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Performance Optimization Engineer Jobs in Portland, OR

Trend Capital

Full-Stack Go Software Engineer

Vancouver, WA · On-site

$125 - $150/hr

... performance optimization, and profiling. * Advanced knowledge of relational databases (PostgreSQL ... We pride ourselves that each software engineer works in autonomous roles with little management or ...

Rule42

Lead Software Engineer

Lake Oswego, OR · On-site

$150 - $200/hr

Collaborate with data engineers, machine learning engineers, product leaders, and business ... and performance optimization. * Experience building and operating solutions on Google Cloud ...

Onto

Senior Systems Engineer

Hillsboro, OR · On-site

$102K - $153K/yr

Development of best operational methods for tool performance optimization * Design and conduct ... D. in Engineering or Sciences with a focus on optical physics * >5 years experience in a ...

Onto

Senior Systems Engineer

Hillsboro, OR · On-site

$102K - $153K/yr

Development of best operational methods for tool performance optimization * Design and conduct ... D. in Engineering or Sciences with a focus on optical physics * >5 years experience in a ...

Onto

Senior Systems Engineer

Hillsboro, OR · On-site

$128K - $192K/yr

Development of best operational methods for tool performance optimization * Design and conduct ... D. in Engineering or Sciences with a focus on optical physics * >5 years experience in a ...

Intel

Middleware Development Engineer

Hillsboro, OR

$111K - $211K/yr

As a Middleware Development Engineer, you will design, build, and optimize software communication ... Experience in runtime performance optimization, improving communications latency or throughput.

Onto

Senior Systems Engineer

Hillsboro, OR · On-site

$128K - $192K/yr

Development of best operational methods for tool performance optimization * Design and conduct ... D. in Engineering or Sciences with a focus on optical physics * >5 years experience in a ...

Intel

AI Infrastructure Engineer

Hillsboro, OR · On-site

$170K - $315K/yr

Deep Stack Optimization: Profile, diagnose, and resolve cross-stack performance bottlenecks. Kernel Development and Integration: Design, write, and optimize custom high-performance kernels for ...

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Performance Optimization Engineer information

See Portland, OR salary details

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How much do performance optimization engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 9, 2026, the average hourly pay for performance optimization engineer in Portland, OR is $63.74, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $52.26 and $72.16 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a performance optimization engineer?

A Performance Optimization Engineer is a professional who focuses on improving the speed, efficiency, and scalability of software systems, applications, or hardware. Their main responsibilities include analyzing system performance, identifying bottlenecks, and implementing solutions to optimize resource usage and response times. They often work closely with development and operations teams to monitor system metrics, conduct performance testing, and ensure applications meet performance requirements. This role is critical in maintaining high-performing, reliable systems, especially for organizations with large-scale or mission-critical applications.

What are some typical challenges a performance optimization engineer faces when working with legacy systems?

Performance Optimization Engineers often encounter challenges such as outdated codebases, lack of documentation, and hardware limitations when working with legacy systems. These factors can make it difficult to identify bottlenecks and implement modern performance improvements. Collaborating closely with cross-functional teams—including developers, testers, and system administrators—is crucial to fully understand system behavior and safely apply optimizations without introducing regressions. Patience and creative problem-solving are key, as each legacy system may require unique strategies to achieve measurable performance gains.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a performance optimization engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Performance Optimization Engineer, you need a strong background in computer science, programming, and system architecture, often supported by a relevant degree. Familiarity with profiling tools, performance monitoring systems, and languages such as C++, Java, or Python is typically required. Analytical thinking, problem-solving, and effective communication are standout soft skills for diagnosing bottlenecks and collaborating with teams. These abilities are essential for ensuring systems operate efficiently, reliably, and at scale.

What is the difference between Performance Optimization Engineer vs Software Developer?

AspectPerformance Optimization EngineerSoftware Developer
Primary FocusImproving system and application performance, optimizing code and infrastructureDesigning, coding, and testing software applications
Skills & CertificationsKnowledge of performance profiling, debugging, scripting, certifications like AWS or LinuxProficiency in programming languages, software development methodologies
Work EnvironmentOften in performance labs, cloud environments, or data centersDevelopment teams, office or remote software development settings
Industry UsageTech, gaming, finance, and enterprise sectors focusing on system efficiency

Performance Optimization Engineers focus on enhancing system and application efficiency, while Software Developers create and maintain software applications. Both roles require technical skills, but their core responsibilities differ significantly, making each essential in different stages of software and system lifecycle.

CPU Performance and Workload Analysis Engineer, Platform Architecture

Beaverton, OR • On-site

Apple Inc.
Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing • 10K+ employees
Learn more about Apple Inc.external

$100 - $125/hr

Other

Posted 21 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • Profile and analyze existing and emerging workloads, including bringing them up in CPU/SOC simulation environment.

  • Develop and maintain performance and trace analysis tools, including creating visual extensions for data analysis.

  • Run and analyze workloads on simulators and prototype devices, and develop and automate performance analysis infrastructure.

Apple rating

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 684 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

6th of 30 rated technology retailers

Job description

CPU Performance and Workload Analysis Engineer, Platform Architecture

Modern system-on-chip (SoC) designs have dramatically changed how hardware and software is developed. It is increasingly important to understand the concerns of software developers when designing hardware while it is also increasingly meaningful for software developers to understand how their applications can map efficiently to modern client and server hardware. Those who can understand both and prefer to live at the intersection of hardware and software are deeply valuable, especially to Apple. The Apple CPU Architecture and Performance Team is seeking highly motivated and self-driven engineers who want to live at this intersection, individuals who have or want to develop domain expertise in emerging areas like AI, individuals who have a high-level CPU architecture understanding and desire to work with a world class team for CPU, SoC, and software development. Are you deeply accountable for your work? Your passion for product ownership and track record of product development will prove critical to your success on our team.

Description

We drive advanced exploration for next generation CPU architectures. As a member of this team, you are the interface between the CPU team, system teams, and many software teams at Apple. We have a data driven approach that is focused on real user workloads (both existing and emerging) so your work will guide optimizations and the direction of future CPUs. At the same time, you will be working with software developers to optimize code for our CPU designs and roadmap.

Responsibilities
  • Profile and analyze existing and emerging workloads, bring up in CPU/SOC simulation environment
  • Develop and maintain performance and trace analysis tools
  • Develop and implement visual extensions to assist with data analysis that can be used internally and also by the various software partners in Apple
  • Run and analyze workloads on simulators and prototype devices as well as work on developing and automating performance analysis infrastructure
  • Develop domain expertise in emerging fields (ex: ML, AR/VR) in order to both identify hardware advancement opportunities and assist software teams in optimizing for our devices.
  • Profile and analyze workload in potential new product areas to help guide CPU roadmap decisions
Minimum Qualifications
  • Experience with CPU architecture and micro-architecture
  • Object-oriented programming experience with C and C++
  • Experience with CPU performance analysis and associated tools
Preferred Qualifications
  • MS or PhD in Electrical or Computer Engineering, or related field
  • 3+ years of relevant experience
  • Knowledge of common performance benchmarks
  • Experience working multi-functionally with people of very diverse backgrounds
  • Demonstrated communication, influence, and negotiation skills
  • Technical documentation skills
  • Knowledge of visual/UI, data analysis frameworks and modern AI tools
  • Knowledge of OS internals and compiler technology

Apple is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to inclusion and diversity. We seek to promote equal opportunity for all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics. Learn more about your EEO rights as an applicant .

Apple accepts applications to this posting on an ongoing basis.

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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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