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Performance Engineer Jobs in Ashburn, VA (NOW HIRING)

Experience with database performance validation and large-scale data warehouse or data lake environments. * Knowledge of scripting, programming, or query languages such as JavaScript, Java, Groovy ...

AI/ML Engineer II

Mclean, VA · On-site

$120 - $160/hr

Collaborate with data engineering and backend teams to integrate ML capabilities into scalable ... Implement evaluation workflows tied to measurable mission performance (accuracy, latency ...

Agentic AI Engineer

Bethesda, MD · On-site

$99 - $225/hr

The Opportunity We are looking for a highly skilled Agentic AI Engineer to join our team ... Develop evaluation frameworks to test agent reliability, safety, and performance, moving from ...

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Performance Engineer information

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$100

How much do performance engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for performance engineer in Ashburn, VA is $61.46, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $50.38 and $69.57 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 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 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.

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.

How much do performance engineers make in the US?

Performance engineers in the US typically earn between $80,000 and $130,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and industry. Senior roles or those with specialized skills in tools like JMeter or LoadRunner can command higher salaries, often exceeding $150,000.

What are the most commonly searched types of Performance Engineer jobs in Ashburn, VA?

The most popular types of Performance Engineer jobs in Ashburn, VA are:

What are popular job titles related to Performance Engineer jobs in Ashburn, VA?

For Performance Engineer jobs in Ashburn, VA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Performance Engineer jobs in Ashburn, VA look for?

The top searched job categories for Performance Engineer jobs in Ashburn, VA are:

Infographic showing various Performance Engineer job openings in Ashburn, VA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 81% Full Time, 17% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 72% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 26% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $127,845 per year, or $61.5 per hour.

Sr. Performance Test Engineer

CYNET SYSTEMS

Reston, VA • On-site

$69 - $74/hr

Contractor

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Posted 26 days ago


Job description

Job Overview:
Pay Range: $69.24hr - $74.24hr
Requirement/Must Have:
  • Bachelor's Degree in Information Technology or Computer Science.
  • In lieu of a Bachelor's degree, an additional 4 years of relevant work experience is required.
  • 5+ years of experience in performance testing, resiliency testing, performance engineering, or quality engineering for enterprise applications.
  • Hands-on experience with workload modeling, performance test design, resiliency test scenarios, and failover validation.
  • Experience with test execution, monitoring, bottleneck analysis, recovery analysis, and results reporting.
  • Experience with NeoLoad or similar performance testing tools.
  • Experience with CI/CD performance test automation and cloud platforms such as AWS.
  • Experience with database performance validation and large-scale data warehouse or data lake environments.
  • Knowledge of scripting, programming, or query languages such as JavaScript, Java, Groovy, Python, SQL, or shell scripting.
  • Knowledge of cloud technologies with emphasis on AWS-native applications, cloud scalability, and auto-scaling behavior.
  • Knowledge of database technologies including Oracle, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, and ETL/ELT pipelines.
  • Understanding of performance testing lifecycle, SDLC, Agile delivery, and non-functional requirements validation.
Responsibilities:
  • Develop and execute end-to-end performance test strategies for enterprise applications, AWS-native applications, APIs, microservices, and data platforms.
  • Define performance objectives, workload models, test data needs, test schedules, and entry and exit criteria.
  • Design and execute load, stress, endurance, scalability, resiliency, and capacity tests using NeoLoad and other enterprise tools.
  • Automate performance test execution within CI/CD pipelines to support repeatable validation and release readiness.
  • Analyze performance and resiliency test results across application, database, middleware, network, cloud, and infrastructure layers.
  • Monitor key metrics such as response time, throughput, transaction volume, CPU, memory, I/O, and service degradation patterns.
  • Identify bottlenecks, resiliency gaps, and performance risks to provide actionable recommendations to stakeholders.
  • Support performance engineering for cloud modernization, data platform migrations, and high-volume processing solutions.
  • Partner with architecture and engineering teams to recommend tuning opportunities and capacity improvements.
  • Lead defect triage and root-cause analysis for performance issues and support production incident analysis.
  • Establish performance baselines, dashboards, and reporting standards.
  • Mentor team members on performance testing best practices, NeoLoad scripting, and cloud observability.
Skills:
  • NeoLoad.
  • AWS.
  • Performance Engineering.
  • Resiliency Testing.
  • CI/CD Automation.
  • Workload Modeling.
  • PostgreSQL.
  • Data Warehouse.
  • Data Lake.
  • API Testing.
  • Microservices.
  • JavaScript.
  • Java.
  • Python.
  • SQL.
  • Shell Scripting.
  • Cloud Observability.
Qualification And Education:
  • Ability to communicate technical requirements to all levels of expertise.
  • Proficient in establishing and maintaining good working relationships.
  • Excellent communication and presentation skills.
  • Strong experience with cloud monitoring tools and continuous delivery processes.
  • Knowledge of code quality and promotion practices.

Benefits
 
Our Benefits Include:
  • Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
  • 401(k) Retirement Plan
  • Health Savings Account (HSA)
  • Disability Insurance (Short-Term and Long-Term)
  • Life and AD&D Insurance
  • Paid Sick Leave (where required by applicable state or local law)
  • Supplemental Insurance Plans
  • Identity Theft Protection
  • Pet Insurance
  • Employee Wellness Programs
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
  • Career Growth and Professional Development Opportunities
Disclaimer: Benefits eligibility, accrual rates, and usage limits may vary based on employment status, length of service, and work location. Paid Sick Leave is provided in strict accordance with applicable state and municipal mandates. Cynet Systems Inc. reserves the right to modify, amend, or terminate any benefit plans at any time in accordance with applicable laws.

About Cynet Systems

Founded in 2010 and headquartered in the Washington, DC metro area, Cynet Systems Inc. is a leading technology staffing and workforce solutions company serving Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, and enterprise organizations across the United States and Canada. We deliver agile, scalable talent solutions across IT, engineering, life sciences, clinical, and professional staffing, powered by a high-performing recruitment engine operating across North America and Asia.
As a nationally and locally certified Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), Cynet Systems is committed to helping organizations build high-performing teams while empowering professionals to grow rewarding careers. Our organization is certified to ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 27001, and SOC 2 Type II standards, reflecting our commitment to quality, security, operational excellence, and customer success.

Cynet Systems logo

About Cynet Systems

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Cynet Systems Inc is a staffing and recruiting corporation nestled in Ashburn, VA, USA. Established in 2010, the company operates within the Information Technology and Services sector, specializing in providing effective workforce solutions to different business needs, including IT consulting, direct hire, and contract staffing services. Through the years, Cynet Systems has built an impressive portfolio, going beyond borders and expanding its operations internationally in Canada and India. Rooted in its core values of teamwork, leadership, and commitment, Cynet Systems helps businesses unlock their full potential by providing versatile and competent professionals that perfectly align with their needs. Fueled by their unwavering mission to deliver top-tier talent to businesses worldwide, Cynet Systems garnered various recognitions including SIA's fastest-growing staffing firms and Best Place to Work in Virginia for 2019.

Industry

It services

Company size

501 - 1,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Sterling, VA, US

Year founded

2010

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