Staff Software Engineer - Server Networking Security (Rust)

About the Role

Join our Server Ingress Security team focused on redesigning MongoDB Server’s ingress networking to bolster cluster security. This team develops the Atlas Network Protection layer—a suite of high-performance, critical security services aimed at reinforcing MongoDB’s pre-authentication defenses and enabling rapid responses to emerging threats. As a founding Staff Engineer, you'll be pivotal in shaping our multi-year vision.

We promote an inclusive, diverse, and collaborative culture. This role is ideal for a technical leader passionate about applying security and systems engineering principles to safeguard a widely used database at scale. Candidates based in Dublin or Cork are preferred for our hybrid model.

Responsibilities

• Steer technical direction for Ingress Security alongside Server, Atlas, SRE, and Product Security stakeholders.
• Lead planning and delivery of technical solutions to complex security and networking challenges.
• Design, develop, and maintain production-ready security services in Rust with emphasis on correctness, performance, and operational excellence.
• Partner with engineering leadership and cross-functional teams to enhance the MongoDB ingress security posture.
• Provide guidance on engineering complexity, risk assessment, and project interdependencies.
• Manage urgent production issues requiring expert intervention.
• Troubleshoot test failures, identify bugs and regressions, and implement fixes.
• Conduct software engineering interviews and support talent development and team growth.
• Stay informed on the latest advances in systems and network security, and memory-safe programming from industry and academia.

Requirements

• Minimum of 10 years’ experience building large-scale, production-grade system software with high code quality standards.
• Proficiency in managing extensive backend or compiled codebases, preferably using Rust.
• Hands-on experience in security-centric or network-related domains is advantageous.
• Strong fundamentals in systems programming including multithreading and performance profiling.
• Knowledge of network protocols, TLS, connection management, and security best practices such as attack surface minimization, input validation, memory safety, and layered defense.
• Excellent communication skills tailored for both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Demonstrated mentorship capabilities and enthusiasm for developing peers through coaching.
• Effective time management and realistic evaluation of project complexity.
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or related field, or equivalent experience, with solid grounding in data structures, algorithms, and architectural design for high-availability, security-critical systems.
• Continuous learner with a passion for advances in computer science and software engineering.

Success Metrics

• Within the first month: Gain comprehensive understanding of the Atlas Network Protection architecture, set up the development environment, and resolve initial bugs.
• By three months: Make meaningful contributions to Rust developments, manage code reviews, and engage in design evaluations.
• At six months: Independently lead major feature development and mentor junior engineers.
• Within twelve months: Lead planning, design, and execution of significant enhancements to security, performance, availability, and operations.

About MongoDB

MongoDB enables rapid innovation through its unified, globally available data platform designed for the AI era. With broad cloud availability across AWS, Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure, MongoDB supports over 67,000 customers, including 75% of Fortune 100 companies, empowering industry transformation.

Our culture emphasizes leadership, mutual support, and empowering employees through inclusive policies such as fertility assistance and family leave, ensuring personal and professional growth.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

We are committed to equal opportunity and provide accommodations for individuals with disabilities throughout our hiring process.