Principal Software Engineer – Search Algorithms (Elasticsearch)

About the role

Elastic is looking for a Principal Software Engineer to lead the development of vector similarity search within Elasticsearch, delivering industry‑leading speed and relevance.

Key responsibilities

• Lead initiatives to build an industry‑leading vector database offering.
• Contribute full‑time to Elasticsearch, adding new search features and fixing complex bugs.
• Collaborate with a globally distributed team focused on vector search capabilities.
• Become the go‑to expert on Elasticsearch’s vector similarity implementation.
• Engage with community members on issues, pull requests, and triage.
• Write idiomatic modern Java, which makes up 99.8% of the codebase.

Required profile

• Professional experience with vector similarity and vector databases, using HNSW, IVF, or similar algorithms at scale.
• Strong core Java skills, familiar with standard library data structures, concurrency constructs, and lambdas.
• Ability to work autonomously and drive projects from design through delivery.
• Experience collaborating remotely, giving and receiving feedback on code and APIs.
• Familiarity with data storage technologies such as Elasticsearch, Solr, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, or Cassandra.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Proven track record of using AI to accelerate development, debug complex systems, and optimize code.

Required skills

• Vector similarity algorithms (HNSW, IVF)
• Java (modern, idiomatic)
• Concurrency constructs and lambdas
• Elasticsearch and Lucene
• Data storage technologies (Solr, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, Cassandra)

What we offer

• Competitive base salary €67,000–€106,000 EUR
• Health coverage for you and your family in many locations
• Flexible calendar with remote work options
• Generous vacation days each year
• Matching donations up to $2,000 (or local equivalent)
• Up to 40 hours per year for volunteer projects
• Minimum 16 weeks of parental leave