Principal Software Engineer - Vector Search - Elasticsearch

OverviewAs a Principal Software Engineer on the Elasticsearch - Search team, you’ll lead the development of vector search capabilities at scale. You’ll shape a high-performance vector database experience, contribute to core search features, and drive architectural innovations. You’ll collaborate with a global team, mentor peers, and engage with the community to deliver fast, reliable search powered by AI. This role offers meaningful impact by advancing vector similarity technology in a widely used platform.Compensaciones / Beneficios competitive payhealth coverage for you and familyflexible locations and schedulesgenerous vacation daysdonation matchingparental leaveResponsabilidades Lead initiatives to deliver an industry-leading vector database with fast, relevant searchContribute to Elasticsearch features, implement new search capabilities, and fix complex bugsInvent or adapt algorithms and data structures; optimize near hardware and OS boundariesCollaborate with a globally distributed team on vector search capabilitiesBecome the go-to expert on vector similarity within Elasticsearch and drive improvementsTriager and manage community issues and PRs, sometimes handling tasks independentlyWrite idiomatic Java to maintain and evolve the codebaseRequisitos principales Experience implementing novel vector similarity techniques on large-scale search platformsProficiency in vector similarity and vector databases; exposure to HNSW, IVF, or related algorithmsStrong core Java skills, data structures, concurrency, and modern features like lambdasAutonomous with end-to-end project ownership and cross-functional collaborationExperience with distributed collaboration and open source practicesFamiliarity with multiple data storage technologies (e.g., Elasticsearch, Solr, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, Cassandra)Excellent verbal and written communication; collaborative and respectful working styleProven track record applying AI to accelerate development and optimize systemscollaborativeeffective communicatoradaptable to asynchronous workvector similarityvector databasesHNSW

Requisitos principales Experience implementing novel vector similarity techniques on large-scale search platforms Proficiency in vector similarity and vector databases; exposure to HNSW, IVF, or related algorithms Strong core Java skills, data structures, concurrency, and modern features like lambdas Autonomous with end-to-end project ownership and cross-functional collaboration Experience with distributed collaboration and open source practices Familiarity with multiple data storage technologies (e.g., Elasticsearch, Solr, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, Cassandra) Excellent verbal and written communication; collaborative and respectful working style Proven track record applying AI to accelerate development and optimize systems collaborative effective communicator adaptable to asynchronous work vector similarity vector databases HNSW