and flexibility

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About Intel

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Intel strives to make every facet of semiconductor manufacturing state-of-the-art -- from semiconductor process development and manufacturing, through yield improvement to packaging, final test and optimization, and world class Supply Chain and facilities support. Employees in the Technology and Manufacturing Group are part of a worldwide network of design, development, manufacturing, and assembly/test facilities, all focused on utilizing the power of Moore's Law to bring smart, connected devices to every person on Earth

Industry

Manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Santa Clara, CA, US

Year founded

1968

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