C

CarGurus

Online automotive marketplace with price comparisons

Principal Software Engineer - Algorithmic Traffic Acquisition

Full-Time
$170k - $212k/yr+ Discretionary bonuses/incentives + Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)
Expert
Bachelor's
Boston, MA, USA
Hybrid
AI & Machine LearningApplied Machine Learning

About the job

Requirements
  • At least 10 years of software engineering experience building and operating large-scale, customer-facing systems.
  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a similar field.
  • Deep expertise in software architecture, distributed systems, APIs, and production engineering.
  • Experience leading technical direction across teams and driving complex, multi-quarter initiatives.
  • Strong experience with Kotlin, Java, C#, Python, or similar languages.
  • Strong SQL and relational database experience, including performance considerations.
  • Experience partnering with Data Science or machine learning teams to bring models into production.
  • Experience with recommendation, personalization, search, ranking, marketplace, or discovery systems.
  • Experience with machine learning platforms, real-time or batch feature pipelines, experimentation systems, model evaluation, or recommendation metrics.
  • Experience building consumer products that help users compare options, make decisions, or navigate a complex purchase journey.
  • Experience with cloud-native architectures, event-driven systems, streaming data, and high-volume services.
  • Hands-on technical leadership, including coding, architecture, design reviews, and mentoring engineers.
  • Curiosity about AI and experience using AI to improve products and engineering productivity.
Responsibilities
  • Set the technical direction for the recommendation platform and drive architecture across multiple teams.
  • Build scalable recommendation systems using shopper, vehicle, inventory, and behavioral signals.
  • Partner with Data Science to productionize models and continuously improve recommendation quality.
  • Drive personalization, ranking, experimentation, and AI-powered recommendation experiences throughout the shopper journey.
  • Lead complex, cross-functional initiatives from technical design through delivery and measurement.
  • Improve the reliability, scalability, observability, and operational excellence of recommendation services.
  • Influence technical decisions across the organization, mentor engineers, and raise the engineering bar through design and code reviews.
  • Leverage AI-assisted development to accelerate delivery while maintaining high standards for quality, security, and reliability.
  • Work closely with Data Science, Product, and other engineering teams to turn advances in machine learning and AI into intuitive consumer experiences.
Desired Qualifications
  • Kotlin is preferred.

About the company

CarGurus runs an online marketplace that connects buyers and sellers of new and used cars, mainly in the United States with presence in Canada, the United Kingdom, and Germany. It helps buyers, private sellers, and dealerships search listings, compare prices, and read dealer reviews, with a data-driven ranking that weighs price, dealer reputation, and vehicle history. Revenue comes from dealership subscriptions, advertising, and value-added services like financing options and vehicle history reports. The platform aims to make car buying and selling easier and more transparent by providing clear data and a simple, accessible interface.

Company Size

1,001-5,000

Company Stage

IPO

Headquarters

Boston, Massachusetts

Founded

2006

Get referred to CarGurus

See people who can refer or advise you

Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Q2 2026 revenue rose 13% to $251 million, with international revenue up 28%.
  • PriceVantage bookings jumped over 50% sequentially, lifting VDPs 15% and leads 9%.
  • Guru-driven U.S. leads increased 60% sequentially after the July 2026 launch.

What critics are saying

  • Dealer spending slowed in 2026 as FTC all-in pricing rules pressured margins and budgets.
  • Autotrader, Cars.com, CARFAX, and Google retain massive intent traffic and bidding power.
  • If ChatGPT or Google answer car-shopping queries directly, CarGurus loses top-of-funnel control.

What makes CarGurus unique

  • CarGurus owns 47.3 million monthly visits, beating Cars.com and Autotrader in August 2026.
  • Its pricing algorithms and 500 million daily signals turn listings into dealer intelligence.
  • Guru and Dealership Mode fuse consumer guidance with dealer workflow data across three markets.

Help us improve and share your feedback! Did you find this helpful?

