📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Lead, Technical Writer
🔹 Company: MongoDB
🔹 Location: Canada
🔹 Job Type: Full-time, Remote
🔹 Category: Technical Writing
🔹 Date Posted: April 10, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years
🔹 Remote Status: Remote (United States and Canada)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Leading a team of technical writers to create world-class documentation for MongoDB’s cloud products and cloud architecture recommendations.
- Prioritizing and planning documentation projects, and influencing the strategic vision for MongoDB docs.
- Guiding the production of clear and consistent product documentation, architecture recommendations, and tutorials.
- Collaborating with engineering, product, design, developer relations, and product marketing teams to ensure documentation meets user needs.
- Fostering a positive and effective team culture, and developing the writing, testing, and technical skills of the team through coaching.
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a balance of leadership, technical writing, and project management skills. The ideal candidate will have experience in all three areas and be comfortable working in a collaborative, agile environment.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Lead a small technical writing team with opportunity for team growth
✅ Integrate with a highly collaborative group of documentation leaders to build a strong cross-functional documentation team
✅ Work cross-functionally with Engineering, Product, Design, Developer Relations, and Product Marketing to ensure the documentation meets the needs of our users
✅ Foster a positive and effective team culture
✅ Develop the writing, testing, and technical skills of the team through coaching
✅ Contribute feedback to the team through copy review and planning discussions
✅ Collaborate with Engineering and Product on the team’s roadmap
✅ Interview and hire talented writers for all areas of the MongoDB Docs team
✅ Advocate for users in everything your team produces
✅ Produce technically accurate and well-written documentation when time permits
ASSUMPTION: This role involves a mix of management, writing, and collaboration tasks. The ideal candidate will be comfortable balancing these responsibilities and working with various teams to achieve common goals.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in English, Journalism, Technical Communication, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
Experience: 2+ years of experience managing a team of technical writers, developer advocates, or other technical communications-focused roles. Extensive technical writing experience.
Required Skills:
- Proven leadership skills in managing and growing a team of technical writers
- Experience prioritizing and planning documentation projects
- Strong critical reading and writing skills
- Experience writing content for the software architect persona
- Experience with cloud and database technologies
- Ability to write code for technical examples in at least one programming language (e.g., C++, C, Java, Python, JavaScript)
- Comfortable reading and interpreting code
Preferred Skills:
- Experience with MongoDB products
- Experience working in an agile environment
- Familiarity with Git and markdown
ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will have a strong background in technical writing and team management, with a solid understanding of cloud and database technologies. Experience with MongoDB products is a plus but not required.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: CAD 137,000 - 189,000 per year (based on experience and location)
Benefits:
- 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
- Health, Dental, and Vision Benefits
Working Hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week (with flexible hours and remote work options)
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is based on industry standards for technical writing roles with management responsibilities. The benefits listed are applicable to candidates based in Canada.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: MongoDB operates in the software development industry, specifically focusing on database technology and cloud services. The company is a leader in its field, with a large global customer base and a strong reputation for innovation and quality.
Company Size: MongoDB has 5,001-10,000 employees, making it a large organization. This size allows for ample opportunities for career growth and collaboration with diverse teams.
Founded: MongoDB was founded in 2007 and has since grown to become a publicly traded company with offices worldwide.
Company Description:
- MongoDB's mission is to empower innovators to create, transform, and disrupt industries by unleashing the power of software and data.
- The company offers a modern database platform that allows development teams to address the growing requirements for today's wide variety of modern applications, all in a unified and consistent user experience.
- MongoDB has tens of thousands of customers in over 100 countries and has been downloaded hundreds of millions of times since 2007.
Company Specialties:
- Open source databases
- Cloud-based database services
- Software development tools and platforms
- Data management and analytics
Company Website: http://www.mongodb.com
ASSUMPTION: MongoDB is a well-established company with a strong presence in the software development industry. The company's size and success provide a stable and supportive environment for employees, with ample opportunities for growth and development.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: This role is at the senior level, requiring a combination of technical expertise, leadership skills, and project management experience.
Reporting Structure: The Lead, Technical Writer will report directly to the Director of Technical Writing and collaborate with other documentation leaders, engineering, product, design, developer relations, and product marketing teams.
Work Arrangement: This role is remote and can be based in the United States or Canada. It offers flexible hours and the opportunity to work from home.
Growth Opportunities:
- As the team grows, there will be opportunities for the Lead, Technical Writer to take on additional responsibilities and advance their career within the MongoDB Docs team or the broader organization.
- MongoDB values internal mobility and encourages employees to explore different roles and teams as their interests and skills evolve.
- The company offers various training and development programs to help employees grow professionally and personally.
ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique opportunity to lead a team and make a significant impact on the quality and effectiveness of MongoDB's documentation. With the company's support for internal mobility and growth, there are ample opportunities for career advancement.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Remote (with occasional team meetings and events)
Office Location(s): The Lead, Technical Writer can be based in the United States or Canada and will work remotely with a distributed team.
Geographic Context:
- The United States and Canada offer a diverse range of cultural, recreational, and professional opportunities for employees.
