Principal Software Engineer - Search Algorithms - Elasticsearch

ABOUT THE ROLE Elastic is the Search AI Company that powers real‑time discovery for more than half of the Fortune 500. As a Principal Software Engineer on the Elasticsearch – Search team, you will shape the next generation of vector similarity search, driving performance, relevance, and scalability for our global customer base. You will work closely with a distributed team of world‑class engineers, contributing to core search features, solving complex bugs, and influencing the direction of the platform at the intersection of search and AI. WHAT YOU'LL DO - Lead the design and implementation of new vector search features, ensuring they meet Elastic’s standards for speed, accuracy, and maintainability. - Own end‑to‑end development of enhancements to existing vector search functionality, from algorithm selection to low‑level optimisations. - Collaborate with cross‑functional teams, including data scientists, product managers, and community contributors, to translate business requirements into robust code. - Mentor and coach peers through code reviews, technical discussions, and knowledge sharing, fostering a culture of continuous improvement. - Engage with the open‑source community, triage pull requests, and provide guidance to external contributors on best practices for vector search. - Stay current on advances in vector databases, similarity algorithms, and hardware acceleration, and evangelise new ideas within the team. WHAT YOU'LL NEED - Extensive experience with vector similarity search and vector database technologies, including HNSW, IVF, or comparable algorithms, at scale. - Deep expertise in core Java, with a strong grasp of the standard library, concurrency primitives, and functional programming features. - Proven ability to architect and deliver large‑scale distributed systems, from design through to production deployment. - A track record of autonomous leadership, driving initiatives from conception to delivery while coordinating with distributed teammates. - Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to collaborate asynchronously across time zones. - Familiarity with multiple data storage systems such as Elasticsearch, Solr, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, or Cassandra, and an understanding of their trade‑offs. - Experience applying AI or machine learning techniques to optimise code, debug complex systems, or accelerate development. - Strong problem‑solving mindset, with the capacity to navigate ambiguous challenges and deliver elegant, production‑ready solutions. WHY REMOTE Elastic’s distributed culture is intentional, built on the belief that the best engineers can be anywhere. Teams collaborate across continents through email, GitHub, Zoom, and Slack, leveraging asynchronous workflows to maintain high productivity while respecting personal schedules. This model empowers individuals to work when they are most focused, reduces the need for rigid office hours, and enables a truly global talent pool that drives innovation. BENEFITS Elastic offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes full health, dental, and vision coverage; a generous paid time off policy; a remote work stipend; a learning and development budget; and participation in a 401(k) plan with company match. Additional perks include flexible work arrangements, wellness programs, and access to cutting‑edge tools and resources that support both professional growth and personal well‑being.