Principal Software Engineer - Search Scaling - Elasticsearch in London

Principal Software Engineer - Search Scaling - Elasticsearch in London

London Full-Time 80000 - 100000 £ / year (est.) Working from home possible
The Consulting Solutions

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead the evolution of search capabilities and improve search infrastructure with innovative solutions.
  • Company: Join Elastic, a leader in search technology with a global team.
  • Benefits: Competitive pay, health coverage, flexible schedules, and generous vacation days.
  • Other info: Inclusive culture with excellent career growth and volunteer opportunities.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on search technology while working with cutting-edge tools.
  • Qualifications: Experience in search infrastructure, strong Java skills, and mentoring abilities.

The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.

Join Elastic’s Elasticsearch - Search Scaling team as a globally distributed Principal Software Engineer. This role focuses on delivering a robust, feature‑rich search experience and improving the search infrastructure in Lucene.

Responsibilities

  • Define, lead, and contribute to the evolution of core search and indexing capabilities.
  • Research advances in search infrastructure, data structures, and retrieval algorithms to build efficient foundations.
  • Collaborate with partners and product teams to shape the long‑term technical vision for search at Elastic.
  • Drive an innovative roadmap for indexing, query execution, and relevance layers.
  • Act as the go‑to expert in core search domains and continuously improve them.

Qualifications

  • Experience leading technical projects in search infrastructure and distributed systems.
  • Proven knowledge in building and operating sophisticated search platforms and high‑performance software.
  • Experience mentoring senior engineers, providing technical and professional guidance.
  • Hands‑on experience with Elasticsearch, Lucene, Solr, or similar indexing technologies.
  • Strong Java skills and familiarity with advanced data structures, concurrency, and modern language features.
  • Ability to work autonomously, guiding projects from concept to completion.
  • Experience with large‑scale data or search systems and understanding of their inner workings.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Benefits

  • Competitive pay based on the work performed.
  • Health coverage for you and your family in many locations.
  • Flexible work schedule and calendar options.
  • Generous vacation days per year.
  • Match up to $2,000 (or local currency equivalent) for financial donations and service.
  • Up to 40 hours per year to use toward volunteer projects.
  • At least 16 weeks of parental leave.

EEO Statement and Legal Information

Elastic is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to creating an inclusive culture that celebrates different perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, marital status, protected veteran status, disability status, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local law, ordinance or regulation. We welcome individuals with disabilities and strive to create an accessible and inclusive experience for all individuals.

Principal Software Engineer - Search Scaling - Elasticsearch in London employer: The Consulting Solutions

Elastic is an exceptional employer that fosters a culture of innovation and collaboration, making it an ideal place for Principal Software Engineers to thrive. With competitive pay, comprehensive health coverage, and generous vacation days, employees enjoy a healthy work-life balance while contributing to cutting-edge search technologies. The company also prioritises professional growth, offering mentorship opportunities and support for community engagement through volunteer projects.

The Consulting Solutions

Contact Details:

The Consulting Solutions Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Principal Software Engineer - Search Scaling - Elasticsearch in London

Join Local Tech Meetups

Get out there and mingle with fellow developers by joining local tech meetups. It’s a fantastic way to meet people who might be working at The Consulting Solutions or know someone who does. Plus, you can pick up some trendy tech skills and trends while you're at it!

Contribute to Open Source Projects

Show off your coding chops by jumping into open-source projects. Not only does this give you practical experience, but it also gets you noticed in the dev community. You'll create a killer portfolio that speaks volumes about your skills to The Consulting Solutions.

Tap into Online Developer Communities

Don’t underestimate the power of online developer communities like GitHub, Stack Overflow, and even Reddit. Participate in discussions, share your projects, and build your visibility. We can often find opportunities through these channels that can lead to a full-time gig at companies like The Consulting Solutions.

Explore Job Boards Specifically for Tech Roles

Keep your eyes peeled on job boards that focus on tech roles. Sites like TechCareers or Stack Overflow Jobs can often have listings for companies like The Consulting Solutions that might not show up on broader job sites. Make it a habit to check these regularly, and don’t hesitate to apply directly through our website!

We think you need these skills to ace Principal Software Engineer - Search Scaling - Elasticsearch in London

Elasticsearch
Lucene
Solr
Java
Search Infrastructure
Distributed Systems
Data Structures

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show off your coding skills:When applying for a software engineering role, it's super important to showcase your coding skills. Make sure your CV includes your tech stack, any relevant programming languages you’re comfortable with, and examples of projects you've worked on. If you have a GitHub profile, link it up! We love to see code in action.

Tailor your portfolio:For a full-time role, we’d expect to see some solid examples of your work in your portfolio. Make sure to include at least two or three projects that highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to work with different technologies. Focus on the projects that are most relevant to the position at The Consulting Solutions.

Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at The Consulting Solutions and how your skills align with the role. Show us your passion for software development. We dig enthusiastic candidates who understand the value of collaboration and continuous learning!

Be clear and concise:When it comes to writing your CV and cover letter, clarity is key. Avoid jargon that could confuse us and stick to simple, direct language. Highlight your achievements with quantifiable results where possible, and keep everything easy to read. A well-organised application goes a long way!

How to prepare for a job interview at The Consulting Solutions

Brush Up on Your Coding Skills

For a full-time software engineering role, it's crucial that we stay sharp with our coding abilities. Expect technical questions that might involve solving problems on the spot or discussing algorithms. Practise on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get comfortable with the types of questions that often come up.

Know Your Tools and Frameworks

Make sure we’re well-acquainted with the tools and technologies listed in the job description. Familiarise ourselves with any specific frameworks or programming languages mentioned. If The Consulting Solutions uses React or Node.js, for instance, be ready to discuss how we’ve used them in previous projects or coursework.

Showcase Your Projects

Bring along a portfolio that highlights our best work. This could be code samples, GitHub repositories, or any side projects we’ve built. Make sure we can talk through our thought process for each project, especially the challenges we faced and how we solved them—this shows our problem-solving skills in action.

Prepare for Behavioural Questions

While technical skills are key, full-time positions also require cultural fit. Be ready to discuss our previous experiences and how we handle teamwork, conflict, and deadlines. Brush up on the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to clearly articulate our past experiences when discussing how we've contributed to a team.