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Performance Engineer Jobs in Boston, MA (NOW HIRING)

Zoox

Senior Software Engineer - Performance

Boston, MA · On-site

$217K - $307K/yr

As a performance software engineer within the Software Core Performance team, you will instrument, monitor, analyze, and optimize performance-critical algorithms. Your broad experience in developing ...

Zoox

Software Engineer - C++ GPU Performance

Boston, MA · On-site

$168K - $239K/yr

As a GPU performance software engineer within the Software Performance team, you will instrument, monitor, analyze and optimize GPU-based algorithms that are performance-critical for our solution.

Zoox

Software Engineer - C++ GPU Performance

Boston, MA · On-site

$152K/yr

As a GPU performance software engineer within the Software Performance team, you will instrument, monitor, analyze and optimize GPU-based algorithms that are performance-critical for our solution.

Zoox

Software Engineer - C++ GPU Performance

Boston, MA

$168K - $239K/yr

As a GPU performance software engineer within the Software Performance team, you will instrument, monitor, analyze and optimize GPU-based algorithms that are performance-critical for our solution.

Nexamp

Solar Protection & Controls Engineer

Boston, MA · On-site

$90K - $117K/yr

Nexamp is seeking an Solar Protection & Controls Engineer (Electrical Performance Engineer) who will be a deep technical independent contributor responsible for improving the reliability ...

Nexamp

Solar Protection & Controls Engineer

Boston, MA · Hybrid

$90K - $117K/yr

Nexamp is seeking an Solar Protection & Controls Engineer (Electrical Performance Engineer) who will be a deep technical independent contributor responsible for improving the reliability ...

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All JobsPerformance Engineer JobsPerformance Engineer Jobs in Boston, MA

Performance Engineer information

See Boston, MA salary details

$12

$65

$106

How much do performance engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 15, 2026, the average hourly pay for performance engineer in Boston, MA is $65.30, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $53.56 and $73.89 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What engineer makes $500,000 a year?

Performance engineers or senior software engineers with extensive experience, specialized skills, and certifications can earn salaries approaching or exceeding $500,000 annually, especially in high-cost living areas or at top tech companies. Such roles often require expertise in performance optimization, large-scale systems, and advanced tools, along with leadership responsibilities.

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 is the work of performance engineer?

A performance engineer is responsible for analyzing, testing, and optimizing software and system performance to ensure reliability and efficiency. They use tools like load testing and monitoring software to identify bottlenecks and improve system scalability, often working closely with development and operations teams.

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 $300,000 a year?

Performance engineers, especially those with extensive experience, advanced skills in testing, automation, and performance tuning, can earn $300,000 or more annually in senior or specialized roles. High compensation often requires expertise with tools like LoadRunner or JMeter, relevant certifications, and work in competitive industries such as finance or technology. Salary levels vary based on location, company size, and individual expertise.

What do performance engineers do?

Performance engineers analyze and optimize software systems to ensure they meet performance requirements, such as speed, scalability, and stability. They use tools like load testing and monitoring software to identify bottlenecks and improve system efficiency, 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 Boston, MA? The most popular types of Performance Engineer jobs in Boston, MA are:
What are popular job titles related to Performance Engineer jobs in Boston, MA? For Performance Engineer jobs in Boston, MA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Performance Engineer jobs in Boston, MA look for? The top searched job categories for Performance Engineer jobs in Boston, MA are:
Performance Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Performance Engineer job openings in Boston, MA as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 97% Full Time, 1% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $135,820 per year, or $65.3 per hour.
High Performance Computing Engineer

High Performance Computing Engineer

Harvard University

Boston, MA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 23 days ago

Harvard University rating

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 7 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

130th of 537 rated colleges and universities

Job description

Company Description
By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's world-changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive.
Why join Harvard Medical School?
Harvard Medical School's mission is to nurture a diverse, inclusive community dedicated to alleviating suffering and improving health and well-being for all through excellence in teaching and learning, discovery and scholarship, and service and leadership.
You'll be at the heart of biomedical discovery, education, and innovation, working alongside world-renowned faculty and a community dedicated to improving human health. This is more than a job - it's an opportunity to shape the future of medicine.
Job Description
As a High-Performance Computing (HPC) Engineer, you will support the implementation, operation, and lifecycle management of secure and scalable HPC environments that enable computational research across HMS. Working as part of the Research Computing Infrastructure team, you will contribute to the provisioning and administration of compute clusters, workload scheduling systems such as Slurm, user-facing software environments, and secure platforms that meet institutional compliance needs. This role emphasizes hands-on technical execution, operational reliability, and collaboration with colleagues and researchers to support evolving HPC workflows and infrastructure.
Core Duties:
  • Perform provisioning, configuration, and decommissioning of HPC compute clusters.
  • Support the administration and tuning of workload schedulers (e.g., Slurm) to ensure efficient job management and cluster utilization.
  • Help maintain secure, regulated compute environments (e.g., NIST 800-171).
  • Contribute to the integration of user accounts and identity management with institutional systems.
  • Maintain and optimize user-facing software environments, including module systems and containerized applications.
  • Support development and maintenance of scripts, automation, and tools used in cluster operations.
  • Monitor system health, respond to alerts, and assist with compliance reporting and documentation.
  • Collaborate with team members and researchers to troubleshoot and improve the computing environment.
  • Contribute to operational documentation and support knowledge-sharing across the team.
  • Participate in off-hours on-call rotation.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications
Basic Qualifications:
  • Minimum of two years' post-secondary education or relevant work experience.

Additional Qualifications and Skills:
  • Bachelor's degree preferred.
  • Experience managing Linux-based systems in a research or academic environment.
  • Familiarity with workload schedulers (Slurm preferred), cluster provisioning, or performance tuning.
  • Experience with infrastructure monitoring, configuration management (e.g., Ansible), and containerization (e.g., Apptainer/Singularity, Docker).
  • Understanding of security and compliance frameworks relevant to research computing.
  • Strong troubleshooting, communication, and collaboration skills.
  • Ability to work in a team-oriented environment and adapt to evolving priorities.
  • Demonstrated service orientation and commitment to operational reliability.
  • Willingness to learn and grow technical depth in HPC tools and methodologies.
  • Effective time management and documentation habits.

Certificates and Licenses:
  • Completion of Harvard IT Academy specified foundational courses (or external equivalent) preferred.

Additional Information
  • Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 hours per week
  • Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position.
  • Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Criminal
  • Staying Informed About Your Application: Due to the high volume of applications, we may not always be able to reach out right away, but you can track your status anytime through the Careers@Harvard portal.

#LI-DK1
Work Format Details
This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that some of the duties and responsibilities can be effectively performed at a non-Harvard location. The work schedule and location will be set by the department at its discretion and based upon operational needs. When not working at a Harvard or Harvard-designated location, employees in hybrid positions must work in a Harvard registered state in compliance with the University's Policy on Employment Outside of Massachusetts. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.
Salary Grade and Ranges
This position is salary grade level 057. Please visit Harvard's Salary Ranges to view the corresponding salary range and related information.
Benefits
Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed to support a healthy work-life balance and your physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Because here, you are what matters. Our benefits include, but are not limited to:
  • Generous paid time off including parental leave
  • Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one
  • Retirement plans with university contributions
  • Wellbeing and mental health resources
  • Support for families and caregivers
  • Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement
  • Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks

Learn more about these and additional benefits on our Benefits & Wellbeing Page.
EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement
Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard's academic purposes.
Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university's non-discrimination policy. Harvard's equal employment opportunity policy and non-discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.

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