Performance Engineer III

First Citizens; Raleigh (NC); On-site; USD 95,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

First Citizens Bank seeks a Systems Engineer to own performance testing and production support for the bank's infrastructure. You will design, implement, and maintain robust performance test scripts and integrate them into CI/CD pipelines.

The role requires troubleshooting across Windows, Linux, UNIX, mainframe, and containerized systems, mentoring junior engineers, and coordinating with QA and project teams to ensure reliable operations.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in performance testing across web apps, REST/SOAP services, databases, and mainframe interfaces.
• Strong scripting skills in JavaScript, Python, or C for test automation.
• Experience integrating test suites into CI/CD pipelines with GitLab or Jenkins.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical support and performance testing activities for infrastructure.
• Develop and maintain performance test scripts and standards.
• Analyze results, identify root causes, and assist in defect resolution with QA and project teams.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to scope projects and assign tasks to engineers.
• Monitor systems using DynaTrace, Splunk, and SolarWinds; tune performance accordingly.
• Mentor junior engineers and provide technical guidance across teams.

Skills

Performance testing

CI/CD pipelines

LoadRunner

DynaTrace

Splunk

GitLab/Jenkins

Kubernetes

Windows Server

Linux/UNIX

Mainframe

Scripting (JavaScript, Python, C)

Networking basics

Education

Bachelor's Degree

High School Diploma/GED

Tools

LoadRunner Enterprise

GitLab

Jenkins

DynaTrace

Splunk

SolarWinds

Kubernetes

DB2

SQL Server

Oracle

REST/SOAP testing tools

Job description

Overview

This position is responsible for planning and project management, complex problem resolution, and advanced production support for the Bank's systems infrastructure. Provides expert guidance and mentorship on system technical support, maintenance, and enhancement. Leads the administration of software and hardware that supports customer sales and service applications. Installs, automates, and tests infrastructures for continuous improvement. Monitors overall systems performance to identify potential issues and tune appropriately. Addresses failed components or technical issues and provides resolution. Oversees the work of less experienced associates and serves as a technical resource to wider business unit.

Responsibilities & Qualifications

• Technical Support - Leads technical support and service in the installation and testing of software, patches, and upgrades to system products. Resolves complex problems and failures that occur in assigned products and technical facilities. Responsible for administration, communication, and documentation throughout technical support activities.
• Develop and maintain robust performance test scripts using LoadRunner's Web-HTTP/HTML protocol (using the JavaScript engine), in addition to other protocols including, but not limited to, TruClient and Citrix.
• Solve complex scripting scenarios in LoadRunner for advanced business and technological scenarios including single sign on, polling, and workflow management.
• Design and execute performance tests against web applications, SOAP Services, REST APIs, Message Queues, databases, and mainframe systems.
• Set and maintain performance testing standards in-line with established industry best practices and ensuring team members follow those standards for testing.
• Intake project work, communicate and collaborate with project stakeholders about performance testing, scope project work, and assign projects to other test engineers.
• Integrate performance test suites into CI/CD pipelines (e.g. GitLab, Jenkins) enabling fast feedback and continuous validation.
• Analyze test results, identify root causes of failures, and assist in defect resolution with QA and the Project Team. Ability to write test reports and give context to performance testing results to both business and technology stakeholders.
• Engage and educate teams about performance testing and the performance testing process.
• Utilize system monitoring to assist in the troubleshooting of performance issues including DynaTrace, Splunk, and SolarWinds.

Area of Experience: Windows Server, Red Hat Linux, AIX, Mainframe, Virtualized Environments, Kubernetes, Performance Testing, Enterprise Monitoring, System Architecture and Design, System Queueing Theory, Web Applications, SOAP and REST Services, HTTP(s) Client/Server communication, Authentication, Software Development Lifecycle, HTML, XML, JSON, Load Balancing, Networking, LoadRunner (Enterprise), DynaTrace, Splunk, SolarWinds.

Ability to be on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Qualifications:
Minimum Required Education and Experience: Bachelor's Degree and 6 years' experience OR High School Diploma or GED/Equivalent and 10 years' experience in Systems engineer and systems programmer

Exposure to mainframe, desktop, Windows and UNIX system support, Exposure to Server Virtualization, Kubernetes, Service Virtualization, Mastery in Directory and Authentication services, Understanding of data warehouse architecture principles, Knowledge of BI or Enterprise Reporting Frameworks, Exposure to Business Continuity Processes, Working knowledge of scripting languages such as JavaScript, C, Python, etc, Understanding of data flow, network interfaces, and protocols such as systems network architecture (SNA), Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), Domain Name System (DNS), and NetBIOS Extended User Interface (NetBEUI), Knowledge of relational database management system fundamentals and design principles, databases and applications tuning tools, and multi-platform programs such as DB2, SQL Server, and Oracle, Ability to be on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Additional Information

Benefits are an integral part of total rewards and First Citizens Bank is committed to providing a competitive, thoughtfully designed and quality benefits program to meet the needs of our associates. More information can be found at https://jobs.firstcitizens.com/benefits.