Life at MongoDB
Who MongoDB is as a company on the inside and outside
Staff Engineering at MongoDB: Your Path to Making Broad Impact
Andrew Whitaker is a Senior Staff Engineer at MongoDB. His previous experience spans tiny startups to enormous organizations like AWS, where he held several different roles focusing on databases. Before joining MongoDB, he worked at a startup building optimized machine learning models in the cloud. Read on to learn more about why Andrew decided to join MongoDB in a senior-level engineering role and how his work is driving improvement within our engineering organization. Why MongoDB I have long been a fan of MongoDB’s products and services. MongoDB the database has always been a pleasure to work with – the system “brings joy” to quote a phrase. As a Python developer, I appreciate how the Python driver feels “Pythonic” in a completely natural way. The programmer interacts with the database using Python constructs: dictionaries, lists, and primitive types. By contrast, SQL databases force me to change my mental model, and the query language feels like an add-on that does not blend with the core language. As an engineer, I am always looking to expand my knowledge and grow my skills. The scope of challenges engineers face at MongoDB is what triggered my interest in the company. We obviously have people working on core databases and distributed systems. But, we also have teams dedicated to machine learning, streaming data, analytics, networking, developer tooling, drivers, and many more areas. It is very hard to get bored working at MongoDB. Finally, I would be remiss if I did not mention the people. Overall, MongoDB’s engineering culture prioritizes intelligence, low ego, and an ability to get stuff done. CL/CI (Continuous Learning, Continuous Improvement) Working at MongoDB has provided me with opportunities for continued learning and growth. Though I do not program as much as I did earlier in my career, I have recently been exploring the Rust language. I’m excited by Rust because it avoids the tradeoffs between predictable performance and safety. My work in the search space has given me exposure to the fast moving world of AI: vector embeddings, RAG, etc. For various reasons, I think MongoDB is uniquely positioned to do well in this area. On top of this, I’m working on some initiatives that are not fully public. I can say that one focus area is improving the sharding experience for our customers. We believe MongoDB sharding is best-in-breed. Still, the process requires more manual configuration than we think is ideal: customers select the shard key, cluster type, shard count, etc. We give guidance here, but I think we can raise the bar in terms of offering a seamless experience with less “futz”. I’m also working with the search team. We believe there is a natural affinity between MongoDB’s document model and AI/ML workloads. We have some features in the works that extend this integration in new and interesting ways. I also spend a fair bit of time driving quality improvements across our suite of products. Our CTO Jim Scharf frequently refers to our “ big 4 ” goals: security, durability, availability, and performance. These goals are more important than any feature we build. I’ve been working across the company to help teams define their availability SLO/SLAs. It turns out that measuring availability is a subtle topic. For example, a naive approach of counting the percentage of failed requests can underestimate downtime because customers make fewer requests when a service is unavailable. So, the first step is to clarify the definition of availability. Finally, as a lapsed academic (in a distant life, I was a graduate student at the University of Washington Department of Computer Science and Engineering), I’m always interested in finding ways to bridge theory and practice. I’ve been collaborating with some folks in our research team to drive improvements to our replication protocols. There are theoretical results that suggest it is impossible to simultaneously achieve low latency and strong consistency (“linearizability” in the technical jargon). However, we believe there are intermediate points in the consistency/latency spectrum that have not been fully explored. This work hasn't been made into a product yet, but stay tuned. Flexible working MongoDB is a hybrid company. Like many of our engineers, I work outside the company headquarters in New York City (I live in Seattle). I appreciate MongoDB’s approach to hybrid working and that company leadership, starting with Dev , cares about the well-being of their employees. It seems there are companies that don’t seem to trust their employees to make decisions, such as which days to come into the office, so I’m thankful for the autonomy I receive at MongoDB to work in a way that’s best for me. Remote work has its challenges, but I would say that the benefit for my work/life balance has been transformative. Final thoughts I have found MongoDB engineers demonstrate a strong mix of technical depth, pragmatism, and empathy. I have yet to find the “smart jerk” prototype that seems to exist throughout the tech industry. Overall, I have found MongoDB is open to change and growth at both the team level and the individual level. There is a willingness to evolve and improve that aligns with the company’s values and leadership principles and enables the success of our technology and people. Find out more about MongoDB culture and career opportunities by joining our talent community .
Driving Neurodiversity Awareness and Education at MongoDB
Roughly 20% of the US population is neurodiverse, which means that you likely work with a colleague who learns and navigates the workplace (and the world) differently than you do. Which is a good thing! Studies have shown that hiring neurodiverse individuals benefits workplaces , with Deloitte noting that organizations “can gain a competitive edge from increased diversity in skills, ways of thinking, and approaches to problem-solving.” Config at MongoDB —which Cian and I are the global leaders of—recognizes the prevalence, importance, and power of neurodiversity in the workplace. Config’s mission is to educate both our members and the wider employee population at MongoDB about neurodiversity in the workplace, and through education to empower them to embrace—and champion—neurodiversity. Since it was founded in April 2023, Config’s membership has grown by over 150%, and it now has members in New York, Dublin, Paris, Gurugram, and Sydney. In fact, more than 200 people who span a range of MongoDB teams—from Engineering and Product, to the People team, to Marketing—take part in Config. We like to say that no one succeeds until all of us succeed. And that no one belongs until all of us belong. As managers, culture leaders, and as people, it's our responsibility to do whatever we can to make that true. Invisible differences like neurodiversity are hard to spot, but they enrich our work and our lives. Config.MDB plays an important role in helping us achieve this ambition. Making an impact on the MongoDB community Over the last year and a half, Config has held over fifteen events globally—with almost 1,000 employees in attendance. Config has held educational events for both the group’s members and the wider MongoDB audience on neurodiversity-related topics like autism awareness and ADHD awareness, along with events tailored to allies and members who identify as neurodivergent or who are part of a neurodivergent family. Config has also held training sessions for MongoDB people managers that provide them knowledge and tools to better manage neurodiverse team members. Ger Hartnett, an Engineering Lead at MongoDB said the training “gave me a much better understanding and appreciation for neurodiversity. This course was truly eye-opening for me. I learned practical ways to be more inclusive and supportive, both at work and in everyday life.” The group also holds quarterly virtual meetings to share the latest updates, personal experiences, and practical tips for members, focusing on career development, benefit entitlements, and events happening within MongoDB. Outside of events and training sessions, Config has had a broader business impact on the company, with some Config leads partnering with the employee inclusion and recruiting teams to put together an interview accommodation program. This program supports candidates who are neurodiverse or have a disability by allowing them to apply for special requests to make their interview experience more inclusive and enjoyable. Making a difference for individual members Config’s focus on educational and training events has had a dramatic and direct impact on members. The group is a safe space for neurodiverse or disabled people to share their experiences and seek advice on various