Lead Performance Engineer

About this role: Wells Fargo is seeking a Lead Performance Engineer to drive performance testing and optimization efforts for critical Contact Center IVR and API platforms. In this role, you will lead the design, development, and execution of comprehensive performance test plans, scenarios, and workloads to ensure scalability, stability, resiliency, and throughput across customer-facing and backend systems.You will partner closely with engineering, architecture, platform, and DevOps teams to identify performance bottlenecks, establish performance benchmarks, and implement solutions that enhance the reliability and customer experience of our contact center technologies.The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in performance engineering, API validation, observability, and performance analysis within complex distributed environments, along with a passion for driving performance excellence through automation, CI/CD integration, and shift-left testing practices.In this role, you will:Design, develop, and execute comprehensive performance, load, stress, and capacity test strategies to validate scalability, reliability, and throughput across distributed systems.Build, maintain, and enhance automated performance test scripts and frameworks using tools such as LoadRunner and Postman to simulate real-world user traffic and complex workloads.Analyze application performance across microservices-based architectures running in Kubernetes/OpenShift (OCP) environments.Monitor system health and performance using observability tools including Splunk, SPLOC, Grafana, and AppDynamics to identify trends, constraints, and anomalies.Conduct deep-dive root cause analysis across application, infrastructure, network, JVM, and database layers to identify bottlenecks and drive performance improvements.Evaluate JVM performance metrics including garbage collection, CPU utilization, memory consumption, heap usage, and thread behavior to optimize application efficiency.Design and implement service virtualization solutions, including stubs and mock services, to support testing in dependent, unavailable, or constrained environments.Test and validate event-driven architectures leveraging Kafka, Redis, and other messaging and caching technologies to ensure performance and resilience.Define, establish, and validate performance benchmarks, SLAs, response time thresholds, concurrency limits, and capacity planning targets.Partner with engineering, architecture, platform, and DevOps teams to lead performance engineering initiatives, drive shift-left testing practices, and integrate performance validation into CI/CD pipelines.Required Qualifications:5+ years of Software Engineering experience, or equivalent demonstrated through one or a combination of the following: work experience, training, military experience, education5+ years of hands-on experience with performance testing tools5+ years of experience testing RESTful and SOAP APIs and distributed systems5+ years of experience monitoring and observability tools such as Splunk, SPLOC, Grafana, AppDynamics5+ years of experience in JVM performance tuning, garbage collection, and memory management5+ years of demonstrated experience with service virtualization5+ years of scripting/programming experience (C, Java, Python, or similar) sufficient to customize and troubleshoot testsDesired Qualifications:Experience working in cloud-based, microservices architecturesSolid understanding of container platforms such as Kubernetes/OpenShift (OCP)Hands-on experience with messaging systems (Kafka)Experience with caching technologies such as RedisExperience integrating performance testing into CI/CD pipelinesStrong understanding of API gateways, middleware, and end-to-end system flowsExperience with network-level concepts (latency, proxies, load balancing)Familiarity with troubleshooting across layers (client, API, platform, infrastructure)Experience in financial services or other regulated environmentsJob Expectations:This position is not eligible for Visa sponsorshipThis position offers a hybrid work scheduleMust be able to work on-site at any of the listed locationsRelocation assistance is not available for this positionJob Posting Locations:1525 W W T Harris Blvd., CHARLOTTE, North Carolina 28262Soft SkillsStrong analytical and critical thinking skillsAbility to quickly isolate problems and drive toward resolutionClear and concise communication of technical findings to stakeholdersSelf-driven with minimal need for oversightAbility to operate effectively in a fast-paced, high-expectation environmentStrong sense of ownership and accountabilityPosting End Date: 17 Sep 2026*Job posting may come down early due to volume of applicants.We Value Equal OpportunityWells Fargo is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other legally protected characteristic.Employees support our focus on building strong customer relationships balanced with a strong risk mitigating and compliance-driven culture which firmly establishes those disciplines as critical to the success of our customers and company. They are accountable for execution of all applicable risk programs (Credit, Market, Financial Crimes, Operational, Regulatory Compliance), which includes effectively following and adhering to applicable Wells Fargo policies and procedures, appropriately fulfilling risk and compliance obligations, timely and effective escalation and remediation of issues, and making sound risk decisions. There is emphasis on proactive monitoring, governance, risk identification and escalation, as well as making sound risk decisions commensurate with the business unit’s risk appetite and all risk and compliance program requirements.Candidates applying to job openings posted in Canada: Applications for employment are encouraged from all qualified candidates, including women, persons with disabilities, aboriginal peoples and visible minorities. Accommodation for applicants with disabilities is available upon request in connection with the recruitment process.Applicants with DisabilitiesTo request a medical accommodation during the application or interview process, visit Disability Inclusion at Wells Fargo.Drug and Alcohol PolicyWells Fargo maintains a drug free workplace. Please see our Drug and Alcohol Policy to learn more.Wells Fargo Recruitment and Hiring Requirements:a. Third-Party recordings are prohibited unless authorized by Wells Fargo.b. Wells Fargo requires you to directly represent your own experiences during the recruiting and hiring process.SummaryLocation: CHARLOTTE, NCType: Full time