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Principal Software Engineer - Search Algorithms - Elasticsearch

Elastic· Platform - Elasticsearch
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Hybrid (Switzerland)Full-timePosted 1mo ago

About the role

Principal Software Engineer focused on enhancing vector similarity search functionality within Elasticsearch, including design and implementation of new vector search features, improvements to existing vector search, and bug resolution. Global, distributed team leveraging Java, collaborating asynchronously across regions.

Responsibilities

  • Lead initiatives within Elasticsearch to produce an industry-leading vector database offering with fast and relevant search
  • Contribute to Elasticsearch by 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
  • Be expert on how Elasticsearch implements vector similarity to support search relevance and drive improvements
  • Collaborate with community members worldwide on issues and PRs, triaging or handling them
  • Write idiomatic modern Java (Elasticsearch is 99.8% Java)

Qualifications

  • Professional experience with vector similarity and vector databases; experience with HNSW, IVF, or other relevant algorithms on search platforms at scale
  • Strong skills in core Java and standard library, including data structures, concurrency, and lambdas
  • Ability to work autonomously from design to delivery and collaborate to develop components
  • Experience collaborating asynchronously and across distributed teams; bonus for internet collaboration experience
  • Experience with data storage technologies (e.g., Elasticsearch, Solr, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, Cassandra)
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills
  • Proven track record of using AI to accelerate development, debugging, and optimization while owning outcomes
  • Ability to collaborate across functions and transition between projects/codebases/teams based on priorities
  • Autonomy to drive decisions and results in a distributed team via asynchronous, direct, and transparent communication

Skills

Required:Vector similarity and vector databasesJavaDistributed collaboration and asynchronous communication
Nice to have:Open source collaboration

Benefits

  • Competitive pay
  • Health coverage for you and your family in many locations
  • Flexible calendar with location and schedule options
  • Generous vacation days
  • Company matching for donations up to $2000 or local equivalent
  • Up to 40 hours/year for volunteer projects
  • Minimum 16 weeks parental leave
Last updated Oct 8, 2026. Interested? Apply on the company site.
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