issues. Cian is one of Config’s founding members, and had this to say about his personal experience: I was diagnosed with dyslexia in college and wanted to start a group like Config after speaking with other employees who were neurodiverse. We agreed that there was a need for a group like this at MongoDB. After the group was formed, I attended several events that focused on ADHD and saw a lot of similarities between traits and experiences of those with ADHD and myself. After attending these events, struggles that I had and that I thought were personality traits could be a sign of ADHD, I turned to some of our members for guidance on how to seek a diagnosis. Earlier this year, I was diagnosed with ADHD by a medical professional. I have noticed an improvement in my quality of life, and thanks to Config, I have a lot of valuable tips and resources to help me in my day-to-day. Had it not been for Config and these events I would still be none the wiser. Config has also made an impact on employees who are parents of neurodivergent children, like Sarah Lin , a senior information/content architect and Config member: I joined Config to be part of the change I want to see in the world—to help make the inclusive and supportive workplace I'd want my autistic daughter to experience. I certainly hope I'm contributing because membership has benefitted me personally. I've learned more about different types of neurodivergence and ways to support my colleagues. From our employee resource group events, I've learned more about autism and the lives of autistic adults so that I can be a better support for my daughter as we look toward her adulthood. The best part has been conversations with other parents and seeing myself reflected in their struggles, persistence, and achievements. Looking ahead As Config continues to expand its footprint within MongoDB, the group plans to introduce advanced educational programming to raise awareness for neurodiversity in the workplace. It also plans to hold workshops to foster professional development and executive functioning. Config also hopes to grow its global membership to provide community outreach at scale for nonprofit organizations that specifically service neurodiverse individuals. Ultimately, Config’s aim is to create the best environment for teams at MongoDB. Our view of success is not only the “what” but also the “how.” Being sustainable, encouraging growth through learning, and accomplishing goals as a team are all meaningful to us. And we believe strongly in the power of allyship; we want MongoDB to be a place where amazing people feel supported and are given the opportunity to do their best. After all, many of us are already close to neurodivergent individuals. One of Config’s Executive Sponsors, Mick Graham, has a daughter who is neurodivergent—which he says gives him extra inspiration to support Config now and in the future. Overall, being part of Config has raised our understanding of how neurodivergent people navigate the world. And the group—and the inspirations and experiences members have shared—contribute to making MongoDB a place that great people want to be. Interested in learning more about employee resource groups at MongoDB? Join our talent community to receive the latest MongoDB culture highlights.
Away From the Keyboard: Apoorva Joshi, MongoDB Senior AI Developer Advocate
Welcome to our article series focused on developers and what they do when they’re not building incredible things with code and data. “Away From the Keyboard” features interviews with developers at MongoDB, discussing what they do, how they establish a healthy work-life balance, and their advice for others looking to create a more holistic approach to coding. In this article, Apoorva Joshi shares her day-to-day responsibilities as a Senior AI Developer Advocate at MongoDB; what a flexible approach to her job and life looks like; and how her work calendar helps prioritize overall balance. Q: What do you do at MongoDB? Apoorva: My job is to help developers successfully build AI applications using MongoDB. I do this through written technical content, hands-on workshops, and design whiteboarding sessions. Q: What does work-life balance look like for you? Apoorva: I love remote work. It allows me to have a flexible approach towards work and life where I can accommodate life things, like dental appointments, walks, or lunches in the park during my work day—as long as work gets done. Q: Was that balance always a priority for you or did you develop it later in your career? Apoorva: Making work-life balance a priority has been a fairly recent development. During my first few years on the job, I would work long hours, partly because I felt like I needed to prove myself and also because I hadn’t prioritized finding activities I enjoyed outside of school or work up until then. The first lockdown during the pandemic put a lot of things into perspective. With work and life happening in the same place, I felt the need for boundaries. Having nowhere to go encouraged me to try out new hobbies, such as solving jigsaw puzzles; as well as reconnecting with old favorites, like reading and painting. Q: What benefits has this balance given you? Apoorva: Doing activities away from the keyboard makes me more productive at work. A flexible working schedule also creates a stress-free environment and allows me to bring my 100% to work. This balance helps me make time for family and friends, exercise, chores, and hobbies. Overall, having a healthy work-life balance helps me lead a fulfilling life that I am proud of. Q: What advice would you give to a developer seeking to find a better balance? Apoorva: The first step to finding a balance between work and life is to recognize that boundaries are healthy. I have found that putting everyday things, such as lunch breaks and walks on my work calendar is a good way to remind myself to take that break or close my laptop, while also communicating those boundaries with my colleagues. If you are having trouble doing this on your own, ask a family member, partner, or friend to remind you! Thank you to Apoorva Joshi for sharing her insights! And thanks to all of you for reading. Look for more in our new series. Interested in learning more about or connecting more with MongoDB? Join our MongoDB Community to meet other community members, hear about inspiring topics, and receive the latest MongoDB news and events. And let us know if you have any questions for our future guests when it comes to building a better work-life balance as developers. Tag us on social media: @/mongodb
Away From the Keyboard: Anaiya Raisinghani, MongoDB Developer Advocate
Welcome to our new article series focused on developers and what they do when they’re not building incredible things with code and data. “Away From the Keyboard” features interviews with developers at MongoDB, discussing what they do, how they establish a healthy work-life balance, and their advice for others looking to create a more holistic approach to coding. In our first article, Anaiya Raisinghani shares her day-to-day responsibilities as a Developer Advocate at MongoDB; how she uses nonrefundable workout classes and dinner reservations to help her step away from work; and her hack for making sure that when she logs off for the day, she stays logged off. Q: What do you do at MongoDB? Anaiya: I’m a developer advocate here at MongoDB on the Technical Content team! This means I get to build super fun MongoDB tutorials for the entire developer community. I’m lucky where each day is different. If I’m researching a platform to build a tutorial, it can mean hours of research and reading up on documentation, whereas if I’m filming a YouTube video it means lots of time recording and editing. Q: What does work-life balance look like for you? Anaiya: A bad habit of mine is to get really caught up in a piece of content I’m creating and refuse to leave a certain spot until I’ve accomplished what I’ve set out to do that day. Because of this—and because I work mainly from home—if I can anticipate that I’m going to get caught up in a project, I create plans that force me to leave my desk. Some examples of these are non-refundable workout classes, drinks with friends after work (I hate being a flake), or even dinner reservations that charge you if you cancel less than 24 hours in advance. My biggest gripe is paying for something that I didn’t get anything out of. If I’m paying for a single pilates class, I will make sure I’m there trying my best on the reformer. So this has been a fantastic motivator. Being 25 and living in NYC means that my weekends are always booked, so I’m always out and about, and this allows me to not think about work on my time off. I’m also lucky enough to have a great manager and team that keep very great work-life boundaries, so I