Principal Software Engineer, Vector Search, Elasticsearch

Elastic

Confirmed live 2 days ago Low trust

Remote

Quick summary

Work type: Remote
Location: Remote
Posted: 15 days ago
Freshness: Confirmed live 2 days ago

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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. This role involves designing and implementing new features, improving existing capabilities, and resolving complex bugs within the Lucene-based search experience. 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 technical requirements include expertise in core Java, concurrency constructs, and standard libraries, alongside experience with HNSW and IVF algorithms. Candidates should possess a background in vector similarity on large-scale search platforms and familiarity with technologies like Solr, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, or Cassandra. The role focuses on solving the challenge of providing high speed and relevance in search by optimizing how Elasticsearch implements vector similarity to support advanced 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 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 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.
Drive technical projects from inception to completion, including design and cross-functional coordination.
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.
Proficiency in core Java, including the standard library of data structures and concurrency constructs.
Ability to work autonomously to lead technical design and drive projects from inception to completion.
Proven ability to collaborate effectively in a distributed team environment using asynchronous communication.
Experience with 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.
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