Staff Technical Program Manager - job 1 of 3

The Staff Technical Program Manager at MongoDB is responsible for overseeing the successful delivery of complex, cross-functional projects. This role requires collaboration with various stakeholders across Engineering, Product, and Product Design teams to align with business objectives. The position also involves recognizing patterns in data to uncover solutions, acting as a mentor to junior TPMs, and fostering strategic partnerships to enhance program outcomes.

Ideal candidates for the Staff Technical Program Manager position at MongoDB should have over 10 years of experience in an engineering setting, with at least 5 years in software development. They must possess strong analytical skills and the ability to partner with technical teams to navigate engineering challenges. Familiarity with project tracking software like Jira and a background in generative AI or machine learning is also beneficial.

At MongoDB, we are dedicated to nurturing the development of our employees, including Staff Technical Program Managers. We offer a supportive cultural environment that includes resources such as employee affinity groups, fertility assistance, and generous parental leave policies. Our commitment to your wellbeing ensures that you thrive both personally and professionally as you contribute to our mission.

A Staff Technical Program Manager at MongoDB should be skilled in using project tracking software like Jira, Rally, or MS Project. Additionally, familiarity with methodologies for code analysis, refactoring, and automated testing is advantageous, helping to maintain high standards in program development and execution.

In Barcelona, a Staff Technical Program Manager at MongoDB will enjoy a hybrid working model, promoting a balanced work-life dynamic. Our office embraces a collaborative environment where innovation thrives, and employees are encouraged to share ideas and engage directly with diverse teams across the organization.

When answering this question, focus on specific examples where you successfully managed complex projects involving multiple teams. Highlight your communication strategies, how you organized workflows, and any tools you used, such as Jira, to track progress. Emphasize the outcomes and lessons learned.

Demonstrate your ability to prioritize tasks by providing a structured approach. Discuss how you assess the importance of each task against business objectives and stakeholder needs. Also, illustrate your communication techniques to manage expectations when conflicts arise.

Share your methods for communicating complex technical information in simple terms. Discuss any tools or practices you utilize, like regular check-ins and updates, to keep all parties informed. Highlight the importance of empathy in understanding stakeholder concerns and needs.

Explain how you begin each program by understanding the bigger picture of the business goals. Discuss how you set measurable objectives and KPIs for your programs to ensure ongoing alignment and adapt as necessary based on feedback or changing conditions.

Focus on a specific example where you guided a junior TPM or team member through a challenging project. Describe your mentoring style, the advice you offered, and how you helped them build skills and confidence, highlighting the positive impact on the team and project.

Discuss your approach to technical design discussions, focusing on how you gather input from diverse perspectives and ensure all voices are heard. Highlight the importance of summarizing trade-offs and outcomes, which helps teams make informed decisions effectively.

Share the organizational tools and techniques you use, such as checklists, Kanban boards, or project management software. Talk about the importance of setting milestones, regular reviews, and updating stakeholders to ensure transparency and accountability across multiple work streams.

Explain how you leverage data analysis tools and methodologies to gather and interpret information relevant to your projects. Provide examples of specific data points you track and how they inform strategic decision-making, ultimately driving project success.

Speak about your familiarity with agile workflows and practices, including sprint planning, stand-ups, and retrospectives. Share examples of how you've employed agile methods within previous roles to foster adaptability and maximize project efficiency.

Reflect on your alignment with MongoDB's mission of empowering innovators and how the company's values resonate with your own. Discuss your enthusiasm for working within the tech landscape, specifically with databases like MongoDB Atlas, and your desire to contribute to impactful projects in such a dynamic environment.