Lead Performance Test Engineer

Job#: 2075386

Job Description:

Job Description

Lead Test Engineer, Performance

Location: Austin, Texas (South)

Schedule: 4 days onsite

Type: Direct hire

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: To perform this job successfully, this individual must be able to

perform each essential duty satisfactorily:

Build and Lead Strategy: Design, develop, implement, and champion a comprehensive performance

engineering strategy and capability from the ground up, selecting tooling, defining standards, and creating

reusable test assets.

Establish Frameworks & Standards: Define, document, and champion performance testing methodologies,

standards, best practices, SLIs/SLOs, baselines, and regression thresholds across all engineering teams.

Design & Execute Tests: Lead non-functional test planning and execution (load, stress, volume, soak, spike,

endurance, scalability) across microservices, APIs (REST/GraphQL), data pipelines, event-driven

architectures, and UIs hosted in Azure (App Service, Function Apps, Container Apps, Service Bus, Azure

SQL, Cosmos DB, etc.).

Automate & Integrate: Develop, script, and maintain robust, reusable automated performance test scenarios

using industry-standard tools (e.g., JMeter, k6, LoadRunner, Azure Load Testing) and integrate them

seamlessly into CI/CD pipelines (Azure DevOps, GitHub Actions) for early and continuous feedback.

Analyze & Optimize: Monitor and analyze performance test results and production telemetry using tools like

Azure Application Insights and Log Analytics to isolate bottlenecks (CPU, memory, I/O, network, database)

in .NET, React/TypeScript, and SQL workloads; collaborate with teams to recommend effective code, query,

and infrastructure optimizations.

Collaborate & Influence: Partner closely with Development, DevOps, Architecture, and Product teams ("One

Team") to troubleshoot complex performance issues, representing performance concerns in design,

architectural discussions, and release readiness reviews; provide risk assessments and recommendations to

leadership.

Mentor & Coach: Mentor and guide developers and testers on performance-first engineering principles,

performance testing methodologies, and best practices, fostering a culture of performance awareness and

continuous improvement.

Drive & Innovate: Drive performance testing initiatives with full ownership ("Make it Happen"), research and

recommend performance testing tools and technologies, stay current on Azure services and industry trends,

and propose proactive strategies ("Serve").

Communicate & Advocate: Build relationships with stakeholders to effectively communicate performance

testing value, results, and technical findings to diverse audiences.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND/OR ABILITIES: To perform this job successfully, individuals should have the

following skills and abilities:

Expert-level experience designing, executing, and analyzing large-scale performance tests for distributed,

cloud-based systems using multiple tools (e.g., JMeter, k6, Gatling, LoadRunner, Azure Load Testing).

Deep knowledge of performance testing methodologies (workload modeling, capacity planning), analysis

techniques, and root-cause analysis across various technology layers.

Strong proficiency in performance testing Azure-based cloud services (App Service, Functions, Container

Apps, Service Bus, Azure SQL, Cosmos DB, etc.) and using Azure monitoring tools (Application Insights,

Log Analytics, Azure Monitor).

Proficiency in scripting or programming languages relevant to test automation (e.g., C#, PowerShell,

JavaScript/TypeScript, Java, Python).

Solid understanding of web technologies, APIs (REST/GraphQL), microservices architectures, event-driven

patterns, databases (SQL Server, Cosmos DB), and cloud infrastructure (IaaS/PaaS).

Experience integrating performance tests into CI/CD pipelines (Azure DevOps, GitHub Actions) and

proficiency with Git-based workflows.

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills for diagnosing complex performance bottlenecks.

Excellent communication, collaboration, facilitation, and mentoring skills appropriate for a P4 Lead level,

with the ability to influence teams without formal authority.

Experience establishing performance testing practices, standards, and frameworks in enterprise environments.

Knowledge of database performance testing and tuning (SQL Server, Cosmos DB).

