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Principal Software Engineer - Search Algorithms - Elasticsearch

Elastic· Platform - Elasticsearch
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Remote$159.8k - $252.8kFull-timePosted 1mo ago

About the role

Principal Software Engineer role focused on enhancing vector similarity search functionality within Elasticsearch, contributing to new vector search features, improvements, and bug fixes, while collaborating with a globally distributed team.

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 and interfacing closely with operating system and hardware.
  • Collaborate with a globally distributed team focusing 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 and handing off as needed.
  • Write idiomatic modern Java (Elasticsearch is 99.8% Java).

Qualifications

  • Professional experience with vector similarity and vector databases; experience with algorithms and libraries such as HNSW, IVF, or other relevant approaches at scale.
  • Strong skills in core Java, familiarity with standard library data structures, concurrency constructs, and features like lambdas.
  • Ability to work autonomously from design to delivery and to guide projects end-to-end.
  • Experience collaborating in distributed, asynchronous environments; strong communication skills.
  • Experience with multiple data storage technologies (e.g., Elasticsearch, Solr, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, Cassandra).
  • Excellent verbal and written communication; ability to collaborate respectfully and empathetically.
  • 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, 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 algorithmsJava programming

Benefits

  • Company-matched 401k with dollar-for-dollar matching up to 6%
  • Holistic benefits package including health coverage for employee and family in many locations
  • Flexible locations and schedules for many roles
  • Generous vacation days
  • Up to $2000 match for charitable donations and service (company match)
  • Up to 40 hours per year for volunteer projects
  • Minimum 16 weeks of parental leave
  • Stock program eligibility as part of total rewards package
Last updated Sep 3, 2026. Interested? Apply on the company site.
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The open source platform that powers search, observability, security, and more ...

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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