Senior Performance Engineer at Backbase

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Performance Engineer
Company: Backbase
Location: Kraków, Małopolskie, Poland
Job Type: On-site
Category: DevOps, Infrastructure
Date Posted: 2025-06-24
Experience Level: 5-10 years

🚀 Role Summary

Drive end-to-end performance optimization and take ownership of performance within the value stream.
Serve as the go-to expert for all performance-related matters, providing guidance to development teams.
Collaborate with SRE, infrastructure, and observability teams to build performance dashboards and proactive alerting mechanisms.
Integrate performance testing in CI/CD pipelines to enforce baselines and detect regressions.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires a strong background in performance engineering, with a focus on driving continuous improvement and fostering a performance-conscious culture within the development teams.

💻 Primary Responsibilities

Performance Optimization: Identify, analyze, and resolve application performance bottlenecks to increase resiliency, scalability, and stability across distributed systems.
Performance Testing: Develop and execute performance test strategies targeting critical application paths and infrastructure layers. Design and maintain load testing scenarios using tools such as Gatling, JMeter, and K6.
Performance Analysis: Analyze system behavior under load, isolate latency sources, and drive optimization efforts at application and platform levels.
Incident Response: Perform root cause analysis of incidents and contribute to long-term remediation strategies.
Collaboration: Partner with various teams to enforce performance-conscious coding practices and architectural patterns, and validate scalability and throughput improvements following system changes or architectural redesigns.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary responsibilities of this role require a deep understanding of performance metrics, distributed systems, and a strong analytical mindset to generate actionable insights and drive performance improvement.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field. Relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.

Experience: 5+ years in performance engineering or similar roles in high-throughput systems.

Required Skills:

Strong experience in Java application performance tuning.
Multiple years of software quality engineer experience with Java in microservice environments.
Deep understanding of JVM performance metrics and GC tuning.
Hands-on experience with distributed systems and microservices performance diagnostics.
Experience with performance tools like Gatling, JMeter, Grafana, K6, and CI/CD tools such as GitHub Actions.
Experience working in containerized environments (Docker, Kubernetes).
Skilled in metrics and observability tooling (e.g., Prometheus, Grafana, OpenTelemetry).
Strong analytical skills for interpreting performance data and generating actionable insights.

Preferred Skills:

5+ years in performance engineering or similar roles in high-throughput systems.
Exposure to chaos engineering principles as they intersect with performance testing.
Experience in financial systems or similar latency-sensitive domains.
Familiarity with cloud-native performance challenges (preferably Azure).
Understanding of load balancers, caches, and messaging systems performance impact.
Experience with network-level performance tuning and protocol-level optimizations.
Experience with Spring framework and tuning JVM.

📝 Enhancement Note: The required and preferred skills for this role indicate a need for a performance engineering expert with a strong technical background and a proven track record in driving performance optimization in high-throughput systems.

📊 Web Portfolio & Project Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

Demonstrate a strong understanding of performance testing, optimization, and analysis through relevant projects and case studies.
Showcase experience with performance testing tools, metrics, and observability tooling.
Highlight successful performance optimization efforts, including root cause analysis, incident response, and long-term remediation strategies.

Technical Documentation:

Document performance testing strategies, test cases, and results.
Include analysis of performance data, optimization efforts, and recommendations.
Showcase understanding of CI/CD pipelines and integration of performance testing.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio should focus on demonstrating a deep understanding of performance engineering principles, tools, and techniques, as well as a proven track record of driving performance optimization in distributed systems.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: The estimated salary range for a Senior Performance Engineer in Kraków, Poland, with 5-10 years of experience is approximately PLN 15,000 - 20,000 gross per month (based on Glassdoor and Payscale data, adjusted for inflation and cost of living).

Benefits:

Competitive salary and benefits package.
Opportunities for professional growth and development.
Collaborative and dynamic work environment.
Remote work options available.

