Principal Software Engineer - Search Algorithms - Elasticsearch

Elastic is a company focused on search AI, providing a cloud-based platform used by more than 50% of the Fortune 500. Their Elasticsearch product integrates search and AI capabilities, supporting structured and unstructured data for applications in search, security, and observability.

• Professional experience with vector similarity and vector databases, using algorithms like HNSW and IVF at scale.
• Strong core Java skills, including proficiency with standard data structures, concurrency constructs, and lambdas.
• Ability to work autonomously, handling projects from technical design to component development.
• Comfortable with collaborative development, including asynchronous internet-based collaboration.
• Experience with data storage technologies such as Elasticsearch, Solr, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, or Cassandra.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Proven record of using AI to accelerate development, debug systems, and optimize code while taking full ownership.
• Ability to collaborate across teams and switch projects based on business priorities.
• Capability to drive decisions and results independently in a distributed team using transparent communication.

• Lead initiatives to develop an industry-leading vector database for Elasticsearch with unparalleled speed and relevance in search.
• Build new search features and fix bugs in Elasticsearch, including inventing or implementing algorithms and data structures.
• Collaborate with a globally distributed team focused on vector search capabilities.
• Act as an expert on Elasticsearch's vector similarity implementation and improve this area proactively.
• Engage with community members worldwide on issues and pull requests, triaging or resolving them as needed.
• Write idiomatic modern Java code.

Employment is subject to export control and licensing requirements for nationals or residents of Belarus, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria, Russia, and certain Ukrainian territories annexed by Russia. National origin or nationality do not affect eligibility for employment. Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws such as FMLA, EPPA, and others.