- Both countries have well-established tech industries, providing ample opportunities for networking and professional development.
- The cost of living and quality of life can vary significantly between regions, so it's essential to research specific locations when considering a move.
Work Schedule: Full-time, 40 hours per week (with flexible hours and remote work options)
ASSUMPTION: The remote work arrangement offers flexibility and work-life balance, allowing employees to work from the comfort of their own homes or preferred co-working spaces. The geographic context provides a wide range of opportunities for employees to live and work in diverse and vibrant communities.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application review
- Phone or video screen with the hiring manager
- Technical writing test or project
- Final interview with the team and other stakeholders
- Background check and offer
Key Assessment Areas:
- Technical writing skills and experience
- Leadership and team management skills
- Project planning and prioritization skills
- Collaboration and communication skills
- Understanding of cloud and database technologies
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role.
- Provide examples of your technical writing work, including documentation, tutorials, or other relevant content.
- Prepare for the technical writing test or project by reviewing MongoDB's documentation and familiarizing yourself with the company's products and services.
- Research MongoDB's company culture and values to ensure a good fit for your personal work style and career goals.
- Follow up with the hiring manager after your interview to express your interest in the role and ask any remaining questions.
ATS Keywords: Technical Writing, Lead, Team Management, Documentation Planning, Cloud Technologies, Database Technologies, Programming, User Advocacy, Technical Examples, Writing Best Practices
ASSUMPTION: The application process for this role is competitive, and candidates should be prepared to demonstrate their technical writing skills and leadership potential. Researching MongoDB's products, services, and company culture will help candidates tailor their application materials and prepare for the interview process.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Markdown (e.g., GitHub Flavored Markdown)
- Git
- Confluence or similar collaboration software
- JIRA or similar project management software
- MongoDB Atlas and other MongoDB products
ASSUMPTION: The tools and technologies listed are commonly used in technical writing roles and are essential for collaborating with engineering, product, and other teams. Familiarity with these tools and technologies is expected for candidates applying for this role.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Empower innovators to create, transform, and disrupt industries
- Unleash the power of software and data
- Provide a unified and consistent user experience
- Foster a positive and effective team culture
- Develop the skills and careers of our employees
Work Style:
- Collaborative and agile
- Focused on user needs and customer success
- Data-driven and results-oriented
- Transparent and open communication
- Continuous learning and improvement
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you align with MongoDB's mission to empower innovators and unleash the power of software and data?
- Are you comfortable working in a collaborative, agile environment with a remote team?
- Do you have a growth mindset and a commitment to continuous learning and improvement?
ASSUMPTION: MongoDB values employees who are passionate about its mission, comfortable working in a collaborative environment, and committed to continuous learning and improvement. Candidates should assess their fit with the company's values and work style before applying.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- The role requires balancing leadership, technical writing, and project management responsibilities, which can be challenging for some candidates.
- Working remotely with a distributed team may present communication and collaboration challenges that require proactive management.
- The role involves working with multiple teams and stakeholders, which can be complex and time-consuming.
- The technical writing test or project may be challenging for some candidates, requiring a strong understanding of MongoDB's products and services.
ASSUMPTION: The potential challenges listed are common to many technical writing roles, and candidates should be prepared to address them proactively. Researching MongoDB's products, services, and company culture will help candidates prepare for the interview process and mitigate potential challenges.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is similar to other lead technical writer positions, but it focuses specifically on MongoDB's cloud products and cloud architecture recommendations.
- Compared to other technical writing roles, this position requires more leadership and project management experience.
- Career paths for technical writers can vary, but many progress from individual contributors to team leads, senior technical writers, or other specialized roles within the field.
ASSUMPTION: This role is unique in its focus on MongoDB's cloud products and cloud architecture recommendations. Candidates should research similar roles and career paths to ensure a good fit for their long-term goals.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing user guides and tutorials for MongoDB Atlas, focusing on cloud-based database services and architecture recommendations
- Creating architecture diagrams and other visual aids to illustrate complex technical concepts
- Writing and maintaining API documentation for MongoDB's cloud products
ASSUMPTION: The sample projects listed are representative of the types of tasks the Lead, Technical Writer may be responsible for. Candidates should be prepared to provide examples of their own work that demonstrate their technical writing skills and experience.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the team's current documentation priorities and roadmap?
- How does this role collaborate with other documentation teams and stakeholders within MongoDB?
- What are the most significant challenges facing the MongoDB Docs team, and how can this role help address them?
- How does MongoDB support the professional development and growth of its technical writers?
- What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this role, and how will my success be measured?
ASSUMPTION: Asking thoughtful and insightful questions during the interview process demonstrates a candidate's interest in the role and commitment to understanding the organization's goals and priorities.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Prepare for the technical writing test or project by reviewing MongoDB's documentation and familiarizing yourself with the company's products and services
- Research MongoDB's company culture and values to ensure a good fit for your personal work style and career goals
- Follow up with the hiring manager after your interview to express your interest in the role and ask any remaining questions
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
