A computer implemented system is described for assigning executable jobs to pipeline sets, whereby the jobs may be network based computer jobs. The assigning includes generating a weight for each pipeline set of multiple pipeline sets to obtain multiple weights. Generating a weight includes obtaining duty cycle metrics for pipeline software threads in the pipeline set. The duty cycle metrics include a measure of an amount of time that a corresponding pipeline thread is executing and actively processing data. Generating the weight further includes determining the weight for the pipeline set based at least in part on the duty cycle metrics. The method further includes assigning a job request to a target pipeline set selected from the pipeline sets according to a weighted random algorithm, wherein the weighted random algorithm uses the weights.