Senior Software Engineer - Search

Workiva’s Search Team powers how customers find and interact with information across our platform. As a Senior Software Engineer on this team, you’ll design and build backend services in Java on top of OpenSearch, enabling everything from full-text document search to semantic and natural language search to support our Generative AI initiatives. You’ll take ownership of projects, collaborate in a highly interactive and supportive remote environment, and help shape the future of intelligent search at Workiva.

What You’ll Do

• 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

What You’ll Need

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering or a related technical field

• 2+ years of experience in software development or related field

Preferred Qualifications 

• 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

Working Conditions & Travel Requirements

• Minimal (<10%) travel for team jams or engineering wide conferences

• Reliable internet access for remote working opportunities

How You’ll Be Rewarded

✅ A discretionary bonus typically paid annually

✅ Restricted Stock Units granted at time of hire

✅ 401(k) match and comprehensive employee benefits package

The salary range represents the low and high end of the salary range for this job in the US. Minimums and maximums may vary based on location. The actual salary offer will carefully consider a wide range of factors, including your skills, qualifications, experience and other relevant factors.

Employment decisions are made without regard to age, race, creed, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, disability status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, citizenship status or any other protected characteristic.

Workiva is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. To request assistance with the application process, please email talentacquisition@workiva.com.
 

Workiva employees are required to undergo comprehensive security and privacy training tailored to their roles, ensuring adherence to company policies and regulatory standards.

Workiva supports employees in working where they work best - either from an office or remotely from any location within their country of employment.