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Search Engineer Jobs in Washington, DC (NOW HIRING)

VMD Corp

Elastic Search Engineer

Bethesda, MD · On-site

Description Elastic Search Engineer Xcelerate Solutions is seeking an Elastic Search Engineer. As an Elastic Search Engineer you'll help develop, deploy and maintain nosql databases as foundational ...

Via Logic LLC

Elastic Search Engineer

Bethesda, MD · On-site

$108 - $195/hr

Leidos is looking for our next TS/SCI-cleared Elastic Search Engineer to join a high-energy team building and deploying a cutting-edge technology stack to support our client's mission to centralize ...

Leidos

Elastic Search Engineer

Bethesda, MD · On-site

$107K - $195K/yr

Leidos is looking for our next TS/SCI-cleared Elastic Search Engineer to join a high-energy team building and deploying a cutting-edge technology stack to support our client's mission to centralize ...

Leidos

Elastic Search Engineer

Hyattsville, MD · On-site

$107K - $195K/yr

As an Elastic Search Engineer, you'll be a member of our platform engineering team and help develop, deploy and maintain nosql databases as foundational elements of our microservice eco-system using ...

Leidos

Elastic Search Engineer

Arlington, VA · On-site

$107K - $195K/yr

As an Elastic Search Engineer, you'll be a member of our platform engineering team and help develop, deploy and maintain nosql databases as foundational elements of our microservice eco-system using ...

Leidos

Elastic Search Engineer

Bethesda, MD · On-site

$107K - $195K/yr

As an Elastic Search Engineer, you'll be a member of our platform engineering team and help develop, deploy and maintain nosql databases as foundational elements of our microservice eco-system using ...

Leidos

Elastic Search Engineer

Washington, DC · On-site

$107K - $195K/yr

As an Elastic Search Engineer, you'll be a member of our platform engineering team and help develop, deploy and maintain nosql databases as foundational elements of our microservice eco-system using ...

Leidos

Elastic Search Engineer

Glen Echo, MD · On-site

$107K - $195K/yr

As an Elastic Search Engineer, you'll be a member of our platform engineering team and help develop, deploy and maintain nosql databases as foundational elements of our microservice eco-system using ...

Leidos

Elastic Search Engineer

Rockville, MD · On-site

$107K - $195K/yr

As an Elastic Search Engineer, you'll be a member of our platform engineering team and help develop, deploy and maintain nosql databases as foundational elements of our microservice eco-system using ...

Leidos

Elastic Search Engineer

Gaithersburg, MD · On-site

$107K - $195K/yr

As an Elastic Search Engineer, you'll be a member of our platform engineering team and help develop, deploy and maintain nosql databases as foundational elements of our microservice eco-system using ...

Leidos

Elastic Search Engineer

Takoma Park, MD · On-site

$107K - $195K/yr

As an Elastic Search Engineer, you'll be a member of our platform engineering team and help develop, deploy and maintain nosql databases as foundational elements of our microservice eco-system using ...

Leidos

Elastic Search Engineer

Bethesda, MD · On-site

$107K - $195K/yr

As an Elastic Search Engineer, you'll be a member of our platform engineering team and help develop, deploy and maintain nosql databases as foundational elements of our microservice eco-system using ...

Leidos

Elastic Search Engineer

Bethesda, MD

$107K - $195K/yr

Leidos is looking for our next TS/SCI-cleared Elastic Search Engineer to join a high-energy team building and deploying a cutting-edge technology stack to support our client's mission to centralize ...

Leidos

Elastic Search Engineer

Washington, DC · On-site

$107K - $195K/yr

As an Elastic Search Engineer, you'll be a member of our platform engineering team and help develop, deploy and maintain nosql databases as foundational elements of our microservice eco-system using ...

Leidos

Elastic Search Engineer

Chevy Chase, MD · On-site

$107K - $195K/yr

As an Elastic Search Engineer, you'll be a member of our platform engineering team and help develop, deploy and maintain nosql databases as foundational elements of our microservice eco-system using ...

Leidos

Elastic Search Engineer

Silver Spring, MD · On-site

$107K - $195K/yr

As an Elastic Search Engineer, you'll be a member of our platform engineering team and help develop, deploy and maintain nosql databases as foundational elements of our microservice eco-system using ...

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Search Engineer information

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$64

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How much do search engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 29, 2026, the average hourly pay for search engineer in Washington, DC is $80.17, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $69.23 and $92.31 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a search engineer?

Search Engineers are specialized software engineers who design, build, and improve search systems that help users find relevant information quickly and efficiently. Their work often involves developing algorithms for indexing, querying, and ranking large volumes of data, as well as optimizing search accuracy and speed. Search Engineers may also work with natural language processing, machine learning, and relevance tuning to enhance the user search experience on websites, apps, or internal databases.

What does a search engineer do?

A search engineer has two primary responsibilities: to develop and program search engines and to optimize web content to achieve the best possible rankings in search results. As a search engineer, your job duties depend on your employer. If you work for a search engine company, like Google or Bing, then your job is to create the web application and algorithms that index websites and web pages to aggregate and rank search results. If you work for an e-commerce website or another business reliant on products or services, then your focus is on website analysis, keyword research, and content marketing.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a search engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Search Engineer, you need a solid background in computer science, expertise in information retrieval, and strong programming skills, often supported by a relevant degree. Familiarity with search platforms like Elasticsearch or Solr, experience with large-scale distributed systems, and knowledge of ranking algorithms are typically required. Analytical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication distinguish top performers in this role. These skills are crucial for building efficient, relevant search experiences that meet both user and business needs.

