Search & AI Jr. Engineer

As a Search & AI Jr. Engineer at Rebuy, you will focus on developing and managing e-commerce search microservices, engineering workflows for Search APIs, and implementing custom ranking algorithms. You'll also be tasked with refining Hybrid Search systems that integrate various search capabilities while performance tuning backend systems for speed. Your work will ensure our products, like Smart Search and AI-driven recommendations, function seamlessly for our customers.

Candidates for the Search & AI Jr. Engineer role at Rebuy typically need a degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent experience. Ideally, you should also have a minimum of 3 years of experience in deploying production-level systems, along with strong programming skills in languages such as Go, Python, or Rust. Familiarity with Elasticsearch concepts will be a bonus in helping the team advance intelligent shopping experiences.

At Rebuy, you can expect a fully remote work environment where collaboration and open communication are key values. Our small, motivated team thrives in a flat organizational structure, encouraging initiative and personal contribution. You’ll have the opportunity to work with talented individuals who are passionate about shaping the future of intelligent commerce and embracing continuous development in AI and search technologies.

In the role of Search & AI Jr. Engineer at Rebuy, you'll leverage advanced search technologies such as Elasticsearch, develop microservices for search functionality, and work with tools/frameworks relevant to AI engineering like Cursor, LangGraph, and LLM APIs. Your work may involve performance tuning backend systems, analyzing search quality, and incorporating machine learning into your workflows.

The interview process for the Search & AI Jr. Engineer role at Rebuy starts with a 30-minute phone interview, followed by meetings with the hiring manager. You'll also be tasked with a small project to showcase your skills, have a panel interview with team members, and a final interview with the CEO and COO. This structured approach ensures a thorough assessment of your fit within our dynamic team.

When asked this question, it's important to discuss your process for understanding the requirements of the search functionality, identifying user needs, and evaluating existing data structures. Explain how you might utilize machine learning to enhance ranking or improve semantic search capabilities, and convey your willingness to collaborate with team members to refine these algorithms.

Be explicit about any projects or experiences where you used Elasticsearch. Talk about how you interacted with features like indexing, query syntax, or analyzers. Highlight specific cases where you effectively solved a problem using Elasticsearch, showcasing your understanding of its core concepts as well as any challenges you faced.

In your answer, define Hybrid Search as the integration of lexical and semantic search capabilities to return the most relevant results. Discuss its significance in improving the customer shopping experience and how you plan to apply your skills in developing such systems at Rebuy. Provide examples of its application in e-commerce settings for additional context.

Talk about methods you would employ to analyze and refine search result quality, such as using key performance indicators (KPIs) to evaluate search effectiveness, incorporating user feedback, and implementing automated systems for continuous improvement. Illustrate your hands-on experience with specific tools or processes, if applicable.

Mention any personal or professional projects where you utilized Go or other relevant languages. Describe the coding practices you prioritize—like maintainability, performance, and documentation—and any frameworks you're familiar with. This is a good opportunity to showcase specific challenges you overcame and what you've learned from them.

Share the resources you use to stay informed, such as relevant online courses, forums, academic research, and industry news. Discuss any conferences or webinars you’ve attended or are planning to attend, showing that you're committed to continuous learning and professional growth in your field.

Focus on your teamwork experiences—what role you played and how you contributed to the group's success. Discuss conflict resolution, how you valued diverse perspectives, and any successful projects that resulted from your collaboration, emphasizing communication skills and relationship-building.

Outline your approach to prioritizing tasks, using methods like kanban or agile methodologies. Talk about any tools you use for tracking progress and ensuring deadlines are met, along with how you communicate updates to your team. Acknowledge the importance of flexibility and adapting to changing project needs.

Express your enthusiasm for Rebuy's mission of enhancing intelligent shopping experiences and how it aligns with your career goals. Discuss what excites you about the company's innovative culture, the opportunity to leverage cutting-edge technology, and how you see yourself contributing to and growing with the team.

Reflect on potential challenges you may face as a Search & AI Jr. Engineer at Rebuy, like mastering complex algorithms or adjusting to the remote work environment. Discuss your proactive strategies for overcoming these challenges, such as seeking feedback, continuous learning, and engaging with mentors within the company.