Principal Software Engineer (Java) - Security - Elasticsearch

VulnU; United Kingdom; Remote; GBP 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

16 weeks parental leave

Retirement match

Job summary

Elastic in the United Kingdom is seeking a Principal Software Engineer (Java) to lead the Elasticsearch Security team's architecture and feature design. You will own major security components, drive cryptographic solutions, and ensure robust data isolation across a distributed data store.

You will mentor engineers, collaborate with product and RT teams, and push for security-first development while leveraging AI tools to streamline vulnerability workflows.

Qualifications

• Proven experience designing and implementing scalable security in distributed systems.
• Expertise in Java performance, memory management, and thread safety.
• Strong knowledge of RBAC/ABAC models and token validation pipelines.
• Experience with OAuth 2.0 and SAML identity protocols.

Responsibilities

• Own core security initiatives from architecture to production.
• Lead the technical design for major security components inside the Elasticsearch core engine.
• Develop foundational security models for intricate features.
• Optimize security performance at scale in distributed systems environments.
• Apply cryptographic solutions to address real customer use cases.
• Ensure robust data isolation within shared infrastructure for multi-tenant environments.
• Monitor and apply latest security practices across authentication, identity, cryptography, and access control.
• Collaborate across teams to embed security into new features from the start.
• Drive vulnerability management with the InfoSec team and remediation actions.
• Leverage AI-driven tools to automate vulnerability triage and investigation, reducing manual effort.
• Mentor and coach engineers to foster security-first development.

Skills

Java internals

JVM memory management

Concurrency models

RBAC/ABAC design

OAuth 2.0

SAML

Security architecture

Distributed systems security

Job description

# Principal Software Engineer (Java) - Security - ElasticsearchElastic · elastic.coCategory: Security EngineeringLocation: United KingdomLevel: Staff / Principal## Quality of lifeWhat the posting states. Hover or tap a perk to see the line it came from.* 16 weeks parental leave* Retirement matchElastic, the Search AI Company, enables everyone to find the answers they need in real time, using all their data, at scale — unleashing the potential of businesses and people. The Elastic Search AI Platform, used by more than 50% of the Fortune 500, brings together the precision of search and the intelligence of AI to enable everyone to accelerate the results that matter. By taking advantage of all structured and unstructured data — securing and protecting private information more effectively — Elastic’s complete, cloud-based solutions for search, security, and observability help organizations deliver on the promise of AI.What is The RoleWe are seeking a Principal Software Developer to join the Elasticsearch Security team. In this role, you will lead the architecture and design of Elasticsearch's main features. These features include authentication, authorization, and tenant isolation.You will work with engineering and product leaders at Elastic. Your goal is to provide high-performance security at all levels. This includes ensuring that our distributed data store has top-quality security at scale.What You Will Be DoingOwning core security initiatives from architecture to production, focusing on the delivery of new critical features. Leading the technical design, plan, and execution for major security components inside the Elasticsearch core engine.Developing the foundational security models for intricate features.Optimizing security performance at scale in distributed systems environments.Applying cryptographic solutions to address genuine customer use cases.Ensuring robust data isolation within shared infrastructure supporting disparate customers.Monitoring and applying the latest advancements and best practices in security. This includes authentication, identity management, cryptography, and data access management.Collaborating with peers across the company to embed security into new customer features from the outset.Drive vulnerability management efforts by collaborating closely with the InfoSec team to proactively identify, assess, and remediate security risks.Leverage AI-driven tools to automate vulnerability triage, prioritization, and preliminary investigation, streamlining security workflows and reducing manual intervention.Mentoring and coaching other engineers, fostering a culture of technical excellence and security-first development.What You BringYou have deep knowledge of Java internals and JVM memory management. You understand how concurrency models work. You can write code that is high-performance, thread-safe, and lock-free. This experience includes working with large open-source and enterprise codebases.You have proven experience in designing and building systems for authorization that can scale. This includes deep experience designing scalable RBAC/ABAC models and token validation pipelines. It includes permission compilation and distributed cache invalidation strategies.You have a solid comprehension of distributed systems security, including node-to-node mutual trust, zero-trust transport, partition tolerance, and cluster state propagation.You have a deep knowledge of edge identity protocols (OAuth 2.0, SAML).You have a proven track record of using AI to accelerate development, debug complex systems, and optimize code, while still owning the final outcomes.You possess the ability to collaborate across functions and teams and seamlessly transition between different projects, codebases, or teams based on business prioritiesYou can work autonomously, drive decisions, and lead a distributed team by leveraging asynchronous, direct, and transparent communication.Bonus PointsKnowledge of cipher suites, TLS handshakes, and PKI/certificate lifecycle management.Cryptographic methods considering memory usage and delays.Familiarity with the implications of Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) and readiness to support the migration of services to quantum-resistant cryptographic algorithms.Hands-on experience mapping engine-level technical controls to FedRAMP (Moderate/High), FIPS 140, and SOC 2 requirements.Experience working on the internals of a data store or search engine.Additional Information - We Take Care of Our PeopleAs a distributed company, diversity drives our identity. Whether you’re looking to launch a new career or grow an existing one, Elastic is the type of company where you can balance great work with great life. Your age is only a number. It doesn’t matter if you’re just out of college or your children are; we need you for what you can do.We strive to have parity of benefits across regions and while regulations differ from place to place, we believe taking care of our people is the right thing to do.Competitive pay based on the work you do here and not your previous salaryHealth coverage for you and your family in many locationsAbility to craft your calendar with flexible locations and schedules for many rolesGenerous number of vacation days each yearIncrease your impact - We match up to $2000 (or local currency equivalent) for financial donations and serviceUp to 40 hours each year to use toward volunteer projects you loveEmbracing parenthood with minimum of 16 weeks of parental leaveDifferent people approach problems differently. We need that. 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 perception or 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. To request an accommodation during the application or the recruiting process, please email candidate\\[e-mail]. We will reply to your request within 24 business hours of submission.Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws, view posters linked below: Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) Poster; Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision Poster; Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA) Poster and Know Your Rights (Poster)Elasticsearch develops and distributes technology and information that is subject to U.S. and other countries’ export controls and licensing requirements for individuals who are located in or are nationals of the following sanctioned countries and regions: Belarus, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria, or Russia, including the Ukrainian territories annexed by Russia (The Crimea region of Ukraine, The Donetsk People's Republic (DNR), The Luhansk People's Republic (LNR), Kherson or Zaporizhzhia). If you are located in or are a national of one of the listed countries or regions, an export license may be required as a condition of your employment in this role. Please note that national origin and/or nationality do not affect eligibility for employment with Elastic.Please see here for our Privacy Statement.