Staff Engineer, Query Optimization

Posted Yesterday
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Hiring Remotely in United States
Remote or Hybrid
151K-297K Annually
Expert/Leader
Big Data • Cloud • Software • Database
MongoDB empowers innovators to create, transform, and disrupt industries by unleashing the power of software and data.
The Role
Design and implement a distributed query optimization system for MongoDB. Research query systems, architect features, write and review production-quality C++ code, debug large codebases, coordinate cross-team integrations, and mentor engineers while shaping long-term roadmap and performance improvements.
Summary Generated by Built In

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.

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

Candidate Profile
  • 10+ years of experience in data management systems, distributed systems, or large-scale backend engineering
  • 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
  • A strong foundation in core database internals is essential. While direct experience in query optimization is a massive bonus, it is not a prerequisite. We are also excited to meet candidates with strong backgrounds in compilers, language transpilers, or distributed storage systems
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 and partner with management on roadmap decisions, processes, and architectural designs
  • 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
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 data platform for the AI era, enabling builders to create, transform, and disrupt industries with software. MongoDB’s unified data platform, the most widely available, globally distributed data platform 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 data platform and is available across AWS, Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure.

With offices worldwide and over 67,000 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, 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.

Req. ID: 1273425622

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.

MongoDB’s base salary range for this role in the U.S. is:
$151,000$297,000 USD

Skills Required

  • 10+ years experience in data management systems, distributed systems, or large-scale backend engineering
  • Experience building production-level code for a large user base with rigorous code quality
  • Degree in Computer Science or equivalent practical experience
  • Strong competencies in data structures, algorithms, and software design/architecture
  • Experience with large code bases written in C++ or another systems programming language
  • Strong foundation in core database internals
  • Direct experience in query optimization
  • Background in compilers, language transpilers, or distributed storage systems
  • Mentoring, technical leadership, and roadmap/architecture ownership experience

What the Team is Saying

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MongoDB Compensation & Benefits Highlights

  • Parental & Family Support Parental leave is set at 20 weeks paid and gender‑neutral (generally after one year of service), alongside 90% reimbursement for fertility, adoption, or surrogacy costs up to $50,000. Backup child/elder care via Care.com and parenting support (e.g., Cleo) add depth to family coverage.
  • Healthcare Strength Medical, dental, and vision options are broad, with some plans listing $0 employee‑only premiums, HSA contributions, and a free One Medical membership. Mental health resources include Spring Health (with therapy visits), an EAP, and a trained Mental Health First Aid network.
  • Equity Value & Accessibility Total rewards commonly include RSU equity grants and an Employee Stock Purchase Plan, creating meaningful ownership opportunities. Multiple role descriptions and benefits pages emphasize equity as a core component of compensation.

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The Company
HQ: New York, NY
5,550 Employees
Year Founded: 2008

What We Do

The database market is big. How big? Well, according to IDC, it’ll reach $153 billion by 2027. And MongoDB is at the forefront of that innovation with thousands of customers across the globe. We empower developers and businesses to build and deploy the applications they want, wherever they want.

Why Work With Us

We are ambitious. We are passionate about creativity. And we believe the best paths are the ones we have yet to forge.

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Hybrid Workspace

Employees engage in a combination of remote and on-site work.

MongoDB provides multiple working model options for our employees, including the flexibility to work from home to opportunities for collaboration and social interaction in a MongoDB office.

Typical time on-site: Flexible
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