Staff Database Developer, MAX Digital

ACV Auctions; Toronto; On-site; CAD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare & dental benefits

Employee stock purchase program

Parental leave top-up

Job summary

ACV Auctions is seeking a Staff Engineer, Database to lead the evolution of the data platform behind the MAX Digital SaaS product. You will design, optimize, and modernize transactional and analytical data systems, including SQL Server and MongoDB, while ensuring reliability for business-critical operations.

The ideal candidate brings 10+ years in software engineering, strong SQL skills, deep data modeling expertise, and a track record of guiding data architecture modernization and ETL/ELT

Qualifications

• 10+ years of professional software engineering experience with deep Microsoft SQL Server expertise
• Experience with data platforms in SaaS environments and modern data architectures
• Strong knowledge of data modeling, query optimization, and scalability

Responsibilities

• Lead architectural design and technical decision-making for core data platform components.
• Design, develop, and implement features within SQL Server and MongoDB with a focus on performance and security.
• Collaborate with product managers, designers, and engineers to translate requirements into specifications.
• Mentor junior engineers and perform code reviews to promote best practices.
• Evaluate and evolve data architectures, pipelines, and ETL/ELT workflows for improved observability and resilience.
• Define scalable data pipeline approaches and orchestration patterns across shared platform components.
• Partner with analytics teams to optimize data exchange between transactional and analytical systems.

Skills

SQL Server

PostgreSQL

MongoDB

Data modeling

Performance tuning

ETL/ELT

Python

C/C++

C#

Leadership

Education

BS in Computer Science or related field

Tools

MongoDB

PostgreSQL

Job description

If you are looking for a career at a dynamic company with a people-first mindset and a deep culture of growth and autonomy, ACV is the right place for you! Competitive compensation packages and learning and development opportunities, ACV has what you need to advance to the next level in your career. We will continue to raise the bar every day by investing in our people and technology to help our customers succeed. We hire people who share our passion, bring innovative ideas to the table, and enjoy a collaborative atmosphere.

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:

• Company Sponsored (paid) Healthcare, Dental, Vision, Life/AD&D, Short-Term and Long-Term Disability.
• Comprehensive additional optional benefits such Critical Illness and Supplemental Life/AD&D.
• All insurance benefits go into effect on your date of hire.
• Generous Parental Leave Top-Up Pay and Vacation Programs.
• Employee Stock Purchase Program with additional opportunities to earn stock in the company.
• Retirement planning through the Company’s RRSP.

Who we are looking for:

ACV Auctions is looking for a Staff Engineer, Database to join our ACV MAX Engineering team and lead the evolution of the data platform behind our SaaS product, MAX Digital. This role will focus on the design, optimization, and modernization of transactional and analytical data systems, including SQL Server–based platforms, synchronization workflows, and cross-system data integration patterns.

The ideal candidate has a strong track record of technical leadership in complex data environments, with deep expertise in SQL Server, data modeling, performance tuning, and scalable platform design. They should also bring experience modernizing legacy data architectures and defining practical approaches for data pipelines, orchestration, and system integration while preserving the reliability of business-critical systems.

What you will do:

• Lead the architectural design and technical decision-making process for core data platform components, including SQL Server systems, data models, synchronization patterns, and cross-system data workflows, ensuring alignment with product goals and engineering standards.
• Design, develop, and implement complex features and enhancements within SQL Server and MongoDB, considering performance, scalability, and security aspects.
• Collaborate with product managers, designers, and other engineers to define requirements and translate them into technical specifications.
• Mentor and guide junior engineers, providing technical expertise, code reviews, and best practices to foster professional growth.
• Evaluate SQL and MongoDB environments and produce/execute plans to evolve the data architecture/infrastructure of our platform, ensuring that development engineers can work easily and effectively.
• Lead the evaluation and modernization of legacy ETL-style, batch, and synchronization workflows that support core business operations.
• Define scalable approaches for data pipeline architecture and orchestration that improve observability, supportability, recoverability, and operational resilience.
• Partner with application, product, and analytics teams to improve how transactional systems, analytical systems, and downstream integrations exchange data, reducing reliance on tightly coupled legacy database-driven workflows where appropriate.
• Standardize patterns for data synchronization, transformation, validation, and downstream delivery across shared platform components.
• Drive performance optimization efforts across both operational and batch-oriented workloads, including query tuning, indexing strategy, workload analysis, and data lifecycle considerations.
• Investigate and resolve complex technical issues, applying a systematic approach to troubleshooting and debugging.
• Collaborate with quality assurance teams to ensure robust testing strategies, including unit, integration, and performance testing.
• Stay current with industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices, and apply this knowledge to improve the SQL Server product.
• Participate in cross-functional collaboration with teams such as documentation, support, and customer engagement to address customer needs effectively.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of development processes, tools, and methodologies.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

What you will need:

• Ability to read, write, speak and understand English.
• BS in Computer Science or related technical discipline or equivalent practical experience required. Advanced degrees are a plus.
• 10+ years’ professional experience in software engineering with deep Microsoft SQL Serever expertise; experience with PostgreSQL and MongoDB is a plus
• Strong proficiency in database internals, query optimization, and performance tuning.
• Deep expertise in SQL/T-SQL programming, database design principles, and data modeling.
• Solid understanding of SaaS, distributed systems, scalability, and high availability concepts.
• Experience with Python, C/C++, C#, or other relevant programming languages.
• Proven track record of designing and implementing complex software features with a focus on quality, maintainability, and performance.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to navigate complex technical challenges.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively in cross-functional teams.
• Previous experience in a technical leadership or mentoring role is highly desirable.
• Microsoft certifications related to SQL Server are a plus.
• Experience designing, implementing, or modernizing ETL/ELT workflows, batch processing, synchronization services, or application-integrated data pipelines.

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, skillset, location, business needs, market demands, and other factors as permitted by law.