Benefits

  • Company Equity
  • Hybrid Work Options
  • Flexible Work Hours
  • Paid Vacation
  • Meal Benefits
  • Commuter Benefits

Growth & Insights and Company News

Headcount

6 month growth

0%

1 year growth

0%

2 year growth

0%
Daily Car Blog
Oct 19th, 2026
New York City Accuses CarGurus of Misleading Consumers With Deal Ratings

New York City accuses CarGurus of misleading consumers with Deal Ratings. By DCB Editorial, October 19, 2026 CarGurus is facing a regulatory enforcement lawsuit in New York over allegations that its online vehicle listings misled consumers by labelling cars as "Good Deals" or "Great Deals" despite additional mandatory fees. The New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) alleges the company deceived customers through misleading price ratings, hidden charges and an artificial intelligence-powered chatbot. Officials said the investigation identified more than 2,000 alleged violations of New York City's Consumer Protection Law. According to the DCWP, some listings advertised vehicles below market value before additional fees, down payments and trade-in requirements were considered. One example involved a 2018 Honda listed as $2,212 below market value and rated a "Great Deal". However, mandatory fees meant its actual price was $1,473 above market value, the department said. The lawsuit, filed in New York State Supreme Court, seeks to prevent CarGurus from engaging in allegedly deceptive practices and impose civil penalties. The DCWP also reported that an analysis of more than 40,000 online listings found mandatory fees increased advertised vehicle prices by an average of approximately $1,100. CarGurus CEO Jason Trevisan rejected the allegations, saying the claims did not reflect the facts and overlooked the company's long-standing commitment to price transparency. He said the company would defend itself vigorously. CarGurus has introduced measures requiring dealers to disclose mandatory fees on used-car listings to retain their Deal Ratings. Listings without disclosed fee information receive a "No Rating" and are ranked lower in search results. The platform has also introduced badges and filters to help shoppers identify listings with clearer pricing. The legal action comes shortly after CarGurus expanded its dealer technology offering with VINMax, an AI-powered marketing tool that uses marketplace data to identify vehicles that could benefit from additional promotion. CarGurus said VINMax-boosted vehicles sold nine days faster than comparable listings, while generating 34% more daily leads. The case highlights growing regulatory scrutiny of online vehicle pricing and the transparency of digital car-shopping platforms.

CBT News
Oct 19th, 2026
CarGurus faces NYC lawsuit over used-car deal ratings and hidden fees.

CarGurus faces NYC lawsuit over used-car deal ratings and hidden fees. New York City alleges CarGurus misled shoppers with deal ratings and undisclosed fees as the marketplace expands its AI-powered dealer marketing tools. On the Dash: * New York City alleges CarGurus violated consumer protection law more than 2,000 times by labeling listings "Good Deal" or "Great Deal" despite mandatory fees and other pricing conditions. * CarGurus says it rejects the allegations and will defend itself, pointing to dealer fee-disclosure requirements, pricing badges and expanded enforcement tools. * The lawsuit highlights growing scrutiny of online vehicle pricing transparency, making accurate fee disclosures and advertised prices increasingly important for dealers using third-party marketplaces. The