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Performance Engineer Jobs in Washington, DC (NOW HIRING)

Cogent People Inc

Performance Engineer

Columbia, MD · On-site

The Performance Engineer will work closely with cross-functional teams to identify performance risks, evaluate system behavior, and support delivery efforts in compliance with CMS standards and ...

Cogent People Inc

Performance Engineer

Columbia, MD · On-site +1

The Performance Engineer will work closely with cross-functional teams to identify performance risks, evaluate system behavior, and support delivery efforts in compliance with CMS standards and ...

USM

Performance Engineer

Washington, DC · On-site

Performance Engineer Location: Washington, DC Contract Length: 10 months + Must have Top Skills: JMeter, Appian experience, Bean Shell Scripting, Jira, SQL- Java or Groovy would be a nice to have.

Apex Systems

QA Performance Engineer

Merrifield, VA · On-site

Job#: 3041411 QA Performance Engineer Location: Merrifield, Virginia (Hybrid) Role Overview As a Performance Test Engineer, you will be responsible for executing end-to-end performance testing ...

Cymertek

HPC Cloud Performance Engineer

Reston, VA · On-site

$58 - $77.75/hr

HPC Cloud Performance Engineer LOCATION Reston, VA 20190 CLEARANCE TS/SCI Full Poly (Please note this position requires full U.S. Citizenship) KEY SUMMARY We are seeking a skilled and motivated HPC ...

Cymertek

HPC Cloud Performance Engineer

Chantilly, VA · On-site

$57.50 - $77/hr

HPC Cloud Performance Engineer LOCATION Chantilly, VA 20151 CLEARANCE TS/SCI Full Poly (Please note this position requires full U.S. Citizenship) KEY SUMMARY We are seeking a skilled and motivated ...

Secunetics, Inc

Network Performance Engineer

Reston, VA · On-site

We are looking for a Network Performance Engineer to interface with our team and our clients to help assess the performance of IT infrastructures, establish baselines, and identify opportunities for ...

Secunetics

Network Performance Engineer

Washington, DC · On-site

We are looking for a Network Performance Engineer to interface with our team and our clients to help assess the performance of IT infrastructures, establish baselines, and identify opportunities for ...

Cymertek

HPC Cloud Performance Engineer

Tysons, VA · On-site

$56 - $74.75/hr

HPC Cloud Performance Engineer LOCATION Tysons, VA 22182 CLEARANCE TS/SCI Full Poly (Please note this position requires full U.S. Citizenship) KEY SUMMARY We are seeking a skilled and motivated HPC ...

Secunetics, Inc

Network Performance Engineer

Reston, VA · On-site

We are looking for aNetwork Performance Engineer to interface with our team and our clients to help assess the performance of IT infrastructures, establish baselines, and identify opportunities for ...

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All JobsPerformance Engineer JobsPerformance Engineer Jobs in Washington, DC

Performance Engineer information

See Washington, DC salary details

$12

$68

$111

How much do performance engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 14, 2026, the average hourly pay for performance engineer in Washington, DC is $68.08, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $55.82 and $77.07 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 Washington, DC? The most popular types of Performance Engineer jobs in Washington, DC are:
What are popular job titles related to Performance Engineer jobs in Washington, DC? For Performance Engineer jobs in Washington, DC, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Performance Engineer jobs in Washington, DC look for? The top searched job categories for Performance Engineer jobs in Washington, DC are:
Performance Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Performance Engineer job openings in Washington, DC as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, 8% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $141,607 per year, or $68.1 per hour.
Performance Engineer

Performance Engineer

Cogent People Inc

Columbia, MD • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 6 days ago

Job description

Employment Type: Full-time, W2 position with Cogent People Inc. This is a direct hire position with full benefits.
Location: Hybrid Columbia MD 3 times a week OR Remote (as applicable to role)
Work Authorization Requirements
To comply with government contracting requirements, candidates must meet all of the following:
  • Must be a U.S. Citizen, Permanent Resident, or valid EAD holder
  • Must have lived in the United States for at least 3 of the past 5 years
  • Must be currently authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship

Sponsorship (H-1B) is not available for this position (now or in the future).
Candidates who do not meet these requirements will not be considered.
Clearance Requirement
Public Trust required or ability to obtain, depending on assignment.
About Cogent People Inc.
Cogent People Inc. is a government consulting and technology services firm supporting mission-critical federal and commercial programs. We deliver secure, scalable, and modern digital solutions across complex IT environments.
Our teams thrive at the intersection of engineering excellence and mission impact, building systems that matter.
Job Overview
Cogent People Inc. is seeking a Performance Engineer to support a government program delivery. This role is responsible for developing and executing performance engineering strategies that ensure systems meet scalability, reliability, and performance expectations while aligning with business goals, user needs, and technical requirements. The Performance Engineer will work closely with cross-functional teams to identify performance risks, evaluate system behavior, and support delivery efforts in compliance with CMS standards and program requirements. This position may be contingent upon contract award.
Requirements
What You'll Do
  • Design and execute performance, load, and scalability testing activities.
  • Analyze system performance results and identify performance bottlenecks and areas for improvement.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including technical and business stakeholders, to support performance objectives.
  • Support delivery efforts aligned with CMS standards and program requirements.
  • Monitor and assess application and system performance throughout the development lifecycle.
  • Contribute to documentation, reporting, and quality assurance activities.
  • Identify opportunities for process improvements and increased operational efficiency.
  • Ensure compliance, quality, and documentation standards are maintained.

What We're Looking For
  • Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent experience.
  • 8+ years of relevant experience in performance engineering, performance testing, or related technical roles.
  • Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
  • Experience supporting enterprise-scale or regulated environments.
  • Ability to collaborate effectively across cross-functional teams.

What Will Set You Apart
  • Relevant certifications.
  • Experience supporting federal programs.
  • Knowledge of Agile and DevSecOps methodologies.
  • Experience supporting CMS or healthcare environments.

Why Cogent People Inc.?
At Cogent People, we combine technical excellence with a mission-driven culture. Our teams work on meaningful, high-impact projects that support government and enterprise transformation initiatives.
We offer:
  • Competitive compensation
  • Career growth and professional development opportunities
  • Exposure to complex, mission-critical systems
  • A collaborative and supportive team environment
  • Long-term client engagements with stability and continuity

We are a Certified Great Place to Work, committed to building an inclusive and high-performance culture.
Benefits
  • Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance (comprehensive coverage)
  • 401(k) with company match
  • Company-paid life insurance
  • Short-term and long-term disability coverage
  • Paid Time Off: 3 weeks annually + 10 paid holidays
  • Employee assistance and wellness resources (as applicable)

Compliance Notice
Cogent People Inc. conducts employment verification for all candidates. Misrepresentation of work authorization, residency history, or professional experience will result in disqualification.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer (EEO) and evaluate all applicants based on qualifications, experience, and role requirements.
We do not engage third-party recruiters for this role unless explicitly stated.

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