Director, Hardware Engineering & Operations

Director, Hardware Engineering & Operations

Overview

ACV is a technology company transforming how dealers buy and sell cars online. We are building the most trusted and efficient digital marketplace with data solutions for sourcing, selling and managing used vehicles with transparency and comprehensive insights. This role defines the hardware strategy for ACV as we scale advanced technology products enabling AI-based solutions to automate vehicle data acquisition and grow value for customers. You will oversee the engineering, production, and lifecycle management of proprietary vehicle scanning and inspection hardware used by franchise car dealerships in the US and the internal tools used by ACV’s team of 800+ vehicle inspectors. You will connect R&D innovation with commercial reality to ensure hardware is effective, user-friendly, reliable, and affordable.

Who we are

ACV is a technology company that has revolutionized how dealers buy and sell cars online. We are transforming the automotive industry. ACV Auctions Inc. (ACV) has applied innovation and user-designed, data driven applications and solutions. We are building the most trusted and efficient digital marketplace with data solutions for sourcing, selling and managing used vehicles with transparency and comprehensive insights that were once unimaginable. We are disruptors of the industry and we want you to join us on our journey. Our network of brands include ACV Auctions, ACV Transportation, ClearCar, MAX Digital and ACV Capital within its Marketplace Products, as well as True360 and Data Services.

At ACV we focus on the Health, Physical, Financial, Social and Emotional Wellness of our Teammates and, to support this, we offer:

• 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 and Critical Illness Insurance
• Generous paid time off options, including uncapped vacation days, the greater of 3 paid sick days or in accordance with the applicable state or local paid sick leave law, 6 paid company holidays, 2 floating holidays, parental leave, bereavement leave, jury duty leave, voting leave, and other forms of paid leave as required by applicable law or regulation
• Employee Stock Purchase Program with additional opportunities to earn stock in the Company
• Retirement planning through the Company’s 401(k)

Who we are looking for

This is a rare opportunity to define the hardware strategy for a market leader transforming the automotive industry. As the Director, Hardware Engineering & Operations, you will lead ACV's effort to build at scale advanced technology products enabling AI-based solutions to further automate vehicle data acquisition and to grow the value we bring to our customers.

We are looking for a hands-on individual to oversee the engineering, production, and lifecycle management of our proprietary vehicle scanning and inspection hardware used by franchise car dealerships in the US and the specialized tools used internally by ACV’s team of 800+ vehicle inspectors. You will act as the connective tissue between R&D innovation and commercial reality, ensuring that ACV's scanning and inspection products are effective, user-friendly, reliable, and affordable.

What you will do

• Strategic Leadership & Team Building : Lead strategic efforts to build and scale hardware products and teams with a product lifecycle management focus.
• Organizational Design : Develop and lead both internal and external resources to scale a hardware product solution for ACV with a product lifecycle management focus.
• Financial Management : Own the hardware cost structure, including partnerships, CapEx and OpEx planning.
• System Architecture : Own the system-level hardware architecture, ensuring seamless integration with firmware, software, and ACV’s broader cloud ecosystem.
• Design Engineering : Lead mechanical, electrical, and quality engineering functions required for the ongoing design and launch of hardware based ACV products.
• Engineering Partnership Development : Create the right team to support the product design, launch, and manufacturing ownership of ACV hardware products.
• New Product Introduction : Develop ACV processes for effective phase-gate product development and the project management of hardware programs.
• Quality Management System : Develop rigorous reliability and test engineering/validation processes to ensure production-ready robust hardware certified to meet applicable safety and regulatory standards.
• Supply Chain & Manufacturing Operations
• Vendor Evaluation & Strategy : Lead an evaluation of our current hardware development and supply-chain process and strategy to support scalable, high-quality products on time and under budget. The scope will include engineering, tooling, manufacturing, supply chain, and field support services. This role will own the management of ACV hardware strategy to End-of-Life.
• Asset Management : Create and lead the end-to-end asset management function for the deployment and distribution for all ACV hardware products and components used by customers and ACV ensuring high availability, tracking utilization, and minimizing shrinkage/loss.
• Quality, Support & Documentation, Training
• Root Cause Analysis (RCA) : Lead RCA investigations for critical field issues, implementing systemic corrective actions to improve hardware reliability.
• Technical Documentation : Oversee the creation of technical documentation, user manuals, and troubleshooting guides to empower our Customer Support and Sales Engineering teams and ensure a consistent customer experience.
• Reverse Logistics (RMA) : Design and manage the support lifecycle, including RMA processes to optimize the hardware support lifecycle, reducing downtime and maintaining operational continuity.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

What you will need

• Education : BSEE, BSME, or equivalent Engineering , or a related technical field is required. MBA is a plus.
• Experience : 10+ years of experience in hardware engineering and operations, with a strong mix of technical individual contribution and department-level leadership. Must have hardware design engineering experience with a strong knowledge of CAD solid modeling, and electro-mechanical systems engineering.
• B2B Commercialization : A proven track record of taking hardware products from concept to mass production in a collaborative environment with internal business units, supply partners, and customers.
• Supply Chain Expertise : Demonstrated success in the strategic oversight of the end-to-end supply chain, including contract manufacturer evaluation, vendor partnerships, and operational execution, to drive cost efficiency, quality, and timely delivery.
• Technical Knowledge : Experience with video-based imaging systems and connected IoT devices is highly preferred.
• Strategic & Hands-On : Ability to balance high-level strategic planning with hands-on execution and problem-solving.
• Tools and Process : Proficiency in PLM (Product Lifecycle Management), ERP, and manufacturing software tools.
• Ability to read, write, speak and understand English.

Travel & Location Requirements

While this role can be based remotely, it will require a significant on-site presence at our corporate headquarters in Buffalo, NY for the first year.

Year 1: Expect up to 50% travel/time on-site to hire the team, establish culture, and align with executive leadership.

Year 2+: Travel is expected to normalize to approximately 10-20%.

Ability to travel occasionally is also expected.

Our Values

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

At ACV, we are committed to an inclusive culture in which every individual is welcomed and empowered to celebrate their true selves. We achieve this by fostering a work environment of acceptance and understanding that is free from discrimination. ACV is committed to being an equal opportunity employer regardless of sex, race, creed, color, religion, marital status, national origin, age, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, disability, military status, status as a veteran, or any other protected characteristic. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you have a disability or special need that requires reasonable accommodation, please let us know.

For information on our collection and use of your personal information, please see our Privacy Notice.

No immigration or work visa sponsorship provided for this position.

Compensation : The compensation range for this position is listed in the "Job Details" section at the bottom of this posting. Please note that final compensation will be determined based upon the applicant's relevant experience, skill set, location, business needs, market demands, and other factors as permitted by law.

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