Principal Software Engineer - Search Algorithms (Elasticsearch)

About the role

Elastic is looking for a Principal Software Engineer to join its Elasticsearch - Search team, a globally distributed group of engineers focused on a robust, feature-rich search experience, including contributions to improving the search experience in Lucene. The role centres on enhancing vector similarity search in Elasticsearch: designing and implementing new vector search features, improving existing ones and resolving bugs.

Key responsibilities

• Lead initiatives within Elasticsearch to deliver an industry-leading vector database offering with speed and relevance.
• Build new search features and fix bugs, keeping the code easy to understand, and invent or implement new algorithms and data structures.
• Work with a globally distributed team of experienced engineers on vector search capabilities.
• Act as the expert on how Elasticsearch implements vector similarity, improving it based on questions and instincts.
• Collaborate with community members worldwide on issues and pull requests, triaging and handing them off or handling them yourself.

Required profile

• Professional experience with vector similarity and vector databases, having used HNSW, IVF or similar algorithms and libraries at scale.
• Strong autonomy, able to own projects from start to finish, including technical design and coordination with other engineers.
• Comfortable collaborating asynchronously over the internet, giving and receiving feedback on code and APIs.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Proven track record of using AI to accelerate development, debug complex systems and optimise code.
• Ability to collaborate across functions and teams and switch between projects and codebases according to business priorities.

Required skills

• Core Java, including the standard library, data structures, concurrency constructs and lambdas.
• Experience with data storage technologies such as Elasticsearch, Solr, PostgreSQL, MongoDB or Cassandra.
• Bonus: prior work with Elasticsearch, open-source projects, CI/CD workflows, and leading cross-functional initiatives.

What we offer

• Base salary of EUR 102,700 to 162,500, with no variable component.
• Health coverage for you and your family in many locations.
• Flexible locations and schedules for many roles, generous vacation days.
• Matching of up to $2,000 (or local equivalent) for donations and service, and up to 40 hours per year for volunteering.
• Minimum of 16 weeks of parental leave.