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.

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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, Vector Search, Elasticsearch

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Principal Software Engineer - Vector Search - Elasticsearch joins the Elasticsearch search team to enhance vector similarity search functionality. This role involves designing and implementing new features, improving existing capabilities, and resolving bugs within the Lucene-based search experience. The engineer will lead initiatives to build an industry-leading vector database offering, potentially inventing new algorithms or data structures while working closely with a globally distributed team of experts. Key technical requirements include proficiency in modern Java, including standard libraries for data structures and concurrency constructs. Candidates should possess experience with vector similarity algorithms like HNSW and IVF, as well as familiarity with data storage technologies such as Solr, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, or Cassandra. The role focuses on solving the technical challenge of providing high-speed, relevant search results by optimizing how Elasticsearch implements vector similarity for large-scale information retrieval.

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 Open Source Data Structures 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, optimize, and debug core Java code while creating new algorithms or data structures when necessary.
Serve as the primary internal expert on how Elasticsearch implements vector similarity for search relevance.
Manage community interactions by triaging and resolving issues and pull requests from global users.
Execute technical designs and lead projects from inception to completion in a distributed team environment.
Ensure all software contributions comply with security policies and the Secure Software Development Framework.

What we're looking for

Experience implementing novel techniques in vector similarity on search platforms 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 with various data storage technologies such as Elasticsearch, Solr, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, or Cassandra.
Proficiency in using AI tools to accelerate development, debug systems, and optimize code.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills for collaborating across distributed teams.
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