never feel guilty practicing those boundaries myself. Q: Was that balance always a priority for you or did you develop it later in your career? Anaiya: This balance was definitely something I had to develop and actively work on. I’ve always been an anxious over-achiever, and when coming into my first corporate job I thought staying overtime would be expected. We’ve all heard the phrase: “Be the first one in and the last to leave.” My manager actually used to actively tell me to log off when I first started because he would notice that my Slack was active past work hours (shoutout to Nic!). Having him and my team as a great example helped me understand that there will always be more work and to enjoy the time that you spend away from your laptop. It was also the realization that working shouldn’t be your entire life. You need to develop hobbies and build relationships within your community in order to be a happier human being. Q: What benefits has this balance given you? Anaiya: The biggest benefit this balance has given me both at work and in my life is that I’m incredibly present when I’m doing one or the other. When I’m working during the day, I’m entirely locked in and take advantage of each hour. And when I’m done with the workday, I’m actually done and can focus on my hobbies or my friends. It’s also taught me to plan in advance and it gives me a better understanding of how much work on average is expected for each project. Q: What advice would you give to a developer seeking to find a better balance? Anaiya: If you’re seeking a better balance, I recommend removing Slack from your personal phone and laptop. This way when you’re disconnected, you’re truly disconnected. Of course, there are some teams and companies that require you to be on call or working around the clock, but even then having a specific laptop or device with everything you need that is separate from your personal devices can help bridge this gap. Thank you to Anaiya Raisinghani for sharing her insights! And thanks to all of you for reading. Look for more in our new series. Interested in learning more about or connecting more with MongoDB? Join our MongoDB Community to meet other community members, hear about inspiring topics, and receive the latest MongoDB news and events. And let us know if you have any questions for our future guests when it comes to building a better work-life balance as developers. Tag us on social media: @mongodb #AwayFromTheKeyboard
Technical Services Tools: Embracing Modern Frameworks and Influencing Efficiency
The Technical Services Tools team at MongoDB plays a pivotal role in ensuring efficiency throughout the customer lifecycle. Led by experienced engineers like Jarrod Hinson , the team leverages advanced technologies such as generative AI and modern frameworks like MERN and MEAN to develop tools that enhance security, streamline support processes, and integrate seamlessly into MongoDB's ecosystem. By prioritizing collaboration and innovation, the team not only supports internal stakeholders, but also delivers significant value to MongoDB's customers, setting new standards in technical service excellence. Read on to learn more about working on the team from Jarrod’s perspective. My journey as a Technical Services Tools Engineer at MongoDB Hey there, I’m Jarrod, a Staff Software Engineer on MongoDB’s Technical Services Tools team. Before joining, I worked as a Salesforce engineer, tinkering with custom Full Stack technologies like MERN and MEAN stacks. My background includes stints in healthcare software engineering and service in the US Army. I initially joined MongoDB as a Salesforce engineer in 2017, transitioning to the Technical Services Tools team in 2022 to delve deeper into Full Stack development and engineer applications using gen AI. Influencing tools and security practices In my role as a Staff Software Engineer at MongoDB, I influence internal tools and security best practices across the entire customer lifecycle. Central to my role is ensuring the secure storage of sensitive data and strictly controlling access to resolve customer issues. I craft robust authentication, authorization, and logging systems that track interactions with customer data from both ends, upholding rigorous standards of security and accountability. Embracing modern frameworks and gen AI My work involves extensive use of modern frameworks and gen AI. We deploy the MERN stack with Next.js and MongoDB's Leafygreen UI framework, complemented by Salesforce architecture for our data needs. Leveraging cutting-edge technology with gen AI, we employ MongoDB for databases and vector stores. Customer and internal support is enhanced through our work with assisted gen AI which refines Technical Services case work to boost efficiency and satisfaction. For example, our public Support Portal lets customers chat about any issues they’re experiencing with responses provided through Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) system results pulled from the MongoDB Technical Services Tools database. We utilize RAG for documentation, knowledge base articles, cached entries, and corrective guidance from our custom-built LLM feedback responses. Cross-collaboration opportunities Collaboration thrives at MongoDB. Within our network of customer-facing teams, we work together to define new features and capabilities. For example, we incorporate diagnostic tools into our frameworks through integration efforts with the broader Technical Services team, while partnerships with Cloud and CRM Tech teams manage user permissions across sites. We’ve worked closely with Professional Services leadership to identify existing use cases and seamlessly implement the tools their teams built into our infrastructure. Plus, we’ve helped them identify overlapping customer engagements, quickly understand projects, and enhance customer consultation experience through custom AI summarization. This collaborative approach ensures our tools are robust, secure, and aligned with stakeholder needs, ultimately providing our customers with the best possible experience. Addressing internal stakeholders Engaging with stakeholders across MongoDB presents unique opportunities and challenges. Our projects focus on optimizing processes and enhancing internal capabilities to deliver value to the company and our customers. This role fosters deep cross-departmental relationships, allowing us to solve complex problems with custom tools that drives efficiency across the organization. We provide improved AI triage assistance, case summaries, and next steps to help engineers quickly gain context and engage with customers. We've generated over 100,000 case summaries and have offered triage assistance on over 40,000 cases. Team dynamics Our team is uniquely skilled and operates under a product-oriented delivery (POD) engineering framework broken into five technical areas: Front End, Back End, AI, Salesforce, and Infrastructure. This framework promotes collaboration and efficiency in an effort to drive successful projects. Led by Team Leads and Senior Engineers and guided by our Engineering Manager Lila Brooks , our structure supports continuous learning and engineering best practices. Paul Rooney , our Senior Director, leads by example and takes a hands-on approach with the team's most challenging engineering goals. In my role as a Staff Engineer, I drive multiple projects and aid PODs in achieving their objectives. This structure makes delegation efficient and empowers POD members to make decisions as needed. Why join our team? Our global, primarily remote team embraces flexible work. Yearly in-person offsites encourage team bonding, while the rest of the time, we communicate asynchronously to accommodate global time zones, with essential meetings aligned for overlap. Our leaders prioritize work-life balance and support individual needs to ensure flexibility for all team members. I’ve also found support through MongoDB Veterans, which is an employee resources group that guides veteran applicants to a role within the company aligned to their military experience and brings together a community of supportive co-workers. In terms of day-to-day work on the Technical Services Tools team, what’s most exciting is our specialization in cutting-edge AI applications involving MongoDB processes and data. With rapid expansion, we explore areas like QA, security, AI, Full Stack, and Salesforce, fostering diverse skill sets and knowledge sharing. Projects span intriguing domains from AI applications to custom MERN stack development and Salesforce integration. By joining the team, you’ll have the opportunity to grow your skills, dive into modern frameworks, and join a community of inspiring and talented people! Find out more about Life at MongoDB in technical services by joining our talent community .
