Staff Software Engineer - Query Execution

MongoDB Inc.; United States; On-site; USD 151,000 - 297,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity options

Flexible paid time off

20 weeks fully-paid gender-neutral parental leave

Fertility and adoption assistance

Mental health counseling

Job summary

MongoDB is seeking a Query Execution Engineer to enhance their distributed open-source database. The ideal candidate will have over 10 years in query engine development with significant experience in C++. This role involves defining the 12-month roadmap for query execution, delivering production-ready code, mentoring team members, and collaborating across teams. MongoDB offers a competitive salary range of $151,000—$297,000 USD, along with various benefits including stock options and flexible paid time off.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of hands-on, professional experience in query engine development or database internals.
• Experience with building production-level code with a large user base.
• Strong competencies in data structures, algorithms, software design/architecture.
• Proven track record of technical leadership.
• Passion for database query engines and relevant experience.

Responsibilities

• Define the 12-month roadmap for Query Execution by researching state-of-the-art systems.
• Deliver on long-term goals for high-performance query execution.
• Advise management on architecture and processes.
• Mentor team members and lead by example.

Skills

Query engine development

Production-level code

Technical leadership

C++ or similar

Database theory

Education

Degree in Computer Science or similar

Job description

Join the MongoDB Server Query Execution team, and help us build a world‑class distributed open‑source database. Our team plays a crucial role in the performance and efficiency of MongoDB's data processing. We are responsible for building and improving the core execution engine that powers all queries, taking a logical query plan produced by the optimizer and turning it into reality. This includes developing the physical operators for data retrieval and manipulation, improving the runtime for complex analytical and transactional workloads, and owning critical components such as our new execution engine. In addition to the core server, we support the query execution needs of other major products like Atlas Streams, Atlas Search and Vector Search, and mongosync, making our work vital to the entire MongoDB ecosystem.

You will be joining a globally distributed team with a significant presence in both North America and Europe. While this role is based in the NAMER region, you will regularly collaborate closely with colleagues across different time zones. We support both office‑based work in our North America hubs like New York, as well as remote work.

We have tons of interesting problems to solve with a direct impact on users for transactional, time‑series, and analytical workloads. To meet the ever‑increasing data demands of modern applications, we are actively evolving our query system; this includes strategically re‑architecting and improving key components of our query execution engine. We need your help to design and build the core of a distributed, flexible schema document database.

This role can be based out of one of our North America offices, such as NYC or Palo Alto, or remotely across North America.

Candidate Profile

• 10+ years of hands‑on, professional experience in query engine development or database internals
• 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
• Proven track record of technical leadership: demonstrated ability to define and drive roadmaps for a component over the medium term
• Passion for the theory and practice of database query engines, as well as hands‑on or academic experience in the database domain

Position Expectations

• Play a key role in defining the 12‑month roadmap for Query Execution by researching state‑of‑the‑art systems and leveraging your deep knowledge of industry trends to provide technical vision and direction
• Take direct responsibility for delivering on long‑term (6‑18 month) goals to innovate in high‑performance query execution and other areas of responsibility, co‑ordinating initiative‑level strategy and personally writing well‑tested, production‑ready C++ code
• Advise management on key decisions related to our architecture and processes, and collaborate with stakeholders across the company on large initiatives
• Influence and grow team members through active mentoring, coaching, and leading by example, helping to cultivate a strong talent bench through interviewing and knowledge sharing

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 by directly owning and driving a component level roadmap

MongoDB, Inc. provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type and makes all hiring decisions without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

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’s base salary range for this role is posted below. Compensation at the time of offer is unique to each candidate and based on a variety of factors such as skill set, experience, qualifications, and work location. Salary is one part of MongoDB’s total compensation and benefits package. Other benefits for eligible employees may include: equity, participation in the employee stock purchase program, flexible paid time off, 20 weeks fully‑paid gender‑neutral parental leave, fertility and adoption assistance, 401(k) plan, mental health counseling, access to transgender‑inclusive health insurance coverage, and health benefits offerings. Please note, the base salary range listed below and the benefits in this paragraph are only applicable to U.S.-based candidates.

$151,000—$297,000 USD