Principal Software Developer - Storage Engine - Elasticsearch

Elastic, the Search AI Company, enables everyone to find answers in real time using all their data at scale. The Elastic Search AI Platform is used by more than 50% of the Fortune 500.

We are looking for a Principal Software Developer to join the Elasticsearch - Storage Engine team. This globally distributed, fully remote team develops core storage and query technologies for observability workloads, including improving storage efficiency, advancing ES|QL query processing, and optimizing data layouts for object storage. The role is responsible for driving technical vision, architecture, and design of Elasticsearch's core storage and query engine.

• Lead architectural evolution of core storage engine components, resolving performance bottlenecks in indexing layouts, serialization formats, and resource utilization.
• Lead cross-organizational initiatives for observability solutions.
• Work with a globally distributed team on logs and metrics capabilities.
• Drive operational improvements and best practices for clean coding.
• Serve as subject matter expert across Elasticsearch, mentoring the engineering organization.
• Triage and resolve issues and pull requests with the global community.
• Write idiomatic modern Java (Elasticsearch is 99.8% Java).

• Ability to collaborate across functions and teams, work autonomously in a distributed team.
• Proven track record of using AI to accelerate development, debug complex systems, and optimize code.
• Prompt-engineering mindset to leverage AI agents effectively.
• Implemented novel techniques for indexing, storing, and querying time-series or logs data.
• Experience with data storage technologies like Elasticsearch, Solr, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, or Prometheus.
• Strong core Java skills, deep understanding of concurrency primitives, and ability to design efficient data structures and algorithms.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.

• Built with Elasticsearch before.
• Worked with open source projects and CI.
• Experience with data storage technology.
• Experience designing and leading cross-functional initiatives.
• Past experience with database, search engine, OS, or cloud service development.

Base salary only, no variable component. Typical starting salary range: $154,000—$243,600 CAD. Eligible for Elastic's stock program.

• Company-matched RRSP (dollar-for-dollar up to 6% of eligible earnings).
• Health coverage for you and your family.
• Flexible locations and schedules.
• Generous vacation days.
• Up to $2000 match for financial donations and service.
• Up to 40 hours volunteer time.
• Minimum 16 weeks parental leave.