Helping MongoDB Customers Unlock Potential with Industry Solutions
Gabriela Preiss is a senior manager within Industry Solutions at MongoDB and was instrumental in building out the team in Barcelona. She’s now relocated to Austin, Texas to build a team in Mexico City and continue expanding the Industry Solutions footprint. In this article, Gabriela shares more about Industry Solutions at MongoDB and how they’re making a difference for both customers and our internal go-to-market teams. The impact of industry solutions teams is not lost on the tech industry. I see our competitors and Big Tech alike becoming more verticalized and providing industry-specific solutions to meet their customers’ needs. In 2019, MongoDB established an Industry Solutions team to understand and address our customers’ industry-specific needs and challenges. In the past two years, our Industry Solutions team has increased by roughly 380% in size and touched over 1,100 customer accounts around the globe. Our tailored, industry-specific solutions and messaging give MongoDB a competitive advantage and lead to higher market penetration, higher customer retention, and increased sales. Not to mention, industry-specific insights gleaned from the field drive internal innovation and product development to propel MongoDB forward. Industry Solutions at MongoDB The Industry Solutions team messages MongoDB as a solution or part of a solution to specific industries. We speak the customer's language and understand their industry needs, industry roadblocks, market trends, and competitors. Our industry experts have been in the shoes of the customers and know how to guide them through modernization. We're an extremely cross-functional team, constantly collaborating with sales, marketing, product, product marketing, and engineering. We work in parallel with sales, and everything we do is ultimately to support them and help drive revenue. This means helping with account prepping, speaking one-on-one with customers, and a lot of sales enablement. Our team holds frequent sales trainings in the form of internal content, office hours, and weekly sessions to coach on industry knowledge. We also create content to help drive MongoDB’s go-to-market messaging externally. This means highlighting MongoDB as an industry solution through blogs, white papers, video content, and, most frequently, interactive solution demos that allow customers to really get their hands on our products. Sharing industry knowledge at MongoDB.local events Skills for success While you don’t necessarily need to be a MongoDB expert to join our Industry Solutions team (we’ll train you on that); it’s beneficial to have foundational technical skills and knowledge, like understanding the concept of a database and how it works. As long as you have the will to learn, we’ll shape you into a MongoDB subject matter expert. I often look for people who have a technical knowledge base, but are also interested in the business solution space. Our team is open for anyone who wants to be part of industry solutions and has the willingness to learn all of the ins and outs of it. In terms of specific skills, I personally think soft skills are the most essential for success. For example, having a willingness to learn, boundless curiosity, a sense of urgency, and a true passion for your work. However, things like strong project management and time management skills come in handy as our team covers many different industries and regions. Each industry has its own nuances, and each team member is involved in many different projects. The ability to own your projects from end-to-end and juggle multiple projects at any given time is crucial. Working with AI AI has become a hot topic, and it's not going away. As a team, we work with industries from financial services to manufacturing, automotive to airline, insurance to telecommunications, and everything in between. AI is affecting every industry, and it's impacting every region. It’s our job to keep our finger on the pulse of industry trends to better enable our sales team and have discussions of modernization with customers. As customers look to implement gen AI applications, it’s important for our team to be able to confidently answer their questions and create relevant content. For the Industry Solutions team, working with gen AI is all about educating ourselves and keeping up with the industry trends to create a competitive advantage for MongoDB. Collaboration never ends! Opportunities for learning and growth There are so many, I wouldn't even know where to begin or end. As far as opportunities for learning, you’ll certainly become a subject matter expert in MongoDB. You’ll have the chance to speak with different customers, participate as a presenter at MongoDB and third-party events, hold internal sales enablement trainings, hone in on your content creation skills, and more. You’ll learn some teaching skills if you join the Industry Solutions team, too. A big part of the role is explaining technical concepts to different audiences and sharing information in a way that enables people to learn. At the end of the day, you’ll be building your brand as an industry expert, building your skills, and building your resume. In my personal experience, I started as a consultant on the team and am now a senior manager. I was able to build out our team in Barcelona, Spain, and I've recently relocated to Austin, Texas to build out a team in Mexico City, which I'm so excited for. It's been amazing to see the team grow. In terms of career advancement, there are tons of opportunities for our team members to grow linearly as individual contributors or into team lead and people manager roles. Plus, because you're getting exposure to so many different teams, it's not uncommon for folks from Industry Solutions to transfer into other departments within MongoDB, or vice versa. It’s something that’s not taboo within the company; it's just a matter of having a conversation with your manager. Rooftop views from MongoDB Barcelona Building a team in Mexico City and beyond It’s a really exciting time as we aim to replicate the team that we've created in Barcelona in Mexico City. For prospective candidates, this is a great opportunity to help us build and shape a team from scratch while working on a diverse set of projects in key regions of the business. I would love to see the Mexico City office grow in the same way our Barcelona office has, which, a few years ago was only 12 people and now contains hundreds. We’ll continue to hire for our team in Barcelona and other locations around the world, too. I’m looking forward to bringing on people who will add unique perspectives to our team and grow their careers at MongoDB for years to come. Join our talent community to stay up to date with MongoDB culture content and career opportunities.
