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Principal Software Engineer - Search Algorithms - Elasticsearch

Elastic· Platform - Elasticsearch
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Hybrid (Ireland)€102.7k - €162.5kfull-timePosted 1mo ago

About the role

Principal Software Engineer role focusing on vector similarity search functionality within Elasticsearch, contributing to designing and implementing new vector search features, enhancements, and bug fixes, with a strong emphasis on performance, scalability, and collaboration across a globally distributed team.

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 invention of new algorithms or data structures when needed.
  • 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 influence improvements in this area.
  • Collaborate with community members worldwide on issues and pull requests, triaging or handling them as needed.
  • Write idiomatic modern Java (Elasticsearch is 99.8% Java).

Qualifications

  • Professional experience with vector similarity and vector databases, with use of HNSW, IVF, or other relevant algorithms on search platforms at scale.
  • Strong skills in core Java, including standard library data structures and concurrency constructs, and familiarity with lambdas.
  • Autonomous with ability to lead projects from design to delivery, including technical design and cross-team coordination.
  • Experience developing collaboratively with remote teams; comfort with asynchronous collaboration.
  • Experience with data storage technologies like Elasticsearch, Solr, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, or Cassandra.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills, collaborative and respectful in interactions.
  • 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 based on priorities.
  • Autonomous in driving decisions and results in a distributed team using asynchronous, direct, and transparent communication.

Skills

Required:Vector similarity / vector databasesJavaSystems designCollaborative / async collaboration

Benefits

  • Competitive pay
  • Health coverage for you and your family in many locations
  • Flexible locations and schedules for many roles
  • Generous vacation days
  • Match up to $2000 for charitable donations (or local equivalent)
  • Up to 40 hours/year toward volunteer projects
  • Minimum 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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