Senior Software Engineer - Search Relevance in ES|QL - Elasticsearch

Stack

Responsibilities

• ▹Lead initiatives to produce an industry-leading search engine offering
• ▹Build new search features and fix bugs while keeping the code easy to understand
• ▹Design and implement new algorithms or data structures, sometimes working close to the OS and hardware
• ▹Work with a globally distributed team on Elasticsearch's vector search capabilities
• ▹Act as an expert on search relevance and drive improvements based on data and instinct
• ▹Collaborate with community members on issues and pull requests
• ▹Write idiomatic modern Java (Elasticsearch is 99.8% Java)

Requirements

• ▹Professional experience with search or vector databases, using HNSW, IVF, or similar algorithms/libraries at scale
• ▹Solid core Java skills, familiarity with the standard library's data structures, concurrency constructs, and features like lambdas
• ▹High level of autonomy, able to guide projects from design through delivery
• ▹Comfort with collaborative development, giving and receiving feedback on code, approaches, and APIs
• ▹Experience with several data storage technologies (e.g., Elasticsearch, Solr, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, Cassandra)
• ▹Proven track record using AI to accelerate development, debug systems, and optimize code while owning outcomes
• ▹Ability to move seamlessly between projects, codebases, or teams based on business priorities
• ▹Ability to work autonomously and drive decisions in a distributed team via asynchronous, direct, transparent communication

Nice to have

• ▹Prior experience building things with Elasticsearch
• ▹Experience with open-source projects and various source control/CI workflows
• ▹Experience with data storage technology
• ▹Experience designing, leading, and owning cross-functional initiatives

Soft skills

What we offer

• ▹Competitive base salary (typical range €85,600–€135,500 EUR; base salary only, no variable component)
• ▹Health coverage for employees and their families in many locations
• ▹Flexible locations and schedules for many roles
• ▹Generous annual vacation days
• ▹Company match up to $2,000 for donations and service
• ▹Up to 40 hours per year of paid volunteer time
• ▹Minimum 16 weeks of parental leave

About the company

Elastic is the Search AI Company behind the Elastic Search AI Platform, used by more than half of the Fortune 500, combining search, security, and observability solutions, built by a distributed team collaborating across the globe.