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 community members on issues and pull requests, contributing to the overall development of Elasticsearch.
- benefits
- 4/5
- freshness
- 4/5
- career value
- 4/5
- role clarity
- 4/5
- 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
- Experience implementing novel techniques in vector similarity on a search platform or in academic research
- Professional experience with vector similarity and vector databases, using algorithms like HNSW or 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
Nice to have
- Experience building with Elasticsearch
- Familiarity with open source projects and continuous integration
- Experience designing and leading cross-functional initiatives
What you get
- Competitive pay based on the work you do
- Health coverage for you and your family
- Flexible locations and schedules
- Generous vacation days
- Financial donation matching up to $2000
- Up to 40 hours per year for volunteer projects
Worth weighing
- No specific mention of remote work policies or expectations
- The role requires high autonomy and collaboration, which may be challenging for some candidates
- The compensation structure is based on market benchmarks and internal equity, but lacks a variable component
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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