New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) sued CarGurus in New York State Supreme Court, alleging the company misled consumers by advertising vehicles as "Good Deals" or "Great Deals" while hiding mandatory fees, down payment requirements and trade-in conditions. DCWP announced the case Oct. 15 and said CarGurus violated the New York City Consumer Protection Law more than 2,000 times during the agency's investigation. The complaint seeks to stop the alleged practices and impose civil penalties permanently. To illustrate the problem, DCWP cites a June online listing for a 2018 Honda CR-V that Elite Mitsubishi offered. CarGurus labeled the vehicle a "Great Deal" and listed it $2,212 below market value. According to the agency, however, mandatory fees disclosed lower on the listing put the actual price $1,473 above market value. According to a CarEdge report the complaint cites, mandatory fees raised listed prices by about $1,100 on average across more than 40,000 online quotes. CarGurus disputes the allegations. DCWP also criticized CarGurus' AI chatbot, alleging it reinforced misleading deal assessments by generating lists of supposed "deals" without the dealers' disclaimers. However, CarGurus disputes the claims, with CEO Jason Trevisan saying the company is deeply disappointed and surprised by the lawsuit. He cited its record of price transparency and its collaboration with regulators, and noted CarGurus' Deal Ratings compare listing prices with similar vehicles in the region across a full spectrum of ratings, including overpriced. Additionally, Trevisan pointed to price-change histories, days-on-market data, verified dealer reviews, and vehicle history reports as tools for consumer transparency. He added that CarGurus rejects the allegations and will vigorously defend itself. According to the complaint, CarGurus began adding "Price includes fees" and "No additional dealer fees" badges and filters to listings around April 30, and it labels listings without fee information "Fees not disclosed." Then, in response to Federal Trade Commission (FTC) advertising and pricing demands, CarGurus announced a dealer policy change on June 24 that took effect July 14. Used vehicle listings without disclosed fees now receive a "No Rating" price analysis and rank lower in search results. CarGurus reported July 29 that more than 90% of used inventory from subscribing dealers included disclosed fees. Nevertheless, DCWP argues those steps fall short. The agency alleges CarGurus failed to enforce its own guidelines, which confused consumers, and that listings kept "Great Deal" labels and fee badges even after July 14 despite hidden fees. Lawsuit comes amid broader scrutiny. According to the agency, DCWP has investigated more than 106 used-car dealerships over the past five years and secured $1.79 million in consumer restitution. DCWP Commissioner Samuel Levine said the lawsuit aims to stop alleged bait-and-switch pricing and hidden fees. The case adds to regulatory pressure on online vehicle marketplaces and dealerships to ensure advertised prices accurately reflect mandatory charges. The announcement came about two weeks after CarGurus introduced VINMax. This automated marketing tool uses real-time marketplace supply-and-demand data to identify vehicles that could benefit from more exposure. CarGurus says VINMax-boosted listings sold nine days faster than comparable listings that weren't boosted, improving time to sale by 23% and generating 34% more daily leads. The company says the tools help dealers manage aging inventory, generate leads and protect profit margins.

