Performance Engineer Jobs in Atlanta, GA (NOW HIRING)

Description

U.S. Soccer Overview

The U.S. Soccer Federation exists in service to soccer. Our aim is to ignite a national passion for the game. Because we believe that soccer is more than a sport; it is a force for good.

We understand the importance and the power of teamwork, on and off the pitch. That is why we work closely with our Federation partners and members, to inspire, support and guide every level of the game: from the grassroots to the National Teams. We want to bring soccer into every home and every community, right across America. Because we believe that soccer can transform lives like no other sport. Soccer can represent the best of U.S.

U.S. Soccer is in a period of significant growth, with ambitious plans for U.S. Soccer in the near and far future. We are, therefore, looking for dynamic servant leaders to join us on this journey: in service to soccer. Applicants must be able to demonstrate visionary leadership, analytical decision-making, professional flexibility, and an empathic management style that builds bold teams and delivers globally significant results.

Position Description

The Senior Performance Therapist is a leader within U.S. Soccer's Integrated Performance Support (IPS) department, supporting Youth and Extended National Teams and advancing an integrated model of development, health & wellbeing, and performance.

This role is responsible for delivering world-class performance physical therapy services while leading the design and implementation of criteria-based return-to-performance (RTP) systems, supporting longitudinal athlete health strategies, and integrating performance medicine with performance science, strength & conditioning, performance nutrition, analytics, and innovation.

The Senior Performance Therapist will play a critical role in developing scalable systems and best practices for the National Training Center, ensuring that athlete care is collaborative, data-informed, and aligned with U.S. Soccer's long-term player development philosophy.

In addition to direct athlete care, this position will mentor staff, contribute to interdisciplinary decision-making, and help establish Integrated Performance Support as a world-class model for performance preservation, and continuous innovation.

Primary Responsibilities

Performance Therapy & Athlete Care

• Deliver comprehensive performance therapy services across Youth National Team and Extended National Team camps, training environments, and competitions.
• Lead injury assessment, manual therapy interventions, rehabilitation/reconditioning planning, and progressive return-to-performance programming.
• Develop and implement individualized injury prevention and movement optimization strategies.
• Collaborate with Integrated Performance Support staff to optimize athlete readiness, availability, and long-term development.
• Support continuity of care across club and national team environments.

Return-to-Performance Leadership

• Lead the design, implementation, and continuous refinement of criteria-based return-to-performance (RTP) frameworks.
• Establish standardized rehabilitation and RTP processes across Youth National Team environments.
• Integrate objective testing, movement quality, strength diagnostics, load tolerance, and athlete readiness into RTP decision-making.
• Develop decision-making frameworks that promote consistency, transparency, and athlete-centered progression.
• Continuously evaluate and improve RTP systems using current evidence and organizational data.

Integrated Performance Support Leadership

• Serve as a collaborative leader within the Integrated Performance Support (IPS) department.
• Foster interdisciplinary collaboration across performance medicine, performance science, strength & conditioning, performance nutrition, analytics, coaching, and innovation.
• Develop shared mental models, communication standards, and integrated decision-making processes that improve athlete care.
• Contribute to the development of scalable systems and best practices that support all National Team environments.
• Champion a culture of collaboration, curiosity, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Performance Science Integration & Innovation

• Integrate performance science into daily clinical practice and reconditioning planning.
• Utilize the VALD performance technology suite and other athlete monitoring systems to inform reconditioning progressions and return-to-performance decisions.
• Translate force, movement, neuromuscular, and load data into actionable clinical interventions.
• Partner with Performance Science staff to develop testing protocols, athlete profiling strategies, and evidence-informed practices.
• Support innovation initiatives that improve athlete care, decision-making, and organizational capability.

Longitudinal Athlete Health & Analytics

• Support longitudinal injury surveillance and availability tracking.
• Analyze injury trends, recurrence rates, workload patterns, and availability metrics to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Develop reporting and insights that inform integrated planning and athlete management.
• Support long-term athlete development through data-informed recommendations and proactive intervention strategies.

Leadership & Staff Development

• Mentor and develop therapists, athletic trainers, interns, and other clinical support staff.
• Foster interdisciplinary learning and knowledge sharing across the department.
• Support onboarding, education, and professional development initiatives.
• Contribute to building a high-performing team culture grounded in teamwork, innovation, and continuous improvement.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

• Licensed Physical Therapist (PT) with active Georgia licensure or ability to obtain licensure prior to employment.
• Elite sport experience required, including professional, Olympic, academy, or national team environments.
• Demonstrated expertise in:
  • Rehabilitation and soccer-specific return-to-performance programming
  • Criteria-based RTP system design and implementation
  • Evidence-informed diagnostics, injury prevention and load management strategies
  • Manual therapy and therapeutic exercise and prescription
• Strong experience integrating performance science into clinical decision-making.
• Working knowledge of the VALD performance technology suite (ForceDecks, ForceFrame, Dynamo, SmartSpeed, HumanTrak or similar technologies) and the ability to translate objective performance data into athlete care strategies.
• Experience working within multidisciplinary Integrated Performance environments.
• Capable of working in fast-paced and demanding environments.
• Must be able to connect "micro" details to the "macro" vision and mission.
• Proficient experience with Microsoft Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Outlook).

Desired Qualifications

• Experience supporting elite soccer athletes within professional clubs, academies, or national team environments.
• Experience working with youth elite athletes and an understanding of growth, maturation, and long-term athlete development principles.
• Experience designing systems, processes, and operating standards across multiple teams or performance environments.

U.S. Soccer offers a comprehensive compensation package, casual work environment, an inclusive culture, and an atmosphere for professional development.

U.S. Soccer is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, citizenship, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, genetic information, military status, political belief, or any other characteristic protected under the law. This policy applies to all our employment practices within our organization. We strongly encourage women, people of color, LGBTQIA, veterans, parents, and persons with disabilities to apply.