Principal Software Engineer, Search Algorithms, Elasticsearch

Elastic

Confirmed live yesterday Low trust

Remote

Quick summary

Work type: Remote
Location: Remote
Posted: 15 days ago
Freshness: Confirmed live yesterday

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Salary context

How this pay compares to similar roles

Similar $201k

$130k most similar roles pay here $266k

This listing doesn't post a salary. Most similar roles pay $171,850–$231,000.

Based on 240 similar postings.

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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 240 open roles on FindRole.

Listed pay typically runs $133,100–$210,600 across 91 roles with salary data.

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At a glance

TL;DR · Principal Software Engineer, Search Algorithms, Elasticsearch

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Principal Software Engineer - Search Algorithms - Elasticsearch joins the globally-distributed Elasticsearch search team to enhance vector similarity search functionality. This role involves designing and implementing new features, improving existing capabilities, and resolving complex bugs within the Lucene framework. The engineer will lead initiatives to build an industry-leading vector database offering by developing new algorithms or data structures and writing idiomatic modern Java code. Key responsibilities include collaborating with community members on pull requests and serving as a subject matter expert on vector similarity for search relevance. Required skills include professional experience with vector databases, HNSW, and IVF algorithms, alongside proficiency in core Java, concurrency constructs, and standard libraries. Candidates should also possess familiarity with data storage technologies like Solr, PostgreSQL, or MongoDB while utilizing AI to optimize code and debug complex systems.

What does a Software Engineer earn in Remote?

Median $204500 from 415 postings across 57 companies.

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Skills

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

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 improvements to existing functionality within Elasticsearch.
Develop, debug, and optimize core Java code while maintaining high standards for readability.
Create or implement novel algorithms and data structures to solve complex technical challenges.
Serve as a subject matter expert on vector similarity implementations to guide the engineering team.
Manage community interactions by triaging and resolving issues and pull requests from global users.
Drive projects from inception to completion, including both technical design and cross-functional coordination.

What we're looking for

Professional experience with vector similarity and vector databases using algorithms like HNSW or IVF at scale.
Strong skills in core Java, including the standard library of data structures and concurrency constructs.
Ability to work autonomously to lead projects from technical design through completion.
Experience with various data storage technologies such as Elasticsearch, Solr, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, or Cassandra.
Proven track record of using AI to accelerate development, debug systems, and optimize code.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills for collaborating in a distributed team environment.
Ability to collaborate across functions and teams while transitioning between different projects and codebases.
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