Job Description
Who we are
MongoDB Atlas Search and Vector Search let developers run complex search queries and build AI-powered applications directly inside MongoDB, without managing a separate search infrastructure. It is a product used by a large and growing number of customers who rely on it being fast, reliable, and available.
The Search Query Platform & Availability (SQPA) team is a new team being built from the ground up. Its purpose is to own the foundational layer that keeps Atlas Search stable and scalable, and to give the engineers building search features the tools they need to move faster and ship with more confidence. The team's work spans three areas: keeping search reliable under pressure through resource controls and safeguards; building the tooling that helps Search engineers roll out changes safely at scale; and maintaining the engine, storage and dependencies that everything else depends on.
You will be the first leader of this team. That means you are not stepping into an existing structure. You are shaping the roadmap, building the team, and establishing how SQPA operates within a broader Search org that is growing quickly.
We are looking to speak to candidates who are based in Toronto, Ontario Canada for our hybrid working model.
What you'll do
Lead and grow a team of software engineers, owning all aspects of people management including hiring, performance, career development, and compensation
Define and drive the 12-month roadmap for SQPA in close collaboration with stakeholders across Search, Platform, and Product
Improve the processes and tooling that allow the Search org to make changes confidently in high-stakes parts of the codebase
Own the health and evolution of the runtime and core dependencies the Search engine relies on, including upgrade cycles and long-term maintainability
Own and lead resolution of time-sensitive customer escalations related to search availability and performance
Partner with peer engineering leads to establish clear ownership boundaries and make sure platform improvements create real value for the teams relying on them
Collaborate with product managers, program managers, and engineering teams across the company on large cross-functional initiatives
Contribute to the long-term vision for Search at MongoDB and help develop a plan to get there
Who we're looking for
2+ years of experience managing a team of software engineers, including hiring, coaching, and performance conversations
A technical background in building or operating complex software systems, such as databases, distributed systems, query engines or data infrastructure at scale
Experience with high-throughput, low-latency systems where resource management, runtime health, and operational reliability are first-class concerns
Prior experience with search systems or search infrastructure is a plus, but not required
Familiarity with JVM-based systems or managing runtime and dependency upgrades in a production environment is a plus.
Strong judgment about when to go deep, when to delegate, and when to push back on scope or priority
Comfort operating with some ambiguity. This team is new and the roadmap is still being shaped. The right person sees that as an opportunity to have real influence, not a reason to wait for more clarity.
A track record of working across team boundaries to get things done without waiting for perfect org alignment
A genuine interest in platform and reliability work, not just feature delivery
Success Measures
In the first month:
You have understood the high level architecture of the Search and Vector Search and the team's responsibilities
You are starting to develop relationships with key stakeholders
You have gained familiarity with the required day-to-day processes to manage the team
In three months:
You have hired two new engineers to the team
You have taken over management of your team, and are starting to build trust with your reports
You have assumed responsibility for the day-to-day processes necessary to keep the lights on
You are involved in reviewing the design for new features and helping the team navigate technical challenges
In six months:
You have established your role as a leader in the organization such that team members naturally go to you for guidance
You have hired and onboarded two new engineers to the team
You are beginning to involve yourself in planning and roadmapping efforts
You are leading the planning and execution of a new major feature
You have produced a roadmap that has buy in from your counterparts
In twelve months:
You have performed a full annual cycle of performance and growth conversations with your team members
You have contributed to the vision for the future of the Search team and helped develop a plan to achieve that vision
You have increased the capability and velocity of your team in measurable ways
You have delivered major roadmap items
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 over 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: 4263333183
AI is used to review applications based on job-related criteria and does not replace human decision-making. The hiring team decide who moves forward.
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, Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) with employer match, mental health counseling, backup child and elder care, and health, dental, and vision benefits offerings. Please note, the base salary range listed below and the benefits in this paragraph are only applicable to candidates based in Canada.
MongoDB’s base salary range for this role in Canada is:
$162,000—$225,000 CAD