Understanding of .NET/C# application performance characteristics and tuning. (Desired)

Familiarity with front-end performance testing (JavaScript/React), metrics (Core Web Vitals), and browser

profiling tools. (Desired)

Familiarity with containerized and serverless performance considerations (Docker, Kubernetes). (Desired)

Experience with application security performance testing. (Desired)

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

Bachelors degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related technical field, OR equivalent practical

experience.

10+ years of overall experience in software quality assurance/test engineering, with at least 5+ years

specifically focused on performance testing and engineering.

Proven track record of establishing or significantly maturing a performance testing practice and leading

complex performance testing initiatives for mission-critical, high-throughput systems, preferably in Azure or

a comparable cloud environment.

Demonstrated success in mentoring and influencing cross-functional technical teams without formal

authority, consistent with P4 "thought-leader" expectations.

Experience working effectively in Agile development methodologies.

Advanced degree in Computer Science or related field. (Desired)

Experience in the financial services, FinTech, or regulated industries. (Desired)

Previous experience building and leading performance testing teams. (Desired)

Publication, conference speaking, or community contributions on performance engineering topics. (Desired)

CERTIFICATIONS, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:

Industry-recognized performance testing certifications (e.g., ISTQB Performance Testing, ISTQB Advanced

Technical Test Analyst, vendor-specific like LoadRunner). (Desired)

Microsoft Azure certifications related to development, DevOps, architecture, or performance (e.g., Azure

Developer Associate, DevOps Engineer Expert, Azure Solutions Architect). (Desired)

PHYSICAL DEMAND: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an

employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to

enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Ability to sit or stand at a computer workstation for extended periods while using a keyboard, mouse, and

multiple monitors.

Frequent, repetitive hand-finger motions for typing, writing, and handling small peripherals or cables.

Near-vision sufficient to read electronic documents, review code, and distinguish basic on-screen colors (e.g.,

for UI verification).

Clear spoken communication and active listening for in-person and virtual meetings, incident bridges, and

phone calls.

Ability to walk short distances, navigate a standard office environment, climb one flight of stairs, and stand

during white-boarding or presentations. Sit-stand desks and other ergonomic furniture are available upon

request.

Ability to lift and move equipment or boxed materials weighing up to 20 lbs (e.g., laptops, small servers,

office supplies).

Participation in overnight or weekend on-call rotations and critical production releases may require work

outside standard business hours.

OTHER DUTIES: Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a complete comprehensive

listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and

activities may change at any time with or without notice.

EEO Employer

Apex Systems is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate or allow discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, genetic information, registered domestic partner status, marital status, disability, status as a crime victim, protected veteran status, political affiliation, union membership, or any other characteristic protected by law. Apex will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable law. If you have visited our website in search of information on employment opportunities or to apply for a position, and you require an accommodation in using our website for a search or application, please contact our Employee Services Department at or .

Apex Systems is a world-class IT services company that serves thousands of clients across the globe. When you join Apex, you become part of a team that values innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning. We offer quality career resources, training, certifications, development opportunities, and a comprehensive benefits package. Our commitment to excellence is reflected in many awards, including ClearlyRated's Best of Staffing in Talent Satisfaction in the United States and Great Place to Work in the United Kingdom and Mexico.

Apex Benefits Overview: Apex offers a range of supplemental benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and other insurance plans that offer an optional layer of financial protection. We offer an ESPP (employee stock purchase program) and a 401K program which allows you to contribute typically within 30 days of starting, with a company match after 12 months of tenure. Apex also offers a HSA (Health Savings Account on the HDHP plan), a SupportLinc Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with up to 8 free counseling sessions, a corporate discount savings program and other discounts. In terms of professional development, Apex hosts an on-demand training program, provides access to certification prep and a library of technical and leadership courses/books/seminars once you have 6+ months of tenure, and certification discounts and other perks to associations that include CompTIA and IIBA. Apex has a dedicated customer service team for our Consultants that can address questions around benefits and other resources, as well as a certified Career Coach. You can access a full list of our benefits, programs, support teams and resources within our 'Welcome Packet' as well, which an Apex team member can provide.