MongoDB Sales Recognized as a Top 20 Org for Professional Development by RepVue
It’s no secret that investing in your people can lead to incredible outcomes, especially for sales organizations. Companies with engaged employees see increased productivity, more profitability, and higher earnings per share . And because go-to-market (GTM) functions are responsible for more than 40% of revenue at high-growth software companies, driving effectiveness and engagement within GTM teams is paramount. At MongoDB, the sales and customer success team makes up over 30% of our company and is one of our fastest-growing organizations. We know that providing opportunities for development and receiving support from leadership drives both engagement and career growth for our teams, ultimately making them more effective and empowered to deliver results. Within the last two years, over 160 employees have been promoted into leadership roles within our sales organization, and we’re continually growing the next generation of leaders at MongoDB. So we’re thrilled to announce that MongoDB’s sales organization has received two RepVue Reppy Awards for the Spring 2024 Reppys, highlighting our commitment to excellence in building a world-class sales team and our prioritization of career development opportunities. RepVue recognizes MongoDB for being a Top 20 org for Professional Development and a Top 20 org for Publicly Funded Companies. About the RepVue Reppy awards RepVue collects millions of data points every year from its B2B sales professional user base. This data is voluntarily submitted on RepVue and includes information about their sales organization’s compensation, culture, overall employee experience, and more. This data is then used to rate the organization across categories and generate an overall RepVue Score. Sales organizations that secure a place in the Top 20 for their category or the Top 5 in a metro area become eligible to receive Reppys. These rankings serve as a testament to the exceptional sales environment these organizations consistently deliver. Hear what some of our employees have to say about working in sales at MongoDB. Adam, Enterprise Account Executive, North America “Throughout my time at MongoDB, I’ve been challenged to learn a complex technology while working with some of the smartest people in the industry. I am regularly humbled by the team we have and the engineers we work with. Everything I’ve learned from them has helped me sharpen my skills and advance my career.” Read our blog to learn more . Marie, Regional Director, Inside Sales, EMEA “Being part of the sales organization at MongoDB isn’t just about being a good sales representative, it’s about being part of a growth mindset community. Participating in our BDR to CRO career development program has helped me take my sales career to new heights.” Read our blog to learn more . Salvatore, Area Vice President, EMEA “As a member of our sales team, you’ll find a culture of transparency and meritocracy. We are focused on developing individuals to be great salespeople and like to think that we are the best technology sales school in the world. Our team is competitive, but there is a lot of camaraderie and support for one another. You’ll have the opportunity to express yourself at your best and know that you will be valued for your unique perspectives and experiences.” Read our blog to learn more . Simon, Senior Vice President, APAC “Our role as leaders is to develop our teams, from the bottom all the way up. We need to develop the next wave of leaders so that they’re prepared to step up when the time comes. Being part of a high-growth tech company requires taking risks and making mistakes. We have a high standard, and we hold each other accountable, but it never comes at the cost of creating an environment where people are afraid to fail.” Read our blog to learn more . Cedric, Chief Revenue Officer “If you join MongoDB, you’ll have to expect a culture of learning and growth. We drive a strong culture of ownership and accountability and we are going to invest in you very aggressively in terms of training and coaching, but we are also going to push you as much as we can so that you can grow your sales skills. Whether you sit in New Delhi, Sydney, Paris, London, or New York, you have a chance in this company to take on more responsibilities and grow your career faster than at any other company in the world. ” Watch the video to learn more . Stay up to date with MongoDB awards and culture highlights by joining our talent community .
Driven by Values: One Account Executive’s Journey into Personal and Professional Growth
May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Hear from Adam, Enterprise Account Executive and member of the MongoDB_API employee resource group, as he shares about his role at MongoDB, the importance of living company values, and how MongoDB has contributed to his personal and professional growth. My journey into tech I grew up as a first-generation Asian American in a town outside of San Diego. While San Diego is not traditionally known for being diverse, I’m fortunate that my town always felt relatively progressive and welcoming. The biggest challenges were the ones that existed in our own home and the career and life expectations that had been set for me as a first-generation child. My parents pushed me towards pursuing a career in medicine at a young age and invested in my education as a pre-med student. When they learned that I was shifting my career toward tech sales as an adult, it was difficult for them to digest and understand. Looking back, while non-conventional for backgrounds of tech sellers, pre-med did, in fact, set me up for success when learning an extremely technical product with a complex sales cycle. I started exploring an opportunity at MongoDB after hearing about the unique sales program and significant investment in employee growth. The hiring manager dove into my background and discussed what personally drove me, showing me how much MongoDB wants to ensure a mutually beneficial fit. I joined MongoDB, working in new logo acquisition, moved into enterprise, and am now part of a global strategic team working with one of our largest customers. I’m selling the entire suite of MongoDB’s offerings: Enterprise Advanced , Atlas (our fully managed database), and, most recently, Atlas as a Vector database powering and scaling GenAI initiatives. As I look towards the rest of this year, I have never felt more empowered to bring our expertise and technology to customers as true partners, helping them accelerate their C-level initiatives and drive meaningful impact within their organizations and to their customers. MongoDB Atlas is perfectly positioned and differentiated to support gen AI projects at scale, all within a unified developer data platform. Find a company that lives its values One of MongoDB's company values is to Be Intellectually Honest . We are encouraged to share our perspectives, even if some folks disagree, while also being open-minded to alternative perspectives so that we can all grow towards our goals together. Everyone is open to collaboration when asked, all the way up to our executive leadership. I regularly meet with both my peers and skip levels, and have never felt blocked when it made sense to connect with our executives. I remember a time early on when I was feeling overwhelmed on how to best approach breaking into an account. After working with my leader, they acknowledged my efforts in certain areas, but also quickly identified opportunities that I had completely overlooked based on my own bias within the account. With additional suggestions on how to pursue those opportunities, I was able to quickly feel comfortable with a refreshed approach and landed the first deal. Another core value at MongoDB is to Embrace the Power of Differences . One of the things I’ve appreciated greatly at MongoDB is leadership’s intentionality in creating a diverse environment and emphasizing the importance of pursuing that as an organization. Making sure that everyone feels valued, heard, and treated with respect is an absolute top priority for leaders. Finally, Build Together is a value I live every single day. On a daily basis I work with our wider sales ecosystem who help scale the sales team’s efforts and support our success. Sales Development Representatives help me scale my reach to engage individuals and teams I may have overlooked. Solutions Architects are key in pulling technical expertise from our 50k+ customers and highlighting why they chose MongoDB to accelerate innovation. Customer Success Managers are instrumental in connecting external stakeholders with our internal SMEs and thought leaders to help execute ideas. Deal Strategy and Legal support through complex close cycles, ensuring the fastest, best outcome for all parties involved. Each of these teams are experts in their own domain and are critical parts of both the pre-sales and post-sales process to ensure our teams and customers are as successful as possible. A key component of this is communication, prep, and respect for each other's roles to help drive efficiency throughout the process. A focus on personal and professional growth Throughout my time at MongoDB, I’ve been challenged to learn a complex technology while working with some of the smartest people in the industry. I am regularly humbled by the team we have and the engineers we work with. Everything I’ve learned from them has helped me sharpen my skills and advance my career. As I reflect on Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, I encourage fellow salespeople from the AAPI community to ask for help early and often, whether it’s questions about technology, growth opportunities, or customer engagement. While it may feel intimidating at first, especially earlier on in your career, if you’re at the right organization, you should feel empowered to be vulnerable and supported in your own growth. I’d also recommend finding a network or community with a variety of skill sets and experience to learn from. Doing so has allowed me to gain different perspectives and continue growing personally and professionally. Our sales ecosystem is growing globally. Join our talent community to stay informed about MongoDB culture content and career opportunities.
