Senior Software Engineer - Vector Search - Elasticsearch

Elastic is a Search AI Company offering a cloud-based search, security, and observability platform used by more than 50% of the Fortune 500. The company enables real-time search across structured and unstructured data with enhanced security and AI features. The role is within the globally distributed Elasticsearch - Search Relevance team.

• Implemented novel techniques in vector similarity on large-scale search platforms or advanced academic research in vector similarity information retrieval.
• Professional experience with search or vector databases using algorithms like HNSW or IVF at scale.
• Solid skills in core Java, including standard libraries, data structures, concurrency constructs, and lambdas.
• Ability to work autonomously, guiding projects from design to completion.
• Collaborative development experience, including code review and API design, especially in asynchronous and distributed contexts.
• Experience with data storage technologies such as Elasticsearch, Solr, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, or Cassandra with understanding of their operation.
• Proven track record using AI to accelerate development, debug complex systems, and optimize code.
• Ability to collaborate across functions and teams and adapt to changing priorities.
• Effective communication and decision-making in a distributed team environment.

• Lead initiatives to produce an industry-leading search engine with speed and relevance.
• Build new search features and fix bugs in Elasticsearch.
• Work with a globally distributed team focused on vector search capabilities.
• Drive improvements in Elasticsearch search relevance.
• Collaborate with community members globally on issues and pull requests.
• Write idiomatic modern Java code (Elasticsearch is 99.8% Java).

Applicants must note that Elastic's technology is subject to U.S. and other countries' export controls and licensing requirements. Employment may require an export license if the candidate is located in or a national of sanctioned countries or regions including Belarus, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria, Russia, or certain Ukrainian territories annexed by Russia. National origin or nationality do not affect employment eligibility. The company is committed to providing accommodations for applicants with disabilities upon request.