Senior Software Engineer – Search

Workiva

. Design, build, and scale backend services in Java, integrated with OpenSearch .

Posted 9/15/2026full-timeRemote • United StatesSenior💰 $129,000 - $210,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in designing and scaling backend services using Java and AWS, with a strong focus on search engine technologies like OpenSearch and Kafka. Proven ability to optimize query performance and mentor team members through collaborative processes.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Java ProficiencyOpenSearch ExperienceAWS Cloud InfrastructureKafka Event StreamingIndexing and Query Optimization

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

JavaScalaKotlinOpenSearchElasticsearchSolrIndexing StrategiesQuery OptimizationNLP TechniquesAI/ML Concepts

Soft Skills

CollaborationCommunicationMentorship

Tools & Technologies

AWSKafka

Industry Keywords

Backend ServicesSearch InfrastructureDistributed Search PerformanceSemantic SearchRemote Work

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

AWSCloudElasticSearchJavaKafkaKotlinScala

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Design, build, and scale backend services in Java, integrated with OpenSearch
Develop indexing strategies, schema mappings, and optimized query patterns for large datasets
Support Workiva’s GenAI and RAG endpoints, enabling semantic and natural language search features
Leverage AWS cloud infrastructure and Kafka event streaming for scalable systems
Monitor, tune, and debug search infrastructure for performance, reliability, and accuracy
Partner with cross-functional teams to deliver search-driven features that meet customer needs
Provide mentorship through code reviews, technical guidance, and collaboration
Lead well-scoped projects, define milestones, and improve team processes

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering or a related technical field
2+ years of experience in software development or related field
Proficiency in Java or another JVM language (e.g., Scala, Kotlin)
Experience with search engines such as OpenSearch, Elasticsearch, or Solr
Strong understanding of indexing, query optimization, and distributed search performance
Hands-on experience designing and scaling backend services in a cloud environment (AWS preferred)
Kafka or other event streaming experience
Familiarity with semantic search, embeddings, or NLP techniques
Exposure to AI/ML concepts, particularly around ranking or search relevance
Strong collaboration and communication skills in a remote-first, video-driven culture
Reliable internet access for remote working opportunities
Employees are required to undergo comprehensive security and privacy training tailored to their roles

Benefits

Comp & perks

Discretionary bonus typically paid annually
Restricted Stock Units granted at time of hire
401(k) match
Comprehensive employee benefits package
Minimal (<10%) travel for team jams or engineering-wide conferences
Remote work opportunities
Work from an office or remotely from any location within the employee’s country of employment
Reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities