Staff Software Engineer, Query (Optimization)

Join the MongoDB Server Query Optimization team, and help us build a world-class distributed open-source query optimizer. Our team plays a crucial role in the experience and performance of data processing. We are responsible for the MongoDB Query Language and the lifecycle of each query, through parsing, optimization and plan selection.

We have a presence across the US and Europe including New York, Dublin, Seattle, Palo Alto, and Chicago. We support office-based and remote work and align projects with convenient work hours for each time zone.

We have tons of interesting problems to solve with a direct impact on users for transactional, time-series, and analytical workloads. The team is endeavoring to systematically rewrite every major component of our optimization and execution systems. We need your help to design and build the heart of a distributed, flexible schema, document database.

Candidate Profile

• 10+ years of experience in data management systems


• Experience with building production-level code with a large user base, robust design structure and rigorous code quality


• Degree in Computer Science or similar field, or equivalent practical experience, with strong competencies in data structures, algorithms, and software design/architecture


• Experience with large code bases written in C++ or another systems programming language. You'll need to trace down defects, estimate work complexity, and design evolution and integration strategies as we rewrite different components of the system


• Passion for the theory and practice of database query engines, as well as hands-on or academic experience in the database domain

Position Expectations

• Innovate in the area of flexible schema databases. Help us build a world-class query optimization system


• Research state-of-the art query systems to inform our design


• Leverage deep knowledge of the strength and weakness of the product and of industry trends to provide technical vision and direction


• Set initiative level strategy, architect plans, and lead the team towards successful execution


• Advise management on decisions related to roadmap, processes, architecture and design


• Identify, design, implement, test, and support new features related to query performance and robustness, query language enhancements, diagnostics, and integration with other products and tools


• Work with other engineers to coordinate seamless changes in a feature-rich, large code base


• Work with other teams including client drivers, cloud services, enterprise tools, support, consulting, education, and marketing to coordinate changes or contribute to their projects


• Influence and grow team members through active mentoring, coaching and leading by example

Success Measures

• In three months you’ll have contributed to the development of a project slated for the next major version, as well as fixed a few bugs in a minor version of our latest stable release series; You'll have learned about MongoDB's project lifecycle, and our long-term goals for the system


• In six months, you’ll have taken on code review responsibilities and are playing an active role in drafting and reviewing the design for new features; You have expanded the team's horizons by presenting a favorite paper or system architecture related to query systems


• In twelve months, on the basis of your extensive past experience in the query space, you have contributed to the long-term technical roadmap of the MongoDB Query team

​​This role can be based out of our US or Canadian offices or remotely in the North America region.

About MongoDB

MongoDB is built for change, empowering our customers and our people to innovate at the speed of the market. We have redefined the database for the AI era, enabling innovators to create, transform, and disrupt industries with software. MongoDB’s unified database platform—the most widely available, globally distributed database on the market—helps organizations modernize legacy workloads, embrace innovation, and unleash AI. Our cloud-native platform, MongoDB Atlas, is the only globally distributed, multi-cloud database and is available across AWS, Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure.

With offices worldwide and nearly 60,000 customers—including 75% of the Fortune 100 and AI-native startups—relying on MongoDB for their most important applications, we’re powering the next era of software.

Our compass at MongoDB is our Leadership Commitment, guiding how and why we make decisions, show up for each other, and win. It’s what makes us MongoDB.

To drive the personal growth and business impact of our employees, we’re committed to developing a supportive and enriching culture for everyone. From employee affinity groups, to fertility assistance and a generous parental leave policy, we value our employees’ wellbeing and want to support them along every step of their professional and personal journeys. Learn more about what it’s like to work at MongoDB, and help us make an impact on the world!

MongoDB is committed to providing any necessary accommodations for individuals with disabilities within our application and interview process. To request an accommodation due to a disability, please inform your recruiter.

MongoDB is an equal opportunities employer.

Req ID - 1273358734