MongoDB, A Sinking Ship: Silent layoffs to avoid paying severance, rising mismanagement, unethical contracts - Software Engineer III MongoDB Employee Review

2.0
Feb 15, 2023
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Individual contributors there are usually quite friendly, so often your teammates will be fun and kind. They offers most of the fun perks that you would expect of a modern tech company.

Cons

So many cons its hard to list: 1. Highly unethical contracts from MongoDB, i.e gut-wrenching contracts with inhumane organizations that I wish I could share more about. 2. Extremely poor management quality of MongoDB managers. It's only gotten worse over the past few years. From sexist managers, to nepotistic ones. Not to mention the ones who are highly unqualified to lead a team and become the yes-men for product at the expense of their team. Depending on your department you may actually get a really good manager, but because the hiring bar is all over the place in the past few years it's a huuge hit or miss. 3. Overspending in useless places: MongoDB spends ridiculous amounts of money on the stupidest perks, like expensive parties with champaign, having manicurist come in, etc. 4. No 401k match: I don't understand how you can spend money on the most unnecessary things, but not have any 401k matching. 5. Silent layoffs: MongoDB is actively having layoffs, without calling them layoffs. They recently announced they are "raising the bar". This is a way for MongoDB to layoff employees without paying severance, and it has very little to do with performance by itself. I believe middle management knows about this, and is being very discreet. 6. Unlimited PTO, i.e you don't actually get to go on vacation: In my time at MongoDB I was never allowed to properly take vacation time because the work was always so intense that you were discouraged from applying for weeks off. This is just a way to avoid paying out vacation time if employees don't use vacation. 7. Ridiculous workload (this might vary team to team): I've genuinely had days where I woke up and started coding right away, and then coded pretty much until I slept, and this happened so many times. You don't get any sort of thank you from management about this. In addition, so many employees are probably doing this kind of this but discouraged from talking about this in order to seem more productive so they can secretly match or exceed the absurd workload.

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5.0
Jun 8, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

The early talent team does a fantastic job supporting interns and making the transition from college to full-time comfortable. Team's truly do care for you

Cons

Felt like there was a lot changes happening at the executive level

1.0
Jun 6, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Employee stock purchase program is great.

Cons

This was one of the most toxic sales cultures I’ve experienced. Management creates an environment where you never know where you stand, regardless of your performance. Expectations constantly shift, feedback is inconsistent, and trust is virtually nonexistent. QBRs are particularly unprofessional. Rather than serving as coaching sessions, they often feel like coordinated attempts to find fault. Managers openly collaborate beforehand and during QBRs (yes, we see you slacking each other) to identify issues and pressure reps, creating a culture of fear instead of development. Account ownership is also a major concern. Accounts and opportunities can be taken away without warning, even when a rep is performing well and has invested significant time building relationships. This makes it difficult to feel motivated or confident in your long-term success. The organization measures and critiques nearly every activity, resulting in extreme micromanagement. Reps are treated as if they cannot be trusted to do their jobs, and leadership seems far more focused on monitoring and criticism than enabling success. In my experience, the company tends to hire less experienced salespeople who may be more willing to accept this environment. Strong, seasoned reps who value autonomy, transparency, and professional respect are unlikely to thrive here. If you’re looking for a culture built on trust, coaching, and empowerment, this is probably not the place.

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