Principal Software Engineer - Vector Search - Elasticsearch

Requirements

• You have implemented novel techniques in vector similarity on a search platform with a large user base or progressed the field of academic research in vector similarity information retrieval.
• Professional experience with vector similarity and vector databases, and you used HNSW, IVF, or other relevant algorithms and libraries on search platforms at scale.
• You have strong skills in core Java and are conversant in the standard library of data structures and concurrency constructs, as well as other features like lambdas.
• You work with a high level of autonomy and are able to take on projects and guide them from beginning to end
• You're comfortable developing collaboratively and have experience with data storage technologies like Elasticsearch, Solr, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, or Cassandra
• You have excellent verbal and written communication skills
• You have a proven track record of using AI to accelerate development, debug complex systems, and optimize code
• You possess the ability to collaborate across functions and teams and seamlessly transition between different projects, codebases, or teams based on business priorities
• You work autonomously and can drive decisions and results in a distributed team by leveraging asynchronous, direct, and transparent communication

What You'll Be Doing

• Lead initiatives within Elasticsearch to produce an industry-leading vector database offering
• Contribute to Elasticsearch full time, building new search features and fixing bugs
• Work with a globally distributed team of experienced engineers focused on vector search capabilities
• Be an expert on how Elasticsearch implements vector similarity in support of search relevance
• Write idiomatic modern Java and work on community issues and pull requests

Perks and Benefits

• Competitive pay based on the work you do here and not your previous salary
• Health coverage for you and your family in many locations
• Ability to craft your calendar with flexible locations and schedules for many roles
• Generous number of vacation days each year
• Financial donation matching and volunteer project hours
• Embracing parenthood with minimum of 16 weeks of parental leave