How does a search engineer typically collaborate with other teams to improve search functionality?

Search Engineers often work closely with product managers, data scientists, and UX designers to understand user needs and analyze search performance. They collaborate with data engineering teams to ensure high-quality and well-structured data feeds, and frequently participate in cross-functional meetings to align on feature priorities and technical requirements. Effective communication skills are essential, as Search Engineers must translate complex technical concepts into actionable insights for non-technical stakeholders, ensuring that improvements enhance both search accuracy and overall user experience.

What is the difference between Search Engineer vs Data Scientist?

AspectSearch EngineerData Scientist
Required CredentialsBachelor's in CS, EE, or related; experience in search algorithmsBachelor's or higher in CS, Statistics, or related; strong analytical skills
Work EnvironmentTech companies, search engine teams, e-commerce platformsResearch labs, tech firms, finance, healthcare
Employer & Industry UsagePrimarily in search technology, e-commerce, and online servicesAcross industries like tech, finance, healthcare, and research

Search Engineers focus on developing and optimizing search algorithms and systems, while Data Scientists analyze data to extract insights and inform decisions. Both roles require strong technical skills, but Search Engineers are more specialized in search technology development, whereas Data Scientists work broadly with data analysis and modeling.

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What job categories do people searching Search Engineer jobs in Washington, DC look for?

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Search Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Search Engineer job openings in Washington, DC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 83% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 81% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 14% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $166,750 per year, or $80.2 per hour.

Elastic Search Engineer

Bethesda, MD • On-site, Remote

Xcelerate Solutions
Business Management Consulting • 201 - 500 employees
Learn more about Xcelerate Solutionsexternal

Full-time

Posted 5 days ago

Job description

Description
Elastic Search Engineer
Xcelerate Solutions is seeking an Elastic Search Engineer. As an Elastic Search Engineer you'll help develop, deploy and maintain nosql databases as foundational elements of our microservice eco-system using a Kubernetes as foundational platform. You'll also support the adoption of GitOps best practices across cross-functional engineering teams. In this fast-paced environment, you'll collaborate closely with systems engineering, architecture, development, security, operations, and integrations teams.
Location: Bethesda, MD
Clearance: Must have an active Top Secret/ SCI security clearance with the ability to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI with Polygraph security clearance
Responsibilities:
  • Deploy, triage, debug, and maintain production class databases like Elasticsearch and Redis
  • Design and support database configuration management strategies across air-gapped network fabrics
  • Partner with Systems Engineers to architect solutions for new capabilities
  • Contribute to operational monitoring capabilities to provide proactive system notifications
  • Contribute technical input to engineering documentation, diagrams, and models
  • Participate in Agile release planning, scrums, design sessions, bug triage, and related team activities

Minimum Requirements:
  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related technical field (or equivalent experience) with 8+ years of relevant experience; Master's degree with 6+ years of experience.
  • Active TS/SCI security clearance with the ability to obtain and maintain a Polygraph.
  • Current DoD 8570.01M IAT Level II (or higher) certification, such as Security+, CySA+, SSCP, CCNA Security, or CISSP (or Associate).
  • Ability to obtain and maintain Privileged User Account (PUA) certification.
  • Experience with Kubernetes and container platforms such as EKS, Rancher, or RKE2.
  • Experience with one or more of the following: Elasticsearch, Keycloak, Redis, Strimzi.
  • Experience working with open-source technologies and modern infrastructure platforms.
  • Experience hardening databases to comply with NIST 800-53 security controls.
  • Strong knowledge of Linux system administration.
  • Experience deploying, managing, and troubleshooting containerized applications.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills.
  • Ability to collaborate effectively with customers, engineers, architects, and cross-functional teams.
  • Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment with team members from diverse technical backgrounds.

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Experience with micro services architecture.
  • Proficiency in scripting for automation and operational tooling (UNIX shell, Perl, or similar).
  • Experience with Helm Chart templating.
  • Experience with ArgoCD
  • Knowledge of REST APIs, web services, networking, and internet protocols.
  • Experience and domain knowledge related to data processing.
  • Experience with big data applications.
  • Experience supporting DIA, NDOC, and/or D3P.
  • OSINT familiarity.

About Xcelerate Solutions:
Founded in 2009 and headquartered in McLean, VA, Xcelerate Solutions (www.xceleratesolutions.com) is one of America's fastest-growing companies. Xcelerate's culture is defined by our diversified workforce of dynamic and versatile professionals, supported with growth and development opportunities that contribute to individual and company growth. This strong commitment to our employees has been recognized by our inclusion on the Washington Business Journal's "50 Best Places to Work" list as well as being a "Great Place to Work" certified company with a 4.6 star, and a 99% CEO approval Glassdoor rating. Come find out why Xcelerate Solutions is one of the DC Metro top employers! Xcelerate Solutions is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, age, equal pay, disability, veteran status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, or expression of another protected characteristic. As part of this commitment to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals, Xcelerate provides reasonable accommodations if needed because of an applicant's or an employee's disability.
Pay Transparency Notice: Xcelerate Solutions will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant.

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