Software Engineer - Query Execution

Overview

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.

• Build and improve the core query execution engine that powers all MongoDB queries, turning logical plans into physical operations.
• Develop physical operators for data retrieval and manipulation and optimize runtime for analytical and transactional workloads.
• Collaborate across the MongoDB ecosystem, supporting query execution needs for Atlas Streams, Atlas Search and Vector Search, and mongosync.
• Contribute to strategic re-architecting and improvement of key components of the query execution engine.
• Collaborate with a globally distributed team across time zones, with options for office-based or remote work in North America.

• 10+ years of hands-on, professional experience in query engine development or database internals.
• Experience building production-level code with a large user base, robust design, 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.
• Ability to trace defects, estimate work complexity, and design evolution and integration strategies as components are rewritten.
• Proven track record of technical leadership: demonstrated ability to define and drive roadmaps for a component over the medium term.

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

• In three months, contribute to a project slated for the next major version and fix bugs in a minor version of the latest stable release; learn MongoDB’s project lifecycle and long-term goals for the system.
• In six months, take on code review responsibilities and actively participate in drafting and reviewing designs for new features; present a paper or system architecture related to query systems.
• In twelve months, contribute to the long-term technical roadmap by owning and driving a component-level initiative based on extensive past experience in the query space.

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, transf