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Principal Software Engineer - Search Algorithms - Elasticsearch

Elastic· Platform - Elasticsearch
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Hybrid (Spain)full-timePosted 1mo ago

About the role

Principal software engineering role focused on enhancing vector similarity search functionality within Elasticsearch, including design and implementation of new vector search features, enhancements to existing vector search, and bug resolution.

Responsibilities

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

Qualifications

  • Professional experience with vector similarity and vector databases, and experience using HNSW, IVF, or other relevant algorithms on search platforms at scale.
  • Strong skills in core Java, familiarity with standard library data structures and concurrency constructs, and experience with lambdas.
  • Ability to work autonomously, lead projects from design to completion, and collaborate across engineers.
  • Experience collaborating over the internet (asynchronous collaboration a bonus).
  • Experience with data storage technologies like Elasticsearch, Solr, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, or Cassandra.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
  • Proven track record of using AI to accelerate development and optimize code while owning final outcomes.
  • Ability to collaborate across functions and transition between projects and codebases as priorities change.
  • Autonomous with distributed team communication.

Skills

Required:Vector similarity / vector databasesJavaAlgorithms and data structures
Nice to have:Software collaboration / remote teamwork

Benefits

  • Competitive pay based on work you do here and not your previous salary
  • Health coverage for you and your family in many locations
  • Flexible calendar with locations and schedules for many roles
  • Generous vacation days
  • Company donation matching up to $2000 (or local currency equivalent)
  • Up to 40 hours per year for volunteering
  • Minimum of 16 weeks parental leave
Last updated Sep 3, 2026. Interested? Apply on the company site.
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Power insights and outcomes with The Elastic Search AI Platform. See into your data and find answers that matter with enterprise solutions designed to help you accelerate time to insight.

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