1

System Performance Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Senior System Performance Engineer, XR

San Jose, CA · On-site

$122K - $167K/yr

XR System Performance Engineer, you will play a critical role in ensuring the performance excellence of XR hardware and software. You will design strategies to identify bottlenecks and implement ...

New

This role supports propulsion system performance analysis and validation by collecting, formatting, analyzing, and reporting test performance data across development, acceptance, and qualification ...

This role supports propulsion system performance analysis and validation by collecting, formatting, analyzing, and reporting test performance data across development, acceptance, and qualification ...

$150 - $225/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Retirement

System Performance Engineer - AI/ML, Platform Architecture Santa Clara, California, United States Hardware Imagine what you can do here. At Apple, new ideas have a way of becoming extraordinary ...

New

Systems Performance Engineer Senior

Winston Salem, NC · On-site

$96K - $131K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Monitor production system performance. * Lead peer reviews to ensure completeness of performance test assets. * Follow SDLC and performance engineering processes. * Resolve performance and stability ...

Showing results 21-40

System Performance Engineer information

See salary details

$11

$60

$98

How much do system performance engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 20, 2026, the average hourly pay for system performance engineer in the United States is $60.11, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $49.28 and $68.03 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a system performance engineer do?

A System Performance Engineer is responsible for analyzing, monitoring, and optimizing the performance of computer systems and applications. They identify bottlenecks, troubleshoot issues, and implement solutions to ensure systems run efficiently and meet performance requirements. These engineers often work closely with development, operations, and infrastructure teams to improve system speed, scalability, and reliability. Their work may involve performance testing, tuning hardware and software configurations, and creating tools to automate performance analysis.

How does a system performance engineer typically collaborate with development and operations teams to address performance bottlenecks?

System Performance Engineers work closely with both development and operations teams to identify, analyze, and resolve system performance issues. They often participate in code reviews, consult on architectural decisions, and provide guidance on best practices for scalability and efficiency. This role involves using monitoring tools to gather performance data, leading root cause analyses, and facilitating communication between stakeholders to ensure that solutions are effectively implemented and validated. Regular cross-team meetings and performance review sessions are common, making strong collaboration and communication skills essential.

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

To thrive as a System Performance Engineer, you need expertise in performance analysis, systems architecture, and proficiency in programming languages like Python, C++, or Java, often supported by a degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with profiling tools (such as perf, JMeter, or New Relic), operating systems, and performance monitoring frameworks is essential. Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication skills help you diagnose issues and collaborate with cross-functional teams. These skills are crucial for optimizing system efficiency, ensuring reliability, and supporting business-critical applications.

What is the difference between System Performance Engineer vs Network Performance Engineer?

AspectSystem Performance EngineerNetwork Performance Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field; certifications like CWNP or Cisco CCNA beneficialBachelor's in Computer Science, Networking, or related; certifications like Cisco CCNA or Network+
Work EnvironmentFocuses on hardware, software, and system optimization within data centers or enterprise ITFocuses on network infrastructure, bandwidth, and latency within enterprise or service provider networks
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in IT, data centers, cloud services, and enterprise environmentsCommon in telecommunications, internet service providers, and large enterprise networks

The System Performance Engineer primarily focuses on optimizing overall system hardware and software performance, while the Network Performance Engineer concentrates on network infrastructure and data flow. Both roles require technical certifications and work in related environments, but their core responsibilities differ in scope and focus.

What is a system performance engineer?

A system performance engineer is responsible for analyzing, testing, and optimizing the performance of computer systems and networks. They use tools like monitoring software and performance metrics to identify bottlenecks and ensure systems operate efficiently under various loads. Strong knowledge of hardware, software, and scripting is often required for this role.
More about System Performance Engineer jobs

What states have the most System Performance Engineer jobs?

States with the most job openings for System Performance Engineer jobs include:

Infographic showing various System Performance Engineer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 88% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 82% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 16% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $125,019 per year, or $60.1 per hour.

Cellular 4G/5G System Performance Engineer

Apple Inc.