Working Hours: Full-time position, with standard working hours Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM CET. Flexible working hours and remote work options may be available.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range and benefits are estimated based on market research and may vary depending on the candidate's experience, skills, and negotiation. Backbase offers a competitive benefits package, including opportunities for professional growth and development.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Backbase is a global software company specialized in digital banking solutions, serving clients worldwide. This role is part of the R&D department, focusing on driving end-to-end performance optimization.

Company Size: Backbase has over 600 employees, providing a large and diverse team to collaborate with and learn from.

Founded: Backbase was founded in 2003, with a strong focus on innovation and continuous improvement in the digital banking space.

Team Structure:

The R&D department is organized into value streams, with each value stream responsible for a specific aspect of the Backbase platform.
The performance engineering team works closely with development teams, SRE, infrastructure, and observability teams to drive performance optimization across the platform.
The performance guild is an internal community of practice focused on sharing knowledge and best practices related to performance engineering.

Development Methodology:

Backbase follows Agile methodologies, with a focus on continuous integration, delivery, and deployment.
The company uses GitHub for version control, GitHub Actions for CI/CD, and a range of performance testing tools, including Gatling, JMeter, and K6.
Backbase employs a 'Performance by Design' principle, emphasizing performance optimization throughout the software development lifecycle.

Company Website: Backbase

📝 Enhancement Note: Backbase's company culture emphasizes innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement, providing an ideal environment for a Senior Performance Engineer to thrive and make a significant impact on the company's products and services.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Web Technology Career Level: This role is a senior-level position, requiring a high level of expertise in performance engineering, distributed systems, and Java application performance tuning. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of driving performance optimization in high-throughput systems and be capable of serving as a go-to expert for performance-related matters.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Performance Engineer will report directly to the Head of Performance Engineering and work closely with development teams, SRE, infrastructure, and observability teams.

Technical Impact: This role has a significant impact on the performance, scalability, and stability of Backbase's digital banking platform. The Senior Performance Engineer will drive end-to-end performance optimization, ensuring that the platform meets the high standards required by Backbase's clients and users.

Growth Opportunities:

Technical Leadership: As a senior member of the performance engineering team, there are opportunities for the candidate to take on a leadership role, mentoring junior team members and driving the adoption of best practices in performance engineering.
Architecture Decisions: The Senior Performance Engineer will play a crucial role in shaping the performance architecture of Backbase's digital banking platform, providing opportunities to influence the design and implementation of new features and services.
Emerging Technologies: Backbase is at the forefront of digital banking innovation, providing opportunities for the candidate to gain experience with emerging technologies and trends in the industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: The career growth opportunities for a Senior Performance Engineer at Backbase are significant, with the potential to take on leadership roles, influence architecture decisions, and gain experience with emerging technologies in the digital banking industry.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Backbase's Kraków office is a modern, collaborative workspace designed to foster innovation and creativity. The office features open-plan workspaces, meeting rooms, and breakout areas, as well as on-site amenities such as a gym, cafeteria, and relaxation zones.

Office Location(s): Backbase's Kraków office is located in the heart of the city, with easy access to public transportation and nearby amenities.

Workspace Context:

Collaboration: The open-plan workspace encourages collaboration and communication between team members, with dedicated areas for team meetings and workshops.
Equipment: Backbase provides state-of-the-art equipment, including multiple monitors, high-performance workstations, and access to the latest performance testing tools.
Flexibility: Backbase offers flexible working arrangements, including remote work options and flexible hours, to accommodate the needs of its employees.

Work Schedule: Backbase operates a standard working week from Monday to Friday, with core hours from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM CET. Employees are encouraged to maintain a healthy work-life balance and are provided with the flexibility to manage their time effectively.

📝 Enhancement Note: Backbase's work environment is designed to foster collaboration, creativity, and innovation, providing an ideal setting for a Senior Performance Engineer to thrive and make a significant impact on the company's products and services.

