Principal Software Engineer - Search Algorithms - Elasticsearch

About the Role

Elastic is looking for a Principal Software Engineer to join our globally-distributed Elasticsearch Search team. This role focuses on enhancing vector similarity search functionality, including the design and implementation of new features, performance optimizations, and bug resolution within the Elasticsearch and Lucene ecosystems.

What You Will Be Doing

• Lead Initiatives: Drive the development of an industry-leading vector database offering within Elasticsearch.
• Core Development: Contribute to the Elasticsearch codebase (99.8% Java), including inventing or implementing new algorithms and data structures.
• Technical Expertise: Serve as the subject matter expert on vector similarity and search relevance.
• Collaboration: Work with a distributed team and the open-source community to triage issues, review pull requests, and maintain high code quality.
• System Optimization: Work close to the hardware and operating system to ensure unparalleled speed and scale.

What You Bring Along

• Technical Expertise: Professional experience with vector similarity, vector databases, and algorithms such as HNSW or IVF.
• Java Proficiency: Strong skills in core Java, including concurrency constructs and modern language features.
• Autonomy: Proven ability to lead projects from technical design to implementation in a distributed environment.
• Collaborative Mindset: Experience with asynchronous, distributed collaboration (GitHub, Slack, Zoom).
• Data Storage Knowledge: Familiarity with technologies like Elasticsearch, Solr, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, or Cassandra.
• AI Integration: A track record of using AI to accelerate development and optimize complex systems.

Benefits

• Competitive, transparent pay.
• Flexible locations and schedules.
• Health coverage for you and your family.
• Generous annual vacation time.
• Financial matching for charitable donations and service.
• Paid volunteer time (up to 40 hours/year).
• Minimum 16 weeks of parental leave.