Software Engineer (WFH)

About the Company

Upstart is an AI-powered lending marketplace focused on reducing the cost and complexity of borrowing for Americans. The company partners with banks and credit unions to expand access to affordable credit through advanced AI and data-driven lending technology. Its platform uses more than 3,000 signals to generate over one million predictions per borrower, supporting lending decisions for millions of customers.

Upstart operates as a digital-first company, with employees across more than 80 cities in the United States and Canada. Employees can work remotely or collaborate from offices in Columbus, Austin, the Bay Area, and New York City.

About the Role

Upstart is seeking a Principal Software Engineer to provide technical leadership for its Bank Technology team. This team develops internal platforms, security automation, and operational systems that help Upstart Bank operate securely, efficiently, and at scale.

In this role, you will guide the architecture and development of critical internal platforms and automation systems. Working closely with stakeholders across Risk, Legal, Compliance, Security, Operations, and Engineering, you will turn complex business and regulatory requirements into reliable software solutions. You will also establish engineering standards, mentor other engineers, and help shape the bank's technology strategy as its operational needs and regulatory responsibilities grow.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the architecture, design, and implementation of internal platforms, security automation systems, and workflow tools that support Upstart Bank's operations.
• Establish scalable engineering patterns, technical standards, and system designs that support long-term platform growth and maintainability.
• Collaborate with stakeholders across Risk, Compliance, Legal, Operations, and Engineering to translate complex business requirements into durable software solutions.
• Design and oversee relational data models, authorization systems, integrations, and platform services that support secure and reliable operations.
• Identify and mitigate technical risks while making informed decisions about system architecture, platform investments, and build-versus-buy trade-offs.
• Mentor engineers through technical leadership, architecture reviews, design documentation, and engineering best practices.
• Set technical direction for internal platform and automation initiatives as the bank expands its operational and regulatory capabilities.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience, along with at least 8 years of software engineering experience.
• Experience designing, building, and operating large-scale production software systems and web applications.
• Experience leading architectural decisions and technical design for distributed systems, platform services, or internal software platforms.
• Experience designing relational database schemas, APIs, integrations, authentication systems, and role-based access control frameworks.
• Experience collaborating with cross-functional stakeholders to deliver software supporting operational, compliance, security, or other business-critical workflows.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of TypeScript, Node.js, Next.js, Prisma, or similar modern application frameworks.
• Experience developing security automation, governance, risk and compliance (GRC) platforms, or operational workflow systems.
• Familiarity with regulated industries, including financial services, banking, healthcare, or other compliance-driven environments.
• Knowledge of compliance frameworks such as SOC 2, NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF), or similar standards.
• Ability to influence technical strategy, build alignment across teams, and navigate ambiguous problem spaces using sound engineering judgment.

Salary & Benefits

The anticipated U.S. remote base salary range is $190,600 to $263,900 per year. Actual compensation depends on geographic location, job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Upstart uses location-based compensation regions, and recruiters can provide specific salary details during the hiring process.

Additional compensation and benefits include:

• Competitive base pay, bonus opportunities, and annual equity grants that vest quarterly.
• A 401(k) or Group Retirement Savings Plan, with a company match of $2 for every $1 contributed, up to $15,000 annually in the applicable currency.
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan with discounted stock purchase options for eligible U.S. employees.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and wellness benefits in the United States, with supplemental health coverage in Canada.
• Health Savings Account contributions for eligible U.S. plans.
• Life insurance and disability coverage.
• Paid time off, sick leave, and company holidays in accordance with local requirements.
• Paid family and parental leave, with duration varying by country.
• Family-focused benefits supporting fertility, parenthood, and caregiving.
• Employee Assistance Program offering mental health support and personal resources.
• Financial wellness resources, including financial planning tools and a financial concierge service for U.S. employees.
• Annual wellness allowance supporting physical and emotional well-being and personal development.
• Annual productivity allowance for work-related tools and resources.
• Team events, company-wide updates, and employee resource groups.
• Catered lunches and stocked micro-kitchens for employees working from the Bay Area, Austin, Columbus, and New York City offices.

For positions based in Canada, Upstart is currently unable to hire candidates located in Quebec.

Equal Opportunity & Accommodations

Upstart is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to inclusive and fair hiring practices. Candidates who require reasonable accommodation during the application process, interviews, pre-employment testing, or other stages of the employee selection process may contact Upstart through its designated accommodation channel.