The Developers' Developers: Two Australian Developers Share Their Connections to Customers
The world’s 28 million software developers are writing the foundations of our future, propelling innovation for their organizations through lines of code by creating game-changing new apps. Indeed, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that between 2022 and 2032, the number of software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers will grow 24%, “much faster than the average for all occupations.” Fueling this innovative workforce is another group of developers, the people working behind the scenes to build the tools, technologies and platforms that other developers need to be successful: the developers’ developers. Many developers at MongoDB—which after all was built by developers for developers, and is beloved by enterprises and startups alike—fall into this camp. To learn more about what makes these developers tick, we talked with two Australia-based senior software engineers at MongoDB who love to code for their peers. For Lavender Chan and Angus Lee, there’s nothing like seeing the ripple effect of the code they have been working on and the impact it has on their customers. What’s more, the opportunity to be a “developer’s developer” has allowed Chan and Lee to find a space for deep technical work while thriving in an autonomous environment. At MongoDB, we believe developers will build the future. First, can you share more about your roles and what you’re working on? Lavender Chan (LC): I work on the Relational Migrator tool, which allows developers to migrate SQL data onto MongoDB. I joined the company two and a half years ago, and have been part of the Sydney technology scene for the last 10 years. The appeal of joining MongoDB was that it’s a large global company, but in the engineering team, you are able to have a big impact and a lot of autonomy. Relational Migrator was a greenfield project, and our team has been able to take the original product idea built out of the US and run with it. I’m a full stack developer and have touched on every feature of the tool. A lot of the engineers were able to contribute and work on new ideas. There’s also a strong emphasis on culture here which practically means a lot of the people I work with are excited to be here and passionate about their roles. Angus Lee (AL): I work in the MongoDB Charts team in Australia and think our team is a sweet spot for developers. I’ve interned for other tech companies and started my career at MongoDB. Since then I’ve been given responsibilities where I can create a lot of impact. My role at MongoDB in Sydney has also given me great opportunities to connect directly to the developers we are creating products for in a way that pushes my work to a higher level. Your roles are focused on products targeted to other developers. How does developing for developers affect your approach to your work? LC: In our roles we are creating directly for other developers, so the work that I am doing is deeply technical and specific. As Migrator is a newer product, we are able to interact directly with our customers—other developers—and often a lot of their questions are quite complex and specific, which means I go on a learning journey in debunking and fixing their problems. AL: We have a strong team culture in that as developers we want to be our own users. That means we want to use other MongoDB team products, and they use ours, so we can better identify pain points and issues for our customers. There’s a term that developers use called “dogfooding” that really sums up how we think on this, which basically means to use your own product. It means for me that I think about writing clean code to help any other developers extend on this, and how effective what I do will be for the user. What I’ve also learnt is how our product helps other products thrive. We should have done all the hard work to transform data and show it through data visualizsation tools so it’s easy for the customer. Can you tell us more about this connection to customers and how MongoDB empowers developers? LC: When Relational Migrator was released as a general product, I went to MongoDB World to work at the booth, and I talked to the developers and customers using the platform. As an engineer, it was an amazing experience and opportunity to see how it was being used and what else we could be doing. This connection of engineers with customers, as well as the ability to speak to them regularly in my role, is unique. In other companies I would need to go through support teams, to go through someone else just to push out a bug fix. Our team is very customer focused, so we can prioritizse features that our customers want. AL: One of the best moments for me at MongoDB was when I went to MongoDB World and I sat down with a customer to talk through a feature of Charts. It was a pivotal moment to see the improvements it makes for the businesses that use it, and the impact it generates for their customers beyond that. I could sit back and see the ripple effect of the code I’m writing. There is also a great feedback engine where our users can submit ideas and other users can vote for that feature. The product managers pick from these and push out features that are directly relevant to the developers using it. We really connect through our aim to create an open forum for developers and customers to provide feedback and suggest ideas. Developers are problem solvers. As part of the MongoDB Love Your Developers campaign, we believe in championing the voice of developers and giving them the freedom to experiment and innovate. How do you see this in action? LC: In other places, I was a small cog in a massive system. At MongoDB, I really have an impact and can see directly how my work translates to our final product. In Sydney, we’re a satellite office, but it’s indicative of our company culture that there is huge trust placed in these teams. We’re given high impact projects and can run with them, which means I’ve been able to watch the Relational Migrator product go from a tiny product used by only a few customers, to one that is now generally available. Not many engineers get to work for a well-established, large company and still have the opportunity to work on and release products like a startup. There is a strong global interest in AI-driven innovations. How have your connections to customers led to innovations in this area? AL: We’ve been able to take an idea for a new AI feature, Natural Language Charts , and take it from concept to being released as a feature at MongoDB.local in London. We could see from our conversations with customers, as well as broader industry trends, that there was strong interest in new AI features, so we were able to prioritize it for Charts. We started with nothing and were given the freedom to research how this feature could work using AI, create a new proof of concept, and from there we were able to push it out into a feature which was a really proud moment. Having this agility and flexibility to prioritize something new is exactly what we want to provide to our customers. I never feel like I'm just churning out code. We are connected to the work and to our customers. MongoDB is built by developers, for developers. Become part of the team changing the way the world works with data!
