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Principal Software Engineer - Search Algorithms - Elasticsearch

Elastic· Platform - Elasticsearch
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Hybrid (Romania)RON 326.4k - RON 516.4kfull-timePosted 1mo ago

About the role

Principal Software Engineer focusing on vector similarity search within Elasticsearch, contributing to new features, enhancements, and bug fixes; responsible for design and implementation of vector search functionality and collaborating with a globally distributed team.

Responsibilities

  • Lead initiatives within Elasticsearch to produce an industry-leading vector database offering with fast, relevant search
  • Contribute to Elasticsearch by building new search features and fixing bugs, including algorithm or data structure development
  • Work with a globally distributed team focused on vector search capabilities
  • Become an expert on how Elasticsearch implements vector similarity to support search relevance
  • 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; used HNSW, IVF, or other relevant algorithms and libraries at scale
  • Strong skills in core Java; proficient with standard library data structures, concurrency, and lambdas
  • Autonomous with ability to drive projects from design to delivery and collaborate with other engineers
  • Experience collaborating asynchronously across the internet; bonus for open source collaboration
  • Familiarity 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, debugging complex systems, and optimizing code while owning outcomes
  • Ability to collaborate across functions and transition between projects/teams based on priorities
  • Autonomy to drive decisions and results in a distributed team using asynchronous, direct, transparent communication

Skills

Required:Vector similarity and vector databasesJavaAutonomy and project leadershipCollaborative/communication skills
Nice to have:Open source and collaboration experience

Benefits

  • Competitive pay
  • Health coverage for you and your family in many locations
  • Flexible calendar with flexible locations and schedules for many roles
  • Generous vacation days
  • Employer matching for charitable donations up to $2000 or local equivalent
  • Up to 40 hours per year for volunteer projects
  • Minimum 16 weeks of parental leave
  • Diversity and inclusive culture with equal opportunity employment
Last updated Sep 24, 2026. Interested? Apply on the company site.
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