Job Description
Position Details:
We are looking for a Lead Search Engineer to join the Search Engine team. Our team is comprised of varying levels of experience and backgrounds. As a Lead Search Engineer in one of our search teams, you can expect to work with other Software Engineers, Architects and Analysts to develop products and deliver solutions in a cloud environment and working with Technical Product Managers by helping with the execution of product roadmaps and backlog priorities. As data volumes grow and user queries become more complex, we need someone with deep expertise in search technologies like Elasticsearch, Apache SOLR, or Lucene to push our infrastructure to the next level. You will report to an Engineering Manager.
You Will:
- Lead the transition from legacy SOLR infrastructure to modern, semantic, and hybrid search solutions leveraging AWS. Drive roadmap planning in collaboration with product and ML leadership.
- Developing Search Algorithms: Implementing advanced search algorithms that can process large datasets quickly and accurately, leveraging search engine features such as vector.
- Performance Tuning: Continuously testing and optimizing the performance of the search engine to improve query response times, accuracy, and relevancy based on defined metrics.
- Collaborate with your Tech Lead, Engineering Manager, Product Manager, and UX to make sure requirements are clear and we’re taking the best technical approaches.
- Work in a collaborative team environment with a focus on continuous improvement and learning.
You Have:
- Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience in computer science or a related field.
- 5+ years’ experience as a Software Engineer required.
- Experience deploying software to the public cloud (AWS, GCP, or Azure).
- Have prior hands-on software development experience (Java/AWS preferred).
- Experience modernizing large-scale search systems.
Salary/ Rate: $25-$30/hour (depends on experience level). This is a contract position with candidates expected to work 40 hours/ week.
About the Company
Peterson Technology Partners (PTP) is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to creating a transparent, inclusive, and human-centered hiring experience.
For more than 28 years, PTP has operated as one of the top IT staffing and recruiting firms in the USA—built on trust, long-term partnerships, and technical excellence.
Based in the Chicago suburb of Park Ridge, IL, our team of more than 500 employees and consultants is dedicated to:
Helping every client make the best hiring decisions possible
Matching professionals with the right IT jobs and career opportunities
As part of that commitment, we believe in providing clear information about how our hiring technologies work and how your data is used. The following section outlines our AI-assisted interview process and your rights as a candidate.
AI-Assisted Interview Experience (Pete & Gabi – Rebecca)
To provide a consistent, fair, and flexible experience for all candidates, we use AI-assisted tools to support parts of the interview process. This includes our proprietary AI platform Pete & Gabi, which includes AI recruiter Rebecca.
These AI hiring tools help us:
- Transcribe interviews
- Summarize candidate responses
- Generate job-related insights
- Streamline communication and scheduling
Please note that:
The AI does NOT make hiring decisions; all decisions are made by our human recruiters, hiring managers, or client partners.
The AI does not evaluate facial expressions, emotions, or physical traits; it is used only to support fairness, consistency, and efficiency.
If you prefer a non-AI interview format, we will gladly provide an alternative.
Technical or Case Interviews (Role-Dependent):
When applying for certain tech jobs, you may participate in:
- A technical interview
- A coding challenge
- A case study
- A client-specific assessment
We will always explain what to expect in advance so you can prepare with confidence.
Human Review & Selection:
Every candidate's profile—including interviews, conversations, and assessments—is reviewed by experienced recruiters and hiring leaders.
AI insights may assist with organization and evaluation, but final decisions are always human-driven.
Your Rights as a Candidate:
At PTP, every candidate has the right to:
Request a non-AI interview path
Ask how your data is being used
Request access to transcripts or interview recordings
Request deletion of your AI-recorded interview
Receive clear, timely communication
Our goal is to ensure you feel respected, informed, and supported throughout your experience.
Our Commitment:
For more than 28 years, PTP has focused on putting people first—candidates, consultants, employees, and clients.
We're committed to a hiring process that is:
- Transparent
- Compliant
- Equitable
- Powered by innovative technology that enhances—not replaces—human judgment
Welcome to the future of hiring at Peterson Technology Partners.
We're excited to learn more about you.
Equal Employment Opportunity:
Peterson Technology Partners is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.