Yahoo Finance
Sep 9th, 2026
CarGurus COO sells $365K in shares, retains $17M stake as analysts target 28% upside

Samuel Zales, COO and President of CarGurus, sold 10,000 shares of the company for $365,000 on 28 August 2026, according to an SEC Form 4 filing. The sale was executed at $36.50 per share under a Rule 10b5-1 trading plan, which allows corporate insiders to schedule share sales at predetermined times. Following the transaction, Zales retains 465,349 shares in the digital automotive marketplace company, representing a market value of $17 million. CarGurus has a market capitalisation of $2.9 billion and trailing twelve-month revenue of $967.2 million. Of the 15 analysts covering the stock, the median one-year price target is $42, representing a potential 28.1% gain from the current trading price of $32.77.

GlobeNewswire
Sep 3rd, 2026
CarGurus appoints Matthew Mandel as Chief Financial Officer.

CarGurus appoints Matthew Mandel as Chief Financial Officer. September 03, 2026 08:50 ET | Source: CarGurus, Inc. Finance and operations leader brings deep marketplace and software experience, scaling consumer and B2B brands BOSTON, Sept. 03, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) - CarGurus (Nasdaq: CARG), the No. 1 most visited automotive shopping site in the U.S.[1], today announced it has appointed Matthew Mandel as Chief Financial Officer (CFO), effective Oct. 19, 2026. Reporting to CarGurus Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Jason Trevisan, Mandel will lead financial strategy and operations; corporate development; and leadership operations as the company focuses on accelerating product innovation to deepen its role as a trusted partner for dealers and expert guide for shoppers. He succeeds Trevisan, who has served as interim principal financial and principal accounting officer since March 2025. "Matt has a unique combination of strategic, operational, financial, and people leadership strengths that are well matched to our priorities as we grow our leading marketplace into a multi-product platform," said Trevisan, CarGurus CEO. "His impact at both large-scale and hypergrowth organizations translates directly to our focus on expanding dealer software and data intelligence offerings and developing a trusted, AI-led consumer shopping experience. Matt's role sits at the center of that strategy and our disciplined approach to capital, earnings power, and stockholder value." Mandel brings deep experience scaling teams with a focus on driving enterprise value through customer-centric products and technology. He joins CarGurus from Fleetio, a leading fleet maintenance and optimization software platform, where he was CFO and Chief Operating Officer (COO) since November 2023. Before Fleetio, he was COO and then Co-CEO at Cometeer, a beverage technology company, where his responsibilities included overseeing finance, strategy, and operations. Before Cometeer, Mandel held senior roles at Wayfair, including as head of the company's North American Transportation and Home Delivery business, and prior to that was an investment professional at Advent International and Bain Capital. "CarGurus' market leadership and strong business model, exciting product roadmap, and talented team drew me to this role," said Mandel. "It's especially compelling to support the company's evolution as it invests in platform growth across the dealer workflow and consumer journey." Mandel has an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School and a Bachelor of Arts from Duke University. About CarGurus, Inc. CarGurus (Nasdaq: CARG) is the leading multinational automotive platform helping consumers and dealers confidently buy and sell vehicles. Founded in 2006 with a mission to bring more trust and transparency to car shopping, CarGurus is the No. 1 visited automotive shopping site in the U.S.[1] with the largest selection of inventory and network of dealers.[2] CarGurus' unmatched selection, trusted automotive insights, and data-driven products and solutions support each shopper's journey - from online research and shopping to in-dealership decisions - to empower them at every step. And, by translating data from billions of monthly site interactions, CarGurus provides dealers a personalized, predictive intelligence platform with software solutions that helps them run their businesses more efficiently and profitably at all stages of inventory acquisition and pricing, marketing, and conversion to sale. CarGurus operates online marketplaces in the U.S., U.K., and Canada. The company's network of brands includes PistonHeads, the largest online motoring community in the U.K.[3], and Autolist, a U.S.- based online marketplace. [1] Similarweb: Traffic and Engagement Report (Cars.com, Autotrader.com, TrueCar.com, CARFAX.com Listings (defined as CARFAX.com Total Visits minus Vehicle History Reports)), Q2 2026, U.S. [2] Compared to Autotrader.com, Cars.com, TrueCar.com, and CARFAX (Joreca as of June 30, 2026) [3] Similarweb: Traffic Insights, Q2 2026, U.K. CarGurus(R) and Autolist(R) are each a registered trademark of CarGurus, Inc., and PistonHeads(R) is a registered trademark of CarGurus Ireland Limited in the U.K. and the European Union. All other product names, trademarks, and registered trademarks are property of their respective owners. Media Contact: Maggie Meluzio Director, Public Relations & External Communications [email protected] Investor Contact: Kirndeep Singh Vice President, Head of Investor Relations [email protected]

PR Newswire
Sep 1st, 2026
Chicco and CarGurus introduce The Family Fit Factor to keep families safe on the road.