📄 Application & Technical Interview Process

Interview Process:

Online Assessment: A short online assessment to evaluate the candidate's understanding of performance engineering concepts and tools.
Technical Deep Dive: A detailed discussion of the candidate's performance engineering experience, focusing on their approach to performance testing, optimization, and analysis. The candidate will be expected to demonstrate a deep understanding of performance metrics, distributed systems, and Java application performance tuning.
Behavioral Interview: An interview focused on the candidate's problem-solving skills, communication, and teamwork abilities. The candidate will be asked to describe their approach to incident response, root cause analysis, and long-term remediation strategies.
Final Interview: A meeting with the hiring manager and other senior team members to discuss the candidate's fit with the team and the company's culture.

Portfolio Review Tips:

Case Studies: Prepare detailed case studies demonstrating your experience with performance testing, optimization, and analysis. Highlight the challenges you faced, the tools you used, and the outcomes of your efforts.
Data Analysis: Showcase your ability to analyze performance data and generate actionable insights. Include examples of how you have used performance metrics to drive optimization efforts and improve system performance.
Incident Response: Prepare examples of how you have responded to performance incidents, including your approach to root cause analysis and long-term remediation strategies.

Technical Challenge Preparation:

Performance Testing: Brush up on your knowledge of performance testing tools, such as Gatling, JMeter, and K6. Familiarize yourself with the tools' features and capabilities, and practice creating and executing performance test scenarios.
JVM Tuning: Refresh your understanding of JVM performance metrics and GC tuning. Be prepared to discuss your approach to JVM performance optimization and provide examples of successful JVM tuning efforts.
Distributed Systems: Review your knowledge of distributed systems and microservices performance diagnostics. Be prepared to discuss the unique challenges and opportunities presented by distributed systems and how you have approached performance optimization in these environments.

ATS Keywords: [List of relevant performance engineering, Java, and distributed systems keywords]

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for this role is designed to evaluate the candidate's technical expertise, problem-solving skills, and cultural fit. The portfolio review and technical challenge preparation tips provide actionable insights to help candidates demonstrate their qualifications and make a strong impression throughout the interview process.

🛠 Technology Stack & Web Infrastructure

Performance Testing Tools:

Gatling
JMeter
K6

Metrics and Observability Tooling:

Prometheus
Grafana
OpenTelemetry

Containerization:

Docker
Kubernetes

CI/CD:

GitHub Actions

Programming Languages:

Java

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack for this role is focused on performance testing, metrics, and observability tooling, as well as containerization and CI/CD. The ideal candidate will have experience with these tools and be capable of driving performance optimization across Backbase's distributed systems.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Performance Engineering Values:

Data-Driven: Backbase's performance engineering team emphasizes data-driven decision-making, using performance metrics and analysis to guide optimization efforts and inform architectural decisions.
Collaborative: The team works closely with development teams, SRE, infrastructure, and observability teams to drive performance optimization across the platform.
Continuous Improvement: Backbase's 'Performance by Design' principle emphasizes continuous improvement in performance optimization, with a focus on driving long-term performance gains and maintaining high standards of performance and reliability.

Collaboration Style:

Cross-Functional: The performance engineering team works closely with development teams, SRE, infrastructure, and observability teams to drive performance optimization across the platform.
Knowledge Sharing: Backbase encourages knowledge sharing and collaboration, with regular team meetings, workshops, and training sessions focused on performance engineering best practices and emerging technologies.
Mentoring: Backbase provides opportunities for mentoring and coaching, with senior team members sharing their expertise and experience with junior team members to support their professional development.

