Principal Software Engineer, Vector Search, 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 $172,225–$230,625.

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 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, Vector Search, Elasticsearch

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Principal Software Engineer - Vector Search - Elasticsearch joins the Elasticsearch search team to enhance vector similarity search functionality within the platform. This role involves designing and implementing new features, improving existing capabilities, resolving bugs, and potentially inventing new algorithms or data structures to provide high-speed, relevant results. The engineer will work with a globally distributed team to develop core Java code, manage community pull requests, and serve as an expert on vector similarity implementation. Required skills include proficiency in modern Java, experience with HNSW or IVF algorithms, and familiarity with data storage technologies like Solr, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, or Cassandra. The role focuses on the technical challenge of building a robust vector database offering to improve search relevance for large-scale systems while ensuring high code quality through collaborative development and peer reviews.

What does a Software Engineer earn in Remote?

Median $204500 from 415 postings across 57 companies.

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Skills

Elasticsearch Java Vector Search Lucene HNSW IVF PostgreSQL MongoDB Cassandra Solr GitHub Data Structures 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 while enhancing existing functionality within Elasticsearch.
Develop, optimize, and debug complex code using modern Java and advanced data structures.
Serve as a subject matter expert on vector similarity implementation for the internal engineering team.
Manage community interactions by triaging and resolving issues and pull requests from global users.
Create new algorithms or data structures to improve search performance and code maintainability.
Drive technical projects from inception to completion while ensuring high standards of code quality.

What we're looking for

Experience implementing novel techniques in vector similarity on a search platform or advancing academic research in the field.
Professional experience with vector similarity and vector databases using algorithms like HNSW or IVF at scale.
Strong skills in core Java, including knowledge of standard libraries, data structures, and concurrency constructs.
Proven ability to work autonomously and lead projects from technical design through completion.
Experience using various data storage technologies such as Elasticsearch, Solr, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, or Cassandra.
Demonstrated 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.
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