Principal Software Engineer - Vector Search - Elasticsearch

Elastic, the Search AI Company, enables everyone to find the answers they need in real time, using all their data, at scale. The Elastic Search AI Platform, used by more than 50% of the Fortune 500, brings together the precision of search and the intelligence of AI. We are looking for a Principal Software Engineer to join the Elasticsearch - Search team. This globally-distributed team focuses on delivering a robust and feature-rich search experience, including contributing to improving the search experience in Lucene. This role focuses on enhancing the vector similarity search functionality within Elasticsearch, covering the design and implementation of new vector search features, enhancements to existing vector search functionality, and resolving bugs.

• Lead initiatives within Elasticsearch to produce an industry-leading vector database offering, supplying unparalleled speed and relevance in search.
• Contribute to Elasticsearch full time, building new search features and fixing bugs, while making the code easier to understand.
• Invent or implement new algorithms or data structures as needed.
• 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.
• Work with community members on issues and pull requests, triaging and handling them.
• Write idiomatic modern Java — Elasticsearch is 99.8% Java.

• Implemented novel techniques in vector similarity on a search platform with a large user base or progressed academic research in vector similarity information retrieval.
• Professional experience with vector similarity and vector databases, using HNSW, IVF, or other relevant algorithms and libraries on search platforms at scale.
• Strong skills in core Java, conversant in the standard library of data structures and concurrency constructs, and other features like lambdas.
• High level of autonomy, able to take on projects from beginning to end, including technical design and working with other engineers.
• Comfortable developing collaboratively, giving and receiving feedback on code, approaches, and APIs.
• Used several data storage technologies like Elasticsearch, Solr, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, or Cassandra.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Proven track record of using AI to accelerate development, debug complex systems, and optimize code, while owning final outcomes.
• Ability to collaborate across functions and teams, and transition between projects, codebases, or teams based on business priorities.
• Work autonomously and drive decisions in a distributed team via asynchronous, direct, and transparent communication.

• Built things with Elasticsearch before.
• Worked with open source projects and familiar with different styles of source control workflow and continuous integration.
• Experience with data storage technology.
• Experience designing, leading, and owning cross-functional initiatives.

Compensation is in the form of base salary. This role does not have a variable compensation component. The typical starting salary range for this role is $154,000—$243,600 CAD. In addition to cash compensation, this role is currently eligible to participate in Elastic's stock program. The total rewards package includes a company-matched Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) with dollar-for-dollar matching up to 6% of eligible earnings, along with a range of other benefits. Additional benefits include: competitive pay, health coverage for you and your family in many locations, flexible locations and schedules for many roles, generous number of vacation days each year, up to $2000 match for financial donations and service, up to 40 hours each year for volunteer projects, and minimum of 16 weeks of parental leave.

Elastic is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to creating an inclusive culture. We welcome individuals with disabilities and strive to create an accessible and inclusive experience. To request an accommodation, email candidate_accessibility@elastic.co. Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws. Elasticsearch develops and distributes technology subject to U.S. and other countries' export controls. Please see here for our Privacy Statement.