Embedded engineer Jobs in Costa Mesa, CA

Origence Job Opportunity

With 30 years at the forefront of fintech innovation, Origence delivers SaaS lending solutions that power credit unions across the United States. Our mission is to enable accessible, competitive lending while strengthening the financial ecosystem for credit unions, their members, and dealer partners.

We operate with a customer-first mindset and a culture of ownership, accountability, and operational excellence. We invest in our people and empower them to innovate, improve, and drive measurable business impact.

About You

You are a self-driven, accountable professional who thrives in a fast-moving environment. You operate with an ownership mindset, are comfortable with ambiguity, and focus on solving business problems through automation, data, and process improvement. You are highly collaborative, detail-oriented, and motivated by measurable impact.

Own the identification, pursuit, and management of auto channel source partnerships for Origence's embedded finance business. This role is the primary relationship owner for channel source prospects and partners online auto retailers, OEM direct-to-consumer platforms, auto shopping marketplaces, and related channels seeking to integrate credit union financing at the point of shopping or purchase. Operate as a full-stack contributor on a small startup team: you will create your own presentations, conduct market research, build pipeline reporting, model channel opportunities, host webcasts, manage partner success, and travel extensively to close and grow channel partnerships. This role also supports credit union lender engagement and overall team operations as needed.

What You'll Be Doing

Market Analysis & Channel Business Case Development

• Conduct market research and analysis on the evolving auto shopping, purchasing, and financing landscape to identify and prioritize emerging channel opportunities
• Develop business cases for prospective channel partnerships including market sizing, volume projections, revenue modeling, competitive positioning, and technology integration requirements
• Analyze channel source prospects to assess strategic fit, consumer reach, lending volume potential, competitive landscape, and regulatory considerations
• Collaborate with FI Connect and CUDL business teams to model channel opportunities including volume projections, revenue models, lender capacity needs, and operational requirements
• Monitor competitive activity in embedded auto lending including fintech entrants, bank programs, and captive finance alternatives
• Develop market intelligence briefings and channel analysis reports for the Embedded Finance team, Product Management, and executive leadership

Channel Launch & Success Management

• Serve as the primary relationship manager for active channel source partners, ensuring partner satisfaction, performance monitoring, and issue resolution
• Coordinate channel launch execution across all departments, including implementations and integrations.
• Manage ongoing channel performance reporting including volume metrics, conversion rates, and partner health indicators
• Analyze channel performance data to identify optimization opportunities, inform partner discussions, and support go/no-go decisions on channel expansion
• Create and manage feedback loops between channel partners and Origence Product Management to drive improvements in technology integration, lending experiences, and API capabilities
• Host partner-facing webcasts and presentations on program updates, performance reviews, and expansion opportunities

Lender Engagement Support & Team Operations

• Support credit union lender sales efforts as needed participate in lender presentations, provide channel-specific content and market data, and join executive engagements
• Provide lender analysis support to identify the right credit unions for specific channels based on lending appetite, geographic footprint, rate competitiveness, and strategic fit
• Create presentations, business models, one-pagers, and sales materials for both channel source and lender audiences
• Build and maintain pipeline reporting, client success dashboards, and operational reporting for the division
• Contribute to the development of team processes, tools, and operating rhythms as part of a startup-style team where everyone does everything
• Travel for channel partner meetings, prospect engagements, industry events, and quarterly corporate office visits

Startup Team Expectations

• Operate as a full-stack team member: create your own presentations, conduct research, build reports, model opportunities, and manage relationships end-to-end
• Be proficient in consumer auto lending fundamentals, lending technology, auto retailing trends, software integrations, and partnership structures
• Host prospect and client webcasts to educate channel partners and the market on embedded lending opportunities
• Maintain deep knowledge of Origence technology (CUDL, FI Connect, LOS) and how these platforms integrate with new channel partners
• Collaborate daily with cross-functional teams this role cannot succeed in a silo

The Ideal Candidate

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Marketing, or related field required; MBA or advanced degree preferred.

Experience:

• 815 years in indirect auto lending, auto retail technology, channel/partnership development, or financial services business development.
• 35 years managing strategic partnerships or key channel relationships.
• Experience building new business in ambiguous, early-stage environments.
• Strong knowledge of indirect auto lending, auto retailing (online and traditional), and the embedded finance landscape
• Thorough understanding of auto dealer and auto retailer finance processes including F&I workflows, dealer reserve structures, indirect lending mechanics, online auto retailing processes (digital retailing, e-commerce checkout, online financing integration), and OEM captive finance models
• Working knowledge of credit union financials, lending metrics, and lending performance indicators ability to discuss portfolio yield, approval rates, funding ratios, and concentration with credit union lending executives
• Proven business negotiation skills ability to negotiate partnership terms, channel agreements, and commercial structures with auto OEMs, online retailers, and platform partners
• Excellent sales and relationship management skills with ability to engage C-level executives at auto OEMs, online platforms, and retail channels
• Strong understanding of lending technology, API integrations, and how financing is embedded into consumer purchase experiences
• Ability to create compelling presentations, business models, and market analysis independently
• Strong analytical and business case development skills ability to size markets, model channel economics, assess competitive dynamics, and build data-driven recommendations
• Self-starter who thrives in ambiguity and can build processes and tools from scratch
• Proficiency with Salesforce, Excel/Google Sheets, reporting/analytics platforms, and presentation tools
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills
• Familiarity with AI tools such as Claude, CoPilot, or ChatGPT for research and productivity

Tools & Technology

• Proficiency with Salesforce CRM, Microsoft Office / Google Workspace, presentation tools, and reporting/analytics platforms. Familiarity with AI tools such as Claude, CoPilot, or ChatGPT. Working knowledge of Origence platforms (CUDL, FI Connect, LOS) preferred.

Preferred Qualifications

• 10+ years in indirect auto lending or auto retail technology
• Experience with auto OEM, online auto retailer, or marketplace partnerships
• Existing relationships in the auto retail or auto finance ecosystem
• Credit union industry experience or knowledge
• CCUE, CCE, or equivalent industry certifications
• 15+ years in indirect auto lending, credit union industry, or embedded finance / fintech
• Existing relationships with credit union executives, leagues, and industry organizations
• Experience with auto OEM or online auto retail partnerships
• CCUE, CCE, or equivalent credit union industry certifications
• Experience operating in early-stage or high-growth environments within larger organizations

Why you should apply:

• Flexible Working Environment
• Paid Time Off
• 401k (8% match)
• College Tuition Benefits/ Tuition Reimbursement
• Good Benefits options
• Company Culture! Cultural and Holiday celebrations, Theme days like Star Wars Day & Bring your Kids to Work Day, Monthly Townhalls and Quarterly Company Meetings that ensure awareness, inclusion, and transparency.

The starting salary range for this full-time position in Irvine, CA is $140000 - $175000 per year. This base pay will take into consideration internal equity