Senior Software Engineer – Search Algorithms, Elasticsearch

Elastic

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

Posted 11/3/2026full-timeRemote • SwitzerlandSeniorWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in Elasticsearch and Java, with a strong focus on building and optimizing search features and algorithms. Proven ability to collaborate effectively in distributed teams while driving technical initiatives and improvements.

Highest-signal resume keywords

ElasticsearchCore JavaSearch AlgorithmsVector DatabasesData Storage Technologies

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Search AlgorithmsCore JavaConcurrency ConstructsData StructuresHNSWIVFElasticsearchSolrPostgreSQLMongoDB

Soft Skills

Autonomous WorkCollaborationCommunicationProject GuidanceDecision Making

Tools & Technologies

ElasticsearchSolrPostgreSQLMongoDBCassandraContinuous IntegrationSource-Control Workflows

Industry Keywords

Search EngineVector SearchOpen-Source ProjectsAsynchronous CommunicationTechnical Design

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

CassandraElasticSearchJavaMongoDBPostgres

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Lead initiatives within Elasticsearch to produce an industry-leading search engine with speed and relevance
Build new search features and fix bugs in Elasticsearch
Improve code understandability and, when needed, invent or implement algorithms and data structures
Work close to the operating system and hardware when required
Collaborate with a globally distributed team focused on Elasticsearch vector search capabilities
Identify and drive improvements in Elasticsearch search relevance
Work with global community members 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 standard data structures, concurrency constructs, and lambdas
Ability to work autonomously and guide projects from beginning to end
Experience collaborating on technical designs, 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
Ability to drive decisions and results in a distributed team using asynchronous, direct, and transparent communication
Bonus: experience building with Elasticsearch; open-source projects; source-control workflows; continuous integration; data storage technology; 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
Elastic matches up to $2000 (or local currency equivalent) for financial donations and service
Up to 40 hours each year for volunteer projects
Minimum of 16 weeks of parental leave
Inclusive culture and accessibility accommodations