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Principal Software Engineer - Search Algorithms - Elasticsearch

Elastic· Platform - Elasticsearch
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Hybrid (Portugal)€67k - €106kfull-timePosted 1mo ago

About the role

Principal software engineering role focusing 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, including potentially inventing new algorithms or data structures and working close to OS/hardware.
  • Work with a globally distributed team of engineers 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 globally on issues and pull requests, triaging when needed and handling tasks asynchronously when possible.
  • 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 and familiarity with standard data structures, concurrency, and features like lambdas.
  • Ability to work autonomously, guide projects from design to delivery, and collaborate across engineers to develop components.
  • Experience collaborating asynchronously over the internet; bonus for open-source collaboration experience.
  • Experience with data storage technologies like Elasticsearch, Solr, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, or Cassandra.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills; ability to collaborate respectfully and empathetically.
  • Proven track record of using AI to accelerate development, debug complex systems, and optimize code while owning outcomes.
  • Ability to collaborate across functions and transition between projects, codebases, or teams as priorities change.
  • Autonomy to drive decisions and results in a distributed team using asynchronous, direct, and transparent communication.

Skills

Required:Vector similarity / vector databasesJava programming

Benefits

  • Competitive pay based on the work you do here and not your previous salary
  • Health coverage for you and your family in many locations
  • Flexible locations and schedules for many roles
  • Generous number of vacation days each year
  • Employer matching up to $2000 for donations and service
  • Up to 40 hours per year for volunteer projects
  • Minimum of 16 weeks parental leave
Last updated Sep 3, 2026. Interested? Apply on the company site.
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