PitchMeAI Jobs
Elastic

Principal Software Engineer - Search Algorithms - Elasticsearch

Elastic · United States

Posted 20 days ago

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 will work on the Elasticsearch - Search team, focusing on enhancing vector similarity search functionality. Responsibilities include designing and implementing new features, fixing bugs, and collaborating with a globally distributed team. The role requires writing modern Java code and contributing to the overall improvement of Elasticsearch's search capabilities.

Our read on this posting3.6out of 5
benefits
5/5
freshness
4/5
career value
4/5
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, using algorithms like HNSW or IVF on search platforms at scale.
  • 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, especially in a collaborative environment.
  • Proven track record of using AI to accelerate development and optimize code.

Nice to have

  • Experience with Elasticsearch or open source projects.
  • Familiarity with various data storage technologies like Solr, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, or Cassandra.
  • Experience designing and leading cross-functional initiatives.

What you get

  • Competitive pay based on the work you do, not previous salary.
  • Health coverage for you and your family 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

  • The role emphasizes asynchronous collaboration, which may be challenging for some candidates.
  • The job requires a high level of autonomy and self-direction, which may not suit everyone.
  • No variable compensation component is mentioned, only base salary and stock options.
  • The salary range provided is broad, and actual compensation may vary based on multiple factors.

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.

More roles at Elastic

All 372 open roles at Elastic →