Senior Software Engineer – Search Algorithms, Elasticsearch

Elastic

. Lead initiatives within Elasticsearch to produce an industry-leading search engine offering with speed and relevance .

Posted 11/3/2026full-timeRemote • PortugalSenior💰 €55,800 - €88,300 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in Elasticsearch and Java, with a strong focus on developing search features and improving search relevance. Proven ability to collaborate effectively in distributed teams and drive projects from inception to completion.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Elasticsearch ExpertiseCore Java ProficiencySearch Algorithms ExperienceData Storage TechnologiesAI Development Utilization

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

JavaElasticsearchHNSWIVFData StructuresConcurrency ConstructsSearch PlatformsAPIsAlgorithmsVector Databases

Soft Skills

CollaborationAutonomous WorkFeedback ReceptionCommunicationProject Guidance

Tools & Technologies

SolrPostgreSQLMongoDBCassandraSource Control WorkflowsContinuous Integration

Industry Keywords

Search EngineOpen Source ProjectsCross-Functional InitiativesAsynchronous CommunicationTechnical Design

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

CassandraElasticSearchJavaMongoDBOpen SourcePostgres

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Lead initiatives within Elasticsearch to produce an industry-leading search engine offering with speed and relevance
Contribute full time to Elasticsearch by building new search features and fixing bugs
Improve code understandability
Invent or implement algorithms and data structures
Work close to the operating system and hardware when needed
Collaborate with a globally distributed team focused on Elasticsearch vector search capabilities
Act as an expert on Elasticsearch search relevance and identify and drive improvements
Work with community members worldwide on issues and pull requests, including triage, handoff, and resolution
Write idiomatic modern Java

Requirements

What you’ll need

Professional experience with search or vector databases
Experience using HNSW, IVF, or other relevant algorithms and libraries on search platforms at scale
Solid skills in core Java, including the standard library of data structures and concurrency constructs and features like lambdas
Ability to take on projects and guide them from beginning to end, including technical design and developing needed components with other engineers
Experience developing collaboratively and giving and receiving feedback on code, approaches, and APIs
Experience with data storage technologies such as Elasticsearch, Solr, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, or Cassandra
Proven track record of using AI to accelerate development, debug complex systems, and optimize code while owning final outcomes
Ability to collaborate across functions and teams and transition between projects, codebases, or teams based on business priorities
Ability to work autonomously and drive decisions and results in a distributed team through asynchronous, direct, and transparent communication
Bonus: Experience building with Elasticsearch
Bonus: Experience with open source projects, source control workflows, and continuous integration
Bonus: Experience designing, leading, and owning cross-functional initiatives

Benefits

Comp & perks

Competitive pay based on the work you do here and not your previous salary
Health coverage for you and your family in many locations
Ability to craft your calendar with flexible locations and schedules for many roles
Generous number of vacation days each year
We match up to $2000 (or local currency equivalent) for financial donations and service
Up to 40 hours each year to use toward volunteer projects you love
Minimum of 16 weeks of parental leave