Explore Jobs in United States Lead Software Engineer roles at Grainger in Chicago, IL. Build scalable search infrastructures, collaborate with data science teams, and optimize user experiences using advanced search algorithms.

Jobs in United States Lead Software Engineer: Join Grainger in Chicago, IL

Job Overview

Position: Lead Software Engineer
Location: Chicago, IL, USA
Company: Grainger Businesses
Category: Software Engineering, Data Engineering
Employment Type: Hybrid

Grainger, a leading industrial distributor, is seeking a Lead Software Engineer to enhance and scale the company’s search infrastructure. This role involves working with advanced search technologies, machine learning integration, and building efficient data pipelines. Grainger is known for fostering an inclusive workplace and has been recognized as a 2024 Glassdoor Best Place to Work.

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Key Responsibilities

Develop Advanced Search Algorithms

• Implement advanced search algorithms using technologies like Elasticsearch, Solr, and vector search.
• Optimize search results with natural language processing (NLP) and personalization to improve user relevance and experience.

Collaborate with Cross-Functional Teams

• Partner with data engineering and data science teams to integrate machine learning models into the search infrastructure.
• Work with product and business teams to refine search results based on business goals such as conversion and retention.

Build Scalable Data Pipelines

• Develop and maintain efficient, low-latency data pipelines to support real-time search queries.
• Optimize indexing processes and ensure data flow is scalable and seamless.

Search Infrastructure and Performance Optimization

• Enhance search infrastructure to scale effectively and meet increasing data demands.
• Continuously monitor and optimize the search engine’s performance for improved query response times and accuracy.

Lead and Mentor the Team

• Provide technical leadership and guidance to other engineers.
• Lead cross-functional projects and collaborate with various teams, including data science, infrastructure, and engineering.

Experimentation and A/B Testing

• Implement frameworks for A/B testing to validate changes to search algorithms.
• Analyze results and make data-driven decisions to optimize search functionalities.

Required Qualifications

Experience and Skills

• 8+ years of experience with search engines like Elasticsearch, Solr, or similar platforms.
• Strong programming skills in Java, Python, or Scala for search and data engineering solutions.
• Expertise in distributed systems and building custom search applications from scratch.
• Experience with A/B testing and data-driven experimentation.
• Familiarity with cloud technologies such as AWS (e.g., EC2, S3, Lambda) and event-streaming technologies like Kafka.
• Knowledge of search metrics such as precision, recall, and DCG.
• Proficiency in search analytics and performance monitoring tools like Kibana, Grafana, and Datadog.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in Computer Science, Engineering, or related fields.

Why Join Grainger?

Company Overview

• Grainger is a global leader in industrial distribution, serving over 4.5 million customers worldwide.
• With a strong financial foundation ($16.5 billion in 2023 sales), Grainger is committed to growth and innovation.

Workplace Culture

• Grainger promotes a culture of collaboration, growth, and inclusion.
• 2024 Glassdoor Best Place to Work and Great Place to Work-Certified™.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Grainger is an equal-opportunity employer and is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive workplace.

Next Steps

1. Application Process: Interested candidates should apply directly through the Grainger careers page.
2. Interview: Qualified applicants will be invited for interviews to discuss their experience and skills in depth.
3. Selection: Final candidates will receive an offer to join Grainger’s innovative team.

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