Embracing Neurodiversity During Autism Awareness Month
April is Autism Awareness Month. According to a 2023 study by The Tavistock Institute of Human Relations, nearly half of neurodivergent employees feel impacted by their conditions in the workplace. On top of this, many neurodivergent employees choose to not disclose their conditions due to fear of stigma or reduced career opportunities. It’s safe to say that organizations can do more to create supportive, inclusive, and empowering environments for neurodivergent employees. Config.MDB is an employee resource group aiming to raise awareness for and build support around neurodiversity in the workplace at MongoDB. Sarah Lin, Senior Information & Content Architect, and Config member, speaks about her experience as a parent to a child with autism and shares her perspective on creating inclusive spaces for neurodivergent employees, customers, and members of our communities. According to the CDC, one in every 36 children in the U.S . is on the autism spectrum. My child is one of those. Parenting a child with autism is, in many ways, just parenting. There’s often awe, wonder, frustration, exhaustion, and fountains of love all mixed up in the same day. Parenting is hard, period. As a parent of one neurodiverse and one neurotypical child, I'm able to see a little bit of both worlds and while there are highs and lows for both, they’re usually different. People with autism often have a particular area of interest, and my child has opened up a world to me I was only vaguely familiar with. Learning, enjoying, and being part of their world is a gift. I’m so grateful to experience it with them every day. Parenting children with different abilities can be lonely and isolating, though. I get support where I can, but many folks we encounter are actively unsupportive, assuring me “they’ll grow out of it” or expecting I can make them behave in a certain way. My child needs lower levels of support to navigate the world, which means that people often just dismiss their diagnosis entirely as misbehavior or even say that their challenges don’t exist. Understanding autism spectrum disorder I learned pretty early in my journey that if you’ve met one person with autism, you’ve met one person with autism. Autism Spectrum Disorder is just that, a spectrum, with individuals needing more or less support, so interacting with one person on this spectrum isn’t generalizable to everyone else. I’ve found that each person presents a unique constellation of abilities and challenges, and the best way forward is to ask and get to know each person I meet. Learning about autism and how my child experiences the world has made me a better person, which I hope has carried over into work as well. The most significant impact is raising awareness of sensory needs in the workplace. We all have sensory needs to varying degrees, and understanding that they are genuine makes me more empathetic, accommodating, and patient. Considering the needs of the neurodivergent community If my child grows up wanting to work in the tech industry like I do, I’d advise them to remember their needs and seek a role at a company that seems like the best fit. For example, does working from home help them avoid auditory overstimulation? Awareness of their legal rights is paramount, though; they should ask for the accommodations they need to succeed. I’m sure it’s the parent in me, but the most essential advice is that they take care of themselves. Having time off, structuring their workday and environment to meet their needs, and having a healthy sensory diet are all foundational for doing their best work. To workplaces and colleagues, I encourage you to consider that creating inclusive spaces can be both physical and metaphorical. I’m reminded of a previous employer that set out a specific neurodivergent space at its customer conferences for attendees. I can only speak for what has helped my family, but having alternative options and authority figures willing to compromise when accommodation is outside the norm is impactful. As I teach my child to advocate for their own needs, I rely on the rest of us to meet them with understanding and flexibility. The impact of increasing awareness When talking about impact, there’s no denying that millions of individuals and families benefit from increased awareness, understanding, and inclusivity in our society. Speaking from my own experience as a parent, even if we don’t take advantage of specifically autism-friendly events or spaces, just knowing they are available takes some stress off of daily “how am I going to make this work?” questions. Taking advantage of sensory-friendly activities, for example, allows my child to have the same experiences as everyone else, making them feel included and accepted. For kids, shared experiences are essential for social belonging, and when you’re already experiencing the world differently, that can be a very challenging area to begin with. As I reflect on Autism Awareness Month, I encourage my friends and colleagues to work towards learning about and supporting neurodiversity in their communities. Some of the best ways to do this are simply through asking and researching. Information abounds, and so does the work of learning rather than expecting to be taught. You can also participate in (or start) a community group or employee resource group — like Config at MongoDB , a global employee resource group focused on disability and neurodiversity at MongoDB. The more we strive to educate ourselves and create inclusive environments for everyone, the better our workplaces and communities will become. Learn more about Diversity & Inclusion at MongoDB.
Architecting Success as a Woman in Tech
Celia Halenke , Solutions Architect at MongoDB, shares insight into the skills, experiences, and aspirations that shape her MongoDB journey in the dynamic world of technology. Plus, learn about her advice for teams wanting to build more inclusive environments for women in tech sales. Mastering the balance: Technical and communication skills In my role, it's all about having a strong blend of technical skills and effective communication. To succeed as a pre-sales Solutions Architect, you need to blend both seamlessly. I’ve had to learn the ins and outs of MongoDB's technology, but equally important is grasping the unique challenges and objectives my clients face. This allows me to craft solutions that are not just tailored but perfectly aligned with their needs. Communication is just as important. From running demos to conducting workshops with people from diverse backgrounds, clear and concise communication is a must. It's not just about showcasing the technology; it's about ensuring everyone is on the same page. Team collaboration is another vital aspect of my role. Working closely with sales reps, CSMs, product managers, and engineers requires building strong relationships. These connections are not just essential for success but play a significant role in personal growth. Celia and team members Fostering inclusivity in tech Being a woman in tech, I can't stress enough the importance of seeing more women in leadership roles. It's not just about breaking stereotypes; it's about having role models who inspire and motivate. That's why promoting women into leadership is crucial. Mentorship and leadership programs specifically designed for women can make a significant impact, providing the support and guidance needed to thrive in a historically male-dominated industry tech. I'm proud to be part of MongoDB, where employee resource groups for women and other communities create a supportive environment. More companies should consider implementing similar initiatives to foster inclusivity and provide platforms for sharing experiences. Celebrating success One of the highlights of my journey at MongoDB has been working closely with the Product Led Sales team. They have recognized me for my efforts for two consecutive quarters, which is a testament to the trust and collaboration I’ve built within the team. It feels really good! Knowing that my work is valued and appreciated motivates me to keep pushing boundaries. I encourage women to make time to celebrate their accomplishments. The joys of customer interaction What I love most about my customer-facing role is the direct interaction with our customers. Understanding their projects, and the problems they aim to solve, and then offering them the perfect MongoDB Atlas feature brings me immense satisfaction. Recently, I had the opportunity to visit clients on-site during a business trip to Latin America. I enjoyed this experience and it changed my perspective on customer interactions: though not as quick as hopping on a video conference, in-person sessions are some of the most engaging. Celia in Latin America Aspirations and future growth Looking ahead, my goal is to continue growing as a Solutions Architect at MongoDB! Embracing the evolving challenges of my role allows me to constantly learn and enhance my communication and technical skills. I aspire to work with larger customers, witnessing firsthand the positive impact MongoDB's applications can have on people's lives. As I gather more experience, I'm eager to take on a leadership role, guiding others in their MongoDB journeys . My journey at MongoDB is a testament to the ever-evolving landscape of technology, where success is not just about technical expertise but also about building meaningful connections, fostering inclusivity, and celebrating every milestone along the way. Learn more about Sell Like a Girl and MDBWomen, Employee Resource Groups supporting a community of women around the world at MongoDB.
