Principal Software Engineer - Search Algorithms - Elasticsearch
Stellenbeschreibung
Overview
In this role you will drive the vector search capability of Elasticsearch, shaping a high-performance vector database. You will lead design and implementation of new features, optimize relevance and speed, and tackle challenging bugs. You’ll work with a globally distributed team, sharing knowledge and guiding components from concept to production. This is a hands-on, autonomous role that combines algorithmic innovation with practical system engineering to advance AI-powered search. You’ll contribute to Lucene-related improvements and mentor peers, all in a fast-moving, collaborative environment.
Leistungen / Benefits- competitive pay
- health coverage for you and your family
- flexible locations and schedules
- generous vacation days
- donations matching up to $2000
- volunteer time allowance (up to 40 hours/year)
- Lead vector search initiatives to deliver fast, relevant search at scale
- Design and implement new vector features and improvements
- Address complex bugs and refactor for clarity and maintainability
- Prototype new algorithms or data structures and push toward production
- Collaborate with a globally distributed team via async and synchronous communication
- Triage community issues and PRs, contributing as needed
- Develop in idiomatic Java and work close to OS/hardware when necessary
- Engage with cross-functional teams to steer projects
- Maintain and improve code quality and documentation
- Contribute to Lucene-related enhancements for search relevance
- Experience with vector similarity and vector databases; familiarity with HNSW, IVF or similar algorithms
- Strong Java skills and solid knowledge of concurrency and data structures
- Ability to own projects from design to delivery with minimal supervision
- Collaborative mindset with proven experience in remote/internet-based teamwork
- Experience with data storage technologies like Elasticsearch, Solr, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, or Cassandra
- Proven track record of using AI to accelerate development and debugging complex systems
- Ability to navigate multiple codebases and teams in a distributed environment
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- collaboration
- feedback culture
- asynchronous communication
- vector similarity
- vector databases
- HNSW