Chicco and CarGurus introduce The Family Fit Factor to keep families safe on the road. Sep 01, 2026, 10:05 ET Baby Safety Month collaboration offers families free resources and expert guidance on child passenger safety, from vehicle choice to car seat fit. LANCASTER, Pa., Sept. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - As families grow, new milestones bring important decisions, from choosing a child's first car seat to purchasing a new family vehicle. Yet many parents may not realize how closely those decisions are connected when it comes to keeping children safe on the road. According to Chicco, a leader in child passenger safety, and CarGurus, the No. 1 most visited automotive shopping site in the U.S.[1], the right vehicle should support proper car seat installation, provide enough space for a growing family and adapt as a child's safety needs change over time. This September, during Baby Safety Month, Chicco and CarGurus are introducing The Family Fit Factor, an educational initiative designed to help parents navigate how vehicle choice and effective car seat use work together to support child passenger safety at every stage. Parents can access free step-by-step car seat installation video guides, expert advice from a Chicco Child Passenger Safety Technician and CarGurus' Automotive Experts, as well as a special child passenger safety episode of CarGurus' The Driveway podcast (airing September 2). Research from both brands highlights the choices and challenges growing families face. CarGurus consumer insights find that families with children are nearly twice as likely to cite a lifestyle change - like having kids - as a reason for buying their most recent car compared to households without children. Chicco findings add another layer to that picture, with 52% of parents managing multiple car seats in one vehicle[2]. "Parents want to feel confident they're doing everything they can to keep their children safe in the backseat," said William Hasse, Vice President of Marketing for Chicco USA. "With nearly half of car seats installed incorrectly[3], the details matter. Our partnership with CarGurus helps parents go a step further to better understand how using a car seat correctly and vehicle choice work hand-in-hand." As part of The Family Fit Factor, Chicco Child Passenger Safety Technician, Josh Dilts and CarGurus Automotive Expert, David Undercoffler, encourage families to consider the following tips as they start the car-buying journey: * Consider How a Vehicle and Car Seat Work Together: When choosing both a vehicle and car seat, make sure to identify the features that matter to you and match your needs, like installation methods or whether a vehicle can fit multiple car seats across. That way, they can work in tandem to ultimately provide the safest ride. * Choose a Future-Forward Vehicle: Consider how seating, space and layout will accommodate your needs today, as well as additional passengers, multiple car seats and future stages. * Check Car Seat Fit Regularly: As children grow, verify that both the child and their car seats continue to fit appropriately within your vehicle. * Don't Rush Safety Transitions: Children should progress through each stage of car seat use based on their size and readiness to help maximize protection on the road. "Choosing a car comes with big decisions, and our research shows that families with children are going into the shopping process with a unique set of considerations," said CarGurus' Undercoffler. "They're prioritizing safety, space, and how a vehicle will fit their family's needs as they grow. Through The Family Fit Factor, we're bringing CarGurus' decades of automotive expertise together with Chicco's child passenger safety knowledge to help families feel more confident choosing a vehicle that works for them today and down the road." For more resources and to follow along for safety content throughout Baby Safety Month, follow Chicco USA and CarGurus on Instagram or visit The Family Fit Factor guides on ChiccoUSA.com and on CarGurus.com. Find the latest car seat innovations, including the new Chicco Fit3x ClearTex Ultra-Slim All-in-One Car Seat at ChiccoUSA.com. For help finding the best car for your family, ask Guru, CarGurus' conversational guide that instantly recommends local listings personalized to your needs. *Methodology * CarGurus and NIQ Consumer Behavior and Insights survey of 3,030 U.S. new and used vehicle buyers and sellers, including 2,002 households with children, in May and June 2025. * Conducted in June 2025 on behalf of Chicco, Pollfish obtained a sample of 1,000 U.S. parents with children ages 0-10 living at home. * National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), "Consumer Alert: NHTSA Reminds Parents, Caregivers to Find the Right Seat for Their Child," September 22, 2025. About Chicco(R) Products and Artsana USA Artsana Group, maker of Chicco products, is a leading European company with global headquarters in Como, Italy and worldwide expertise in everything for baby. The Chicco brand was founded over 60 years ago and is now in 120 countries. Chicco has become a household name for parents across the United States thanks to products like our top-rated KeyFit(R) Infant Car Seat, which has been recognized as the very best for safety, performance and style. Visit www.ChiccoUSA.com for more. About CarGurus, Inc. CarGurus (Nasdaq: CARG) is the leading multinational automotive platform helping consumers and dealers confidently buy and sell vehicles. Founded in 2006 with a mission to bring more trust and transparency to car shopping, CarGurus is the No. 1 visited automotive shopping site in the U.S.[1] with the largest selection of inventory and network of dealers.[2] CarGurus' unmatched selection, trusted automotive insights, and data-driven products and solutions support each shopper's journey - from online research and shopping to in-dealership decisions - to empower them at every step. And, by translating data from billions of monthly site interactions, CarGurus provides dealers a personalized, predictive intelligence platform with software solutions that helps them run their businesses more efficiently and profitably at all stages of inventory acquisition and pricing, marketing, and conversion to sale. CarGurus operates online marketplaces in the U.S., U.K., and Canada. The company's network of brands includes PistonHeads, the largest online motoring community in the U.K.[3], and Autolist, a U.S.- based online marketplace. [1] Similarweb: Traffic and Engagement Report (Cars.com, Autotrader.com, TrueCar.com, CARFAX.com Listings (defined as CARFAX.com Total Visits minus Vehicle History Reports)), Q2 2026, U.S. [2] Largest car shopping platform defined as most inventory and largest dealer network. Compared to Autotrader.com, Cars.com, TrueCar.com, and CARFAX (Joreca as of December 31, 2025). [3] Similarweb: Traffic Insights, Q2 2026, U.K. CarGurus(R) and Autolist(R) are each a registered trademark of CarGurus, Inc., and PistonHeads(R) is a registered trademark of CarGurus Ireland Limited in the U.K. and the European Union. All other product names, trademarks, and registered trademarks are property of their respective owners. SOURCE Chicco