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Principal Software Engineer - Vector Search - Elasticsearch

Elastic· Platform - Elasticsearch
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Hybrid (Greece)€73.3k - €115.9kfull-timePosted 1mo ago

About the role

Principal Software Engineer role focused on enhancing vector similarity search functionality within Elasticsearch, including design and implementation of new vector search features, enhancements to existing functionality, and bug resolution. Part of a globally distributed team delivering a robust, feature-rich search experience and contributing to Lucene improvements.

Responsibilities

  • Lead initiatives within Elasticsearch to produce an industry-leading vector database offering with speed and relevance in search
  • Contribute to Elasticsearch full time, building new search features and fixing bugs, potentially inventing new algorithms or data structures
  • Work with a globally distributed team focused on vector search capabilities of Elasticsearch
  • Be an expert on how Elasticsearch implements vector similarity to support search relevance and drive improvements
  • Collaborate with community members on issues and pull requests, triaging or handling them as needed
  • Write idiomatic modern Java (Elasticsearch is 99.8% Java)

Qualifications

  • Implemented novel techniques in vector similarity on a search platform with a large user base or progressed the field of academic research in vector similarity information retrieval
  • Professional experience with vector similarity and vector databases, and experience with HNSW, IVF, or similar algorithms on large-scale search platforms
  • Strong core Java skills and familiarity with standard data structures, concurrency constructs, and features like lambdas
  • Ability to work autonomously from design to delivery, including technical design and coordinating with engineers
  • Experience collaborating across teams and across the internet (asynchronous collaboration valued)
  • Experience with data storage technologies such as Elasticsearch, Solr, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, or Cassandra
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills
  • Proven track record of using AI to accelerate development, debugging, and optimizing code while owning outcomes
  • Ability to collaborate across functions and transition between projects, codebases, or teams based on priorities
  • Autonomous, able to drive decisions and results in a distributed team using asynchronous, direct, and transparent communication

Skills

Required:Vector similarity algorithmsJavaSystems design
Nice to have:Distributed collaboration

Benefits

  • Competitive pay
  • Health coverage for you and your family in many locations
  • Flexible locations and schedules for many roles
  • Generous vacation days
  • Employer matching for donations up to $2000 or local currency equivalent
  • Up to 40 hours per year for volunteer projects
  • Minimum of 16 weeks parental leave
  • Diversity and inclusion-focused culture
  • Accessible and inclusive recruitment practices
Last updated Sep 3, 2026. Interested? Apply on the company site.
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