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Principal Software Engineer - Query Engine, Database Internals - Elasticsearch

Elastic· Platform - Elasticsearch
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Hybrid (United States)$159.8k - $252.8kfull-timePosted 6mo ago

About the role

Principal software engineering role responsible for defining, directing, and building next-generation ES|QL capabilities within Elasticsearch’s compute engine, including customer/user interfaces, language syntax, and compute infrastructure.

Responsibilities

  • Define, lead, and contribute to the development of data-intensive enhancements for ES|QL and the compute engine.
  • Research latest features, data structures, and algorithms to build capabilities for users.
  • Collaborate with partners and product teams to understand needs and shape a long-term technical roadmap.
  • Leverage past analytics experience to drive an innovative ES|QL roadmap.
  • Serve as an authority in areas of Elasticsearch and provide guidance across teams while improving related areas.

Qualifications

  • Experience leading technical projects in data and enterprise architecture.
  • Experience mentoring expert engineers and providing technical guidance.
  • Experience defining a long-term technical vision for a data-intensive application across teams.
  • Hands-on experience with search and analytics APIs (e.g., Splunk SPL, Elasticsearch, Datadog, Dynatrace, New Relic).
  • Strong core Java skills, familiarity with standard data structures, concurrency, and modern features (lambdas).
  • Autonomous, capable of guiding projects from design to delivery in a distributed team.
  • Experience with data storage technologies (Elasticsearch, Solr, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, Cassandra).
  • Excellent verbal and written communication; collaborative in internet-enabled environments.
  • Proven track record of using AI to accelerate development, debugging, and optimization.
  • Ability to collaborate across functions and transition between projects, codebases, or teams based on priorities.
  • Ability to drive decisions and results asynchronously in a distributed team.

Skills

Required:JavaSearch and analytics APIsData structures and algorithmsLeadership and mentorshipCross-functional collaboration

Benefits

  • Stock program eligibility
  • Company-matched 401k with dollar-for-dollar matching up to 6%
  • Benefits package focused on employee well-being
  • Flexible locations and schedules
  • Competitive pay based on work performed
  • Health coverage for employees and dependents in many locations
  • Generous vacation days
  • Volunteer time off (up to 40 hours/year)
  • Parental leave (minimum 16 weeks)
Last updated Sep 3, 2026. Interested? Apply on the company site.
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