📝 Enhancement Note: Backbase's performance engineering team values data-driven decision-making, collaboration, and continuous improvement, providing an ideal environment for a Senior Performance Engineer to thrive and make a significant impact on the company's products and services.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Technical Challenges:

Distributed Systems: Backbase's digital banking platform is a complex, distributed system, presenting unique challenges and opportunities for performance optimization. The Senior Performance Engineer will be expected to develop and execute performance test strategies targeting critical application paths and infrastructure layers, and to analyze system behavior under load to identify and resolve performance bottlenecks.
Cloud-Native Performance Challenges: Backbase's platform is built on cloud-native technologies, presenting unique performance challenges related to scalability, resiliency, and stability. The Senior Performance Engineer will be expected to have a deep understanding of cloud-native performance challenges and to drive optimization efforts at the application and platform levels.
Incident Response: Backbase's platform is subject to high traffic and user demand, presenting unique challenges related to incident response and remediation. The Senior Performance Engineer will be expected to have strong analytical skills and to be capable of performing root cause analysis of incidents and contributing to long-term remediation strategies.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

Performance Engineering Training: Backbase provides opportunities for performance engineering training, with regular workshops, webinars, and conferences focused on emerging technologies, best practices, and industry trends.
Emerging Technologies: Backbase is at the forefront of digital banking innovation, providing opportunities for the candidate to gain experience with emerging technologies and trends in the industry.
Mentoring: Backbase provides opportunities for mentoring and coaching, with senior team members sharing their expertise and experience with junior team members to support their professional development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technical challenges and learning opportunities for a Senior Performance Engineer at Backbase are significant, with the potential to drive performance optimization in a complex, distributed system and to gain experience with emerging technologies and trends in the digital banking industry.

💡 Interview Preparation

Technical Questions:

Performance Testing: Prepare for detailed questions about your experience with performance testing tools, such as Gatling, JMeter, and K6. Be ready to discuss your approach to performance test strategy development, execution, and analysis.
JVM Tuning: Brush up on your knowledge of JVM performance metrics and GC tuning. Be prepared to discuss your approach to JVM performance optimization and provide examples of successful JVM tuning efforts.
Distributed Systems: Review your knowledge of distributed systems and microservices performance diagnostics. Be prepared to discuss the unique challenges and opportunities presented by distributed systems and how you have approached performance optimization in these environments.

Company & Culture Questions:

Performance Engineering Culture: Prepare for questions about Backbase's performance engineering culture, including the team's values, collaboration style, and approach to continuous improvement.
Performance by Design: Be ready to discuss Backbase's 'Performance by Design' principle and how you would drive performance optimization throughout the software development lifecycle.
Incident Response: Prepare for questions about your approach to incident response, root cause analysis, and long-term remediation strategies. Be ready to discuss your experience with performance incidents and how you have worked with development teams to resolve performance-related issues.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

Case Studies: Prepare detailed case studies demonstrating your experience with performance testing, optimization, and analysis. Highlight the challenges you faced, the tools you used, and the outcomes of your efforts.
Data Analysis: Showcase your ability to analyze performance data and generate actionable insights. Include examples of how you have used performance metrics to drive optimization efforts and improve system performance.
Incident Response: Prepare examples of how you have responded to performance incidents, including your approach to root cause analysis and long-term remediation strategies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview preparation tips for this role are designed to help candidates demonstrate their technical expertise, problem-solving skills, and cultural fit. By preparing for detailed technical questions, company and culture questions, and portfolio presentation strategies, candidates can make a strong impression throughout the interview process.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Performance Engineer position at Backbase:

Submit Your Application: Click on the application link and submit your resume, highlighting your performance engineering experience, technical skills, and relevant portfolio projects.
Prepare Your Portfolio: Tailor your portfolio to showcase your experience with performance testing, optimization, and analysis. Include detailed case studies, data analysis examples, and incident response examples that demonstrate your qualifications for the role.
Research Backbase: Familiarize yourself with Backbase's products, services, and company culture. Prepare for company and culture questions by understanding Backbase's approach to performance engineering, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Prepare for Technical Challenges: Brush up on your knowledge of performance testing tools, JVM tuning, and distributed systems. Practice creating and executing performance test scenarios, and prepare for detailed technical questions about your experience and approach to performance engineering.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and web development/server administration industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

Senior Performance Engineer