San Francisco, CA • On-site

$184.70 - $324.80/hr

Other

Medical, Dental, Retirement

Re-posted 17 days ago


Apple rating

8.0

Company rating: 8.0 out of 10

Based on 677 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

7th of 30 rated technology retailers


Job description

Cellular 4G/5G System Performance Engineer

San Francisco Bay Area, California, United States Hardware

Do you have a passion for invention and self‑challenge? Do you thrive on pushing the limits of what’s considered feasible? As part of a world‑class modem team, you’ll craft sophisticated leading‑edge embedded firmware that deliver more performance in our products than ever before. You’ll work across disciplines to transform improved hardware elements into a single, integrated design. Join us, and you’ll help us innovate new wireless systems technologies that continually outperform the previous iterations. By collaborating with other product development groups across Apple, you’ll push the industry boundaries of what wireless systems can do and improve the product experience for our customers across the world.

Description

Do you want to have an impact on every single Apple product? As a Cellular 4G/5G System Performance Engineer, you will be at the center of the embedded 5G/4G/multimode cellular system / firmware effort within a silicon design group responsible for designing and productizing state‑of‑the‑art cellular SoCs. This position requires someone comfortable with all aspects of embedded system/firmware verification, who thrives in a dynamic cross‑functional organization, is not afraid to debate ideas openly, and is flexible enough to pivot on constantly evolving requirements.

Responsibilities
  • Collaborate with system engineers and firmware developers to understand details of system design, feature design and FW implementation
  • Design performance verification lab use cases and test cases to effectively identify potential UE performance issues and ensure overall UE performance meet expectations
  • Collaborate with system engineers, firmware developers, integration, and test engineers to troubleshoot performance‑related issues and enhance the overall UE performance
  • Develop test scripts over lab network emulator (TE) to implement defined performance test cases or reproduce issues
  • Guide test executors in performing validation of new and existing features.
Minimum Qualifications
  • BS and a minimum of 10 years relevant industry experience.
  • Advanced knowledge of 4G/5G physical layer, protocol stack and procedures.
  • 5+ years of experience in 4G/5G development / system engineering / device performance verification.
  • Experience in investigating and troubleshooting cellular device performance issues.
  • Strong analysis and debugging capabilities to be able to debug performance issues and work with firmware development and systems design teams to close these issues.
  • Understanding of software engineering principles, and core computer science fundamentals.
  • Proficient in scripting or programming languages such as Python, C/C++.
  • Experience and knowledge of multiple 4G/5G signaling and physical layer test equipment (Keysight/Anritsu/R&S) along with their automation interfaces.
Preferred Qualifications
  • Ph.D degree in wireless communication or electrical engineering.
  • Advanced knowledge of 4G/5G physical layer, protocol stack, and procedures.
  • Over 10 years of experience in 4G/5G development / system engineering / device performance verification.
  • Experience in investigating and troubleshooting cellular device performance issues.
  • Strong analysis and debugging capabilities to diagnose performance issues and collaborate with firmware development and systems design teams to resolve them.
  • Deep understanding of software engineering principles and core computer science fundamentals.
  • Proficient in scripting or programming languages such as Python, C/C++, and Java. A solid grasp of automation tool chain.
  • Extensive experience and knowledge of various 4G/5G signaling and physical layer test equipment (including Keysight, Anritsu, and R&S) and their automation interfaces.
  • Solid knowledge in Layer 2/Layer 3/ NAS and network performance optimization (a plus).
  • Experience with network emulators, silicon prototyping, emulation systems, and virtual platforms a plus.
Benefits
  • Base pay range: $184,700 – $324,800, determined by skills, qualifications, experience, and location.
  • Discretionary employee stock programs, including restricted stock unit awards and the Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
  • Comprehensive medical and dental coverage.
  • Retirement benefits.
  • Range of discounted products and free services.
  • Reimbursement for certain educational expenses—including tuition—based on career advancement.
  • Discretionary bonuses or commission payments and potential relocation assistance.

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.

At Apple, we believe accessibility is a fundamental human right. You’ll find that idea reflected in everything here— in our culture, our benefits and our digital tools. By welcoming as many perspectives as possible, we help you build a career where you feel like you belong.

Apple accepts applications to this posting on an ongoing basis.

#J-18808-Ljbffr

What Apple employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom


Apple logo

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