Embedded Systems Engineer IV, R&D

About ACV

ACV is a technology company that has revolutionized how dealers buy and sell cars online, transforming the automotive industry with data‑driven applications and solutions. We build the most trusted and efficient digital marketplace for sourcing, selling, and managing used vehicles, offering transparency and comprehensive insights. Our network of brands includes ACV Auctions, ACV Transportation, ClearCar, MAX Digital, ACV Capital, True360, and Data Services. We prioritize the health, physical, financial, social, and emotional wellness of our teammates and foster a people‑first, growth‑oriented culture.

About the Role

As an Engineer IV, Embedded Systems within the R&D team, you will serve as a technical anchor for our next‑generation hardware platforms. You will design, develop, and optimize high‑performance software running on a variety of embedded systems—from single‑board computers and edge AI compute modules to custom ARM architectures—while owning the full software lifecycle for new devices.

Responsibilities

• Architect, implement, and maintain embedded software from initial prototypes to ruggedized, production‑grade code.
• Develop and optimize firmware and middleware on platforms including Raspberry Pi, NVIDIA Jetson, and ARM‑based System‑on‑Modules (SOMs).
• Write and debug low‑level drivers and interfaces for peripherals, cameras, and environmental sensors using I²C, SPI, UART, USB, and PCIe.
• Optimize software on compute‑constrained edge devices, leveraging hardware acceleration (e.g., CUDA, TensorRT) for real‑time data processing and computer‑vision pipelines.
• Design robust fault‑detection, automated recovery mechanisms, and secure over‑the‑air (OTA) firmware update systems.
• Partner closely with hardware/electrical engineers, mechanical designers, and cloud backend teams to define system architectures and interfaces.
• Drive code quality through rigorous code reviews, automated testing, and comprehensive documentation; mentor junior and mid‑level engineers.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Ability to read, write, speak, and understand English.
• BS degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field (or equivalent practical experience).
• 6+ years of professional experience in embedded software development with a proven track record of shipping commercial or industrial hardware products.
• Expert‑level proficiency in C and C++; strong scripting skills in Python or Bash for testing and automation.
• Deep experience developing within Embedded Linux environments (kernel configuration, device tree modification, custom driver development).
• Hands‑on experience building applications on Raspberry Pi (Linux/Debian) and NVIDIA Jetson (JetPack ecosystem).
• Solid understanding of hardware communication protocols: SPI, I²C, UART, CAN bus, USB.
• Experience interfacing with high‑resolution image sensors, cameras, or specialized sensors.
• Proficiency with modern software‑engineering tools: Git, CMake, Docker, and CI/CD pipelines tailored for embedded targets.
• Familiarity with networking stacks and IoT communication protocols (TCP/IP, UDP, MQTT, gRPC).
• Comfortable using lab equipment such as oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and multimeters to debug hardware/software boundary issues.
• Expertise in version‑control practices including trunk‑based development, multiple release planning, cherry‑picking, and rebase.

Nice to Have

• Experience with custom Linux distribution builders like Yocto Project or Buildroot.
• Familiarity with real‑time operating systems (RTOS) or bare‑metal ARM development.
• Experience deploying or optimizing machine‑learning models at the edge.

Benefits

• Multiple medical plans, including a high‑deductible, low‑cost health plan.
• Company‑sponsored (paid) Short‑Term Disability, Long‑Term Disability, and Life Insurance.
• Comprehensive optional benefits such as Dental, Vision, Supplemental Life/AD&D, Legal/ID Protection, and Accident & Critical Illness Insurance.
• Generous paid time off options, including uncapped vacation days, the greater of 3 paid sick days or state/local sick‑leave requirements, 6 paid company holidays, 2 floating holidays, parental leave, bereavement leave, jury duty leave, voting leave, and other legally required paid leave.
• Employee Stock Purchase Program with additional opportunities to earn stock in the company.
• Retirement planning through the company’s 401(k) plan.

Our Values

• Trust & Transparency
• People First
• Positive Experiences
• Calm Persistence
• Never Settling