Senior Software Engineer – Search Algorithms, Elasticsearch

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in United States.

📋 Description

• Become a member of the Elasticsearch Search Relevance team to enhance search experiences and contribute to Lucene.

• Play a pivotal role in shaping the technical direction and vision for search functionalities.

• Design and implement innovative search features and enhancements.

• Address bugs and enhance code clarity.

• Lead initiatives within Elasticsearch to deliver speed and relevance in search results.

• Develop search features, troubleshoot issues, and create algorithms or data structures.

• Collaborate closely with the operating system and hardware as necessary.

• Work alongside globally distributed engineers who specialize in vector search.

• Identify opportunities for improving Elasticsearch search relevance.

• Engage with global community members on issues and pull requests, including triaging, handoff, and resolution.

• Write idiomatic modern Java.

⛳️ Requirements

• Professional experience with search or vector databases.

• Familiarity with algorithms and libraries such as HNSW, IVF, or others relevant to search platforms at scale.

• Strong expertise in core Java.

• Understanding of Java standard-library data structures and concurrency constructs, including lambdas.

• Capability to manage projects from inception to completion, including technical design and component development.

• Experience in collaborative software development, including providing feedback on code and APIs.

• Familiarity with data storage technologies like Elasticsearch, Solr, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, or Cassandra.

• Proven ability to use AI to enhance development processes, debug complex systems, and optimize code while taking ownership of final outcomes.

• Ability to work collaboratively across functions and teams, and transition between projects, codebases, or teams effectively.

• Strong capacity to influence decisions and achieve results in a distributed team through asynchronous, direct, and transparent communication.

• Bonus: Experience in building applications with Elasticsearch.

• Bonus: Background in open-source contributions and familiarity with source control workflows and continuous integration.

• Bonus: Experience with various data storage technologies.

• Bonus: Proven experience in designing, leading, and managing cross-functional initiatives.

🏝️ Benefits

• Participation in the Elastic stock program.

• Company-matched 401(k) with dollar-for-dollar matching up to 6% of eligible earnings.

• Health coverage for you and your family in numerous locations.

• Flexible work locations and schedules available for many positions.

• Generous vacation days provided each year.

• Up to $2000 (or local currency equivalent) matching for financial donations and services.

• Up to 40 hours each year for volunteer projects.

• A minimum of 16 weeks of parental leave.

• Competitive compensation based on work performed, not prior salary.

• Accessibility accommodations available during the application or recruitment process.