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Performance Engineering Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Meta

AI/HPC System Performance Engineer

Menlo Park, CA · On-site

$154K - $217K/yr

... Engineering team, you will drive end-to-end performance characterization, bottleneck analysis, and optimization of large-scale AI training and inference clusters. In this role, you will work at the ...

Compunnel

Performance Architect

Milpitas, CA · On-site

$194.60K/yr

This role involves designing, programming, debugging, and modifying simulation models to evaluate architectural changes, while assessing performance, power, and endurance. The architect will ...

Lemurian Labs

Senior ML Performance Engineer

Santa Clara, CA

$122.70K - $168.50K/yr

This is a high-impact role at the intersection of ML systems, GPU architecture, and performance engineering. You'll build the infrastructure that proves our compiler delivers real, measurable value ...

RadixArk

Performance Engineer

Palo Alto, CA · On-site

Required : • Strong systems engineering background, especially in performance-critical software • Experience with GPU systems, distributed systems, inference serving, ML runtimes, or high ...

Quanta Search

Senior Performance Engineer

Redwood City, CA · On-site

$127.90K - $175.70K/yr

Responsibilities As a member ofPerformance Engineering Team: * You will own defining test strategies and designing and implementing measurement and analysis tools needed in our performance studies.

RadixArk

Performance Engineer

Palo Alto, CA · On-site

Strong systems engineering background, especially in performance-critical software * Experience with GPU systems, distributed systems, inference serving, ML runtimes, or high-performance computing

Hermeus

Performance Engineer

Los Angeles, CA

In your role as a Performance Engineer, you will be responsible for analyzing, modeling, and ... Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field. * Strong ...

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Performance Engineering information

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$10

$59

$96

How much do performance engineering jobs pay per hour?

As of May 30, 2026, the average hourly pay for performance engineering 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 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, expertise in software performance testing, and a background in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with tools like JMeter, LoadRunner, APM solutions, and scripting languages is typically required, along with relevant certifications such as ISTQB Performance Testing. Exceptional problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective communication help you identify bottlenecks and collaborate with development teams. These skills are crucial for ensuring applications meet performance standards and deliver a seamless user experience.

How does a Performance Engineer typically collaborate with development and operations teams to resolve application bottlenecks?

Performance Engineers play a vital role in bridging the gap between development and operations teams. They work closely with developers to analyze application code and identify potential performance issues early in the development lifecycle. Additionally, they partner with operations teams to monitor system performance in production, interpret logs, and recommend infrastructure or configuration changes. This collaborative approach helps ensure that performance bottlenecks are identified and addressed quickly, leading to more reliable and scalable applications.

What is performance engineering?

Performance engineering is a discipline in software and systems development focused on ensuring applications and systems meet required speed, scalability, and stability standards. It involves analyzing, designing, testing, and optimizing performance throughout the software development lifecycle. Performance engineers use specialized tools and methodologies to detect bottlenecks, simulate real-world loads, and recommend improvements. Their goal is to deliver reliable, high-performing products to end users.

What is the difference between Performance Engineering vs Performance Testing?

AspectPerformance EngineeringPerformance Testing
FocusDesigning, developing, and implementing strategies to ensure system performance throughout the development lifecycleExecuting tests to measure system performance under specific conditions
ActivitiesPerformance planning, monitoring, optimization, and capacity planningLoad testing, stress testing, and benchmarking
Skills & CertificationsPerformance testing tools, scripting, monitoring, performance analysisPerformance testing tools, scripting, test execution
Work EnvironmentCollaborates with developers, architects, and operations teamsPrimarily testing teams and QA departments

Performance Engineering involves proactive strategies to optimize system performance throughout development, while Performance Testing focuses on evaluating system performance through specific tests. Both roles require similar skills but differ in scope and objectives, with Performance Engineering being more comprehensive and ongoing.

What are the most commonly searched types of Performance Engineering jobs in California? The most popular types of Performance Engineering jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Performance Engineering jobs? Cities in California with the most Performance Engineering job openings:
Performance Engineering jobs near you
Infographic showing various Performance Engineering job openings in California as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 93% Full Time, 4% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 84% Physical, 6% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $123,381 per year, or $59.3 per hour.
System Performance Engineering Program Manager, iPhone

System Performance Engineering Program Manager, iPhone

Apple

Cupertino, CA • On-site

$159.20K/yr

Full-time

Posted 2 days ago

Apple rating

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 661 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

6th of 30 rated technology retailers

Job description

Do you love pushing the boundaries of what is possible? The iPhone System Performance EPM team is at the heart of building the world's most capable and recognizable smartphones. In this highly technical and cross-functional role you will partner closely with thermal, hardware, silicon, and software teams to architect, optimize, and quantify product-level capabilities.
As an iPhone System Performance EPM, you will coordinate the process that ensures our next-generation smartphones deliver the mix of power and efficiency required to unlock new capabilities and support sleek, novel designs. Your impact begins in the early stages of product definition, influencing system architecture decisions by establishing performance and thermal targets. During the engineering phase, you will partner with a diverse set of hardware, software, and silicon teams to orchestrate detailed system-level assessments. Acting as an advocate for the product, you will use data to help the team navigate difficult tradeoffs and define new performance-centric control policies. When roadblocks occur, you will lead cross-functional efforts to identify root causes and drive resolutions. Serving as the critical link between engineering and leadership, you will use your domain expertise and strong communication skills to distill complex data into clear insights which drive executive decisions and shape product strategy.
BS engineering degree required.3-5 years of industry experience.Excellent verbal and written interpersonal skills.Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.Ability to coordinate and interface with a large number of project stakeholders.Experience and familiarity with consumer electronics industry.Experience with computer architecture and thermal performance concepts.Exposure to software defined control policies and general software development schedules. Experience setting up program/project schedules and work breakdown structures in a hardware development setting.
MS EE/ECE or related field desired.5 years of highly relevant industry experience.Ability to filter and distill relevant information for the right audience.Excellent communication, presentation, organizational and leadership skills.Highly disciplined in workflow, process, and staying organized on priority tasks.Superior attention to detail with a strong commitment to rigor and excellence.Self motivated and proactive with creative and critical thinking capabilities.Understands and deals well with rapid development cycles and constant change; remains flexible and calm in the face of uncertainty.

What Apple employees say

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About Apple

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Imagine what you could do here! At Apple, new ideas have a way of becoming extraordinary products, services, and customer experiences very quickly. Bring passion and dedication to your job and there's no telling what you could accomplish. Dynamic, intelligent people and inspiring, innovative technologies are the norm here. The people who work here have reinvented entire industries with all Apple Hardware products. The same real passion for innovation that goes into our products also applies to our practices strengthening our dedication to leave the world better than we found it.

Industry

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Cupertino, CA, US

Year founded

1976

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