or apply directly on Elastic's site. We never take the application ourselves.
Is this posting real?
- This role has been open
- 20 days Elastic's roles stay open a median of 32 days
- Reposted
- No
- Salary listed
- No 0% of Elastic's roles list one
- Ghost-job risk at Elastic
- low 0 stale, 5 reposted of 372 open
- Hiring momentum
- 495 roles opened in the last 90 days ↑ up vs. the prior 90 days
- Last confirmed on the employer's board
- 2026-09-17
Measured from postings appearing on and disappearing from Elastic's own greenhouse board since 2026-08-03. Full hiring picture for Elastic.
About this role
The Principal Software Engineer for Elasticsearch will focus on enhancing vector similarity search functionality, including designing and implementing new features and resolving bugs. This role involves leading initiatives to improve the search experience, collaborating with a globally distributed team, and writing modern Java code. The engineer will also engage with the community on issues and pull requests, contributing to the development of an industry-leading vector database offering.
- benefits
- 4/5
- freshness
- 4/5
- career value
- 5/5
- role clarity
- 5/5
- pay transparency
- 0/5
Scored from the posting itself — how clearly the role is described, how much it says about pay and benefits, and how recently it was listed. Not a judgement of Elastic as an employer.
What you need
- Professional experience with vector similarity and vector databases, including algorithms like HNSW and IVF
- Strong skills in core Java and familiarity with data structures and concurrency constructs
- Ability to work autonomously and guide projects from beginning to end
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Proven track record of using AI to accelerate development and optimize code
- Experience with data storage technologies like Elasticsearch, Solr, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, or Cassandra
Nice to have
- Experience building with Elasticsearch
- Familiarity with open source projects and source control workflows
- Experience designing and leading cross-functional initiatives
What you get
- Competitive pay based on work performed
- Health coverage for employees and families in many locations
- Flexible locations and schedules for many roles
- Generous vacation days each year
- Financial donation matching up to $2000
- Up to 40 hours per year for volunteer projects
Worth weighing
- No variable compensation component mentioned
- Salary range provided, but specific figures may vary based on experience and other factors
- Role involves significant collaboration over the internet, which may be challenging for some
- Position requires a high level of autonomy and self-direction
Summarised from Elastic's posting. Read the full original.
Listed by Elastic on their greenhouse job board, last confirmed open on 2026-09-17. PitchMeAI is not the employer.
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