Principal Software Engineer, Search Algorithms

Elastic

Confirmed live yesterday Trusted

Remote

Quick summary

Work type: Remote
Location: Remote
Salary: $159,800–$252,800 / yr
Posted: 61 days ago
Freshness: Confirmed live yesterday

Market check

Salary context

Competitive pay

How this pay compares to similar roles

Similar $192k

This role $206k

$130k $266k

below market most similar roles pay here above market

This role pays more than 51% of similar roles. Most pay $169,550–$214,625 — the blue band above. At the midpoint, this role pays about $206k versus about $192k for comparable roles.

Based on 240 similar postings.

Employer

About Elastic

Elastic is the company behind Elasticsearch and the Elastic Stack (Elasticsearch, Kibana, Beats, and Logstash). It sells search, observability, and security products built on that search engine, primarily through its Elastic Cloud managed service.

Elastic currently has 52 open roles on FindRole.

Listed pay typically runs $133,100–$210,600 across 52 roles with salary data.

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At a glance

TL;DR · Principal Software Engineer, Search Algorithms

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The Principal Software Engineer - Search Algorithms - Elasticsearch joins the Elasticsearch - Search team to enhance vector similarity search functionality. This role involves leading initiatives to produce an industry-leading vector database offering by designing and implementing new features, enhancing existing functionality, and resolving bugs. You will contribute to the Lucene search experience, potentially inventing new algorithms or data structures while working closely with the operating system and hardware. Key responsibilities include triaging community pull requests and writing idiomatic modern Java. Required skills include professional experience with vector similarity algorithms like HNSW and IVF, core Java proficiency, and knowledge of data storage technologies such as Solr, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, or Cassandra. You will solve complex technical problems regarding search relevance and speed within a globally distributed team.

What does a Software Engineer earn in Remote?

Median $208800 from 354 postings across 50 companies.

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Skills

Elasticsearch Java Vector Similarity Search Lucene HNSW IVF PostgreSQL MongoDB Cassandra Solr GitHub Data Structures Concurrency Algorithms Open Source

What you'll do

Lead initiatives to develop an industry-leading vector database offering with high speed and relevance.
Design and implement new vector search features and enhancements within the Elasticsearch platform.
Write idiomatic modern Java code to build new search features and resolve complex bugs.
Invent or implement new algorithms and data structures to optimize search performance.
Serve as the primary subject matter expert for Elasticsearch vector similarity implementations.
Manage and triage community issues and pull requests from global contributors.
Drive technical designs and project execution from beginning to end with high autonomy.

What we're looking for

Professional experience with vector similarity and vector databases using HNSW, IVF, or other relevant algorithms at scale.
Strong skills in core Java, including the standard library of data structures, concurrency constructs, and lambdas.
Ability to work with a high level of autonomy to lead projects from technical design through to completion.
Experience using data storage technologies such as Elasticsearch, Solr, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, or Cassandra.
Proven track record of using AI to accelerate development, debug complex systems, and optimize code.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills for collaborative, asynchronous, and distributed team environments.
Experience building with Elasticsearch (preferred).
Experience with open source projects, source control workflows, and continuous integration (preferred).