Principal Software Engineer (Vector Search)

TL;DR

Principal Software Engineer (Java/Vector Search): Enhancing vector similarity search functionality within hirify.globalsearch and Lucene with an accent on design and implementation of high-performance search features. Focus on inventing new algorithms or data structures, optimizing system-level performance, and scaling vector database capabilities.

Location: Remote in Spain, Canada, USA, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, or UK

Company

hirify.global is the Search AI Company providing cloud-based solutions for search, security, and observability used by over 50% of the Fortune 500.

What you will do

• Lead initiatives to create an industry-leading vector database offering within hirify.globalsearch.
• Develop new search features and resolve complex bugs in hirify.globalsearch and Lucene.
• Implement novel algorithms and data structures, occasionally working close to the operating system and hardware.
• Serve as the subject matter expert for vector similarity and search relevance.
• Collaborate with a global team and the open-source community on issues and pull requests.
• Write idiomatic modern Java for the core hirify.globalsearch engine.

Requirements

• Experience implementing novel vector similarity techniques on large-scale search platforms or academic research in the field.
• Professional expertise with vector databases and algorithms like HNSW or IVF.
• Strong core Java skills, including concurrency and the standard data structures library.
• Ability to lead technical designs and projects autonomously from inception to completion.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills for asynchronous global collaboration.
• Must be located in one of the supported countries: Spain, Canada, USA, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, or UK

Nice to have

• Prior experience building with hirify.globalsearch.
• Contribution to open-source projects and familiarity with CI/CD workflows.
• Experience designing and owning cross-functional initiatives.

Culture & Benefits

• Distributed-by-intention culture with flexible locations and schedules.
• Competitive pay independent of previous salary.
• Family health coverage in many locations.
• Generous annual vacation allowance.
• Company matching for financial donations up to $2000.
• Minimum of 16 weeks of parental leave.