They Asked, We Answered: A Q&A on Joining MongoDB’s Remote Solutions Center
Our Remote Solutions Center (RSC) team offers those with technical backgrounds interested in working with customers an opportunity to jumpstart a career in pre-sales. We asked Soheyl Rafi, Solutions Architect and former Remote Solutions Center team member, some common questions candidates have about joining the team. What is the day-to-day like on the Remote Solutions Center team? Working in the Remote Solutions Center is a dynamic and ever-changing experience, with each day bringing unique challenges and opportunities. You can expect a blend of calls, hands-on activities, customer interactions, and problem-solving. The variety keeps the role super interesting. Part of the diverse work environment comes from the collaboration that this role inherently entails. Throughout the day, you’ll engage in various customer interactions such as discussing project requirements and challenges to proposing tailored solutions. Another aspect could be your involvement in Technical Feasibility Workshops with customers. This is where your deep technical knowledge comes into play. You’ll be addressing intricate technical questions, providing insights, and ensuring that our solutions align with the customer’s needs. Enablement also plays a pivotal part in the day-to-day. You will spend a lot of time learning new technologies and features released by our Product team, understanding the competition, and staying abreast of the market as a whole. All in all, the day-to-day work is extremely diverse, and you’ll need to both enjoy and be comfortable wearing multiple hats. What can I expect during the onboarding phase? When you join the RSC, you can expect a comprehensive onboarding experience that covers both technical and sales aspects. Our onboarding plan is designed to provide hands-on training, ensuring that you become familiar with MongoDB technology and business processes. From a technical standpoint, you’ll have access to detailed training sessions and resources. You’ll be guided through the intricacies of our products and services, allowing you to build a strong foundation in your technical knowledge. On the sales front, we have a tailored onboarding plan that focuses on honing the skills required for successful client engagement. This includes understanding our market positioning, customer needs, and effective sales strategies. You will be exposed to real-world scenarios and practical exercises to enhance your sales acumen. To complement your onboarding experience, each new team member is paired with a more senior peer within the RSC. This mentorship helps you begin to build relationships within the team and provides valuable insights and guidance on navigating the role effectively. In addition, RSC leadership recognizes the importance of learning from industry veterans. That’s why each new hire is also paired with a seasoned professional from outside the RSC who acts as a Solution Architecture buddy. This experienced mentor with tenure in the industry will offer a unique perspective and share valuable insights to accelerate your learning. To gain practical exposure, you will have the opportunity to shadow calls and workshops conducted by experienced team members. This hands-on approach allows you to observe firsthand how we conduct business, manage client interactions, and collaborate within the team. In summary, our onboarding program within the RSC is a holistic approach that combines technical training, sales development, mentorship, and practical experience. How often can I expect to collaborate with Solutions Architects (SAs) in the field? As an SA within the RSC, collaboration with SAs in the field is consistently high. We are strategically positioned around account activities and proactively engage with our counterparts in the field teams. Depending on the opportunity during an engagement, you might assist in the early stages of the sales cycle, such as discovery and demos, before passing the deal onto the field SA. Collaboration in these engagements is pivotal, requiring alignment to ensure a seamless handover to the field teams. What internal career development opportunities are there for me? Upon joining the RSC team, you’ll immerse yourself in a dynamic learning environment. Unlike traditional career structures, the RSC team fosters an environment where you are in the driver’s seat, dictating the pace of your internal career development. No artificial roadblocks hinder you from taking on more challenging and senior-level tasks. Your dedication, skills, and initiative are the primary determinants of how quickly you progress. While there are specific tasks you’ll work on in your day-to-day, you’ll also have a wide range of internal projects available to enhance your skill sets and advance your career within MongoDB. In a team with diverse interests and skills, you can choose projects that align with your passion and interests. You’ll find yourself in a situation with structured learning paths, mentorship programs, project leadership opportunities, and a career trajectory limited only by your aspirations. In my career journey, I’ve achieved my goal of growing from an Associate SA to being promoted to a Solutions Architect for our enterprise customers. I am now a dedicated Solutions Architect to one of our biggest financial customers, helping them in their digital transformation and expanding their MongoDB footprint. What new things will I learn if I join the team? The question should be, “What will you not learn?” Databases are at the center of every tech stack. You will be exposed to and gain an understanding of the entire tech stack, including the underlying infrastructure and the application that will be built on top of MongoDB. In your role, you’ll find yourself engaging with customers to discuss the various technologies used in application development, the infrastructure decisions made, and other database solutions that are either part of their tech stack or under consideration. Each customer employs different methodologies for developing software and utilizes various programming languages and solutions. It is pivotal as an SA in the RSC to comprehend these diverse solutions and effectively communicate them to our customers. Beyond the technical aspects, you will start to see things from a macro perspective. Understanding your customer’s business is crucial. You will need to learn how to align technical solutions with business objectives, considering factors such as budget, timelines, and return on investment. Learn more about applying your technical skills and engaging with customers as part of our Remote Solutions Center.