Set technical direction for the applicant funnel
Define and drive the architecture of the end-to-end "Got Rate → Funded Loan" journey
Identify and resolve systemic bottlenecks impacting conversion, latency, and reliability
Lead large, cross-team initiatives
Own ambiguous, high-impact efforts that span Growth, Verifications Platform, Risk/Decisioning, and Lending Partners
Align multiple teams around cohesive technical strategies and execution plans
Evolve platform architecture
Drive decomposition of tightly coupled systems into scalable, reusable services and APIs
Enable cross-product reuse across unsecured lending while maintaining system integrity
Translate complex business problems into systems
Balance product velocity, risk constraints, compliance requirements, and long-term maintainability
Partner deeply with product, risk, compliance, and operations to deliver measurable business outcomes
Drive experimentation and intelligent automation
Elevate experimentation frameworks and data-driven iteration across the funnel
Identify and lead opportunities for AI-driven experiences (e.g., adaptive flows, conversational interfaces, automation)
Raise the engineering bar
Establish best practices in system design, observability, testing, and operational excellence
Mentor senior and staff engineers and influence engineering culture across the organization
Operate as a force multiplier
Provide technical leadership beyond the team, influencing architecture and strategy across Personal Loans and adjacent domains
Proactively identify long-term risks and opportunities, and drive alignment with leadership

Requirements

10+ years of professional software engineering experience, with a strong track record of building and scaling consumer-facing systems
Proven experience operating at a Staff or Principal level, leading large, ambiguous, cross-functional initiatives
Deep expertise in distributed systems, service-oriented architectures, and system design at scale
Demonstrated experience decomposing or modernizing tightly coupled systems into modular components/services with clear interfaces, while maintaining reliability and continuity.
Experience with experiment-driven development (instrumentation, A/B testing, analysis/iteration) and translating product goals into technical execution.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, able to explain complex technical topics to non-technical stakeholders
Track record of successfully mentoring and developing other engineers around you while seeking out and appreciating constructive feedback
Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, or a related field (or equivalent experience)

Benefits

Competitive compensation, including base pay, bonus opportunities, and annual equity grants that vest quarterly
Generous 401(k) plan with Upstart matching $2 for every $1 contributed, up to $15,000 per year
Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) with discounted stock purchase options for eligible employees
Affordable medical, dental, and vision coverage, with multiple plan options - Upstart covers 90% to 100% of the cost depending on the plans you choose
Health Savings Account contributions from Upstart for eligible plans
Income protection benefits, including company-paid Basic Life, AD&D, and Short- and Long-Term Disability coverage, with options to purchase supplemental coverage
Paid time off, sick and safe time, and company holidays
Paid family and parental leave to support caregiving and major life moments
Family-centered benefits through Carrot and Cleo, supporting fertility, parenthood, and caregiving
Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offering mental health support and life-centered resources
Financial wellness resources, including access to financial planning tools and a financial concierge service
Annual wellness allowance to support your physical and emotional well-being and personal development, based on what matters most to you
Annual productivity allowance to invest in relevant tools and resources you need to do your best work, no matter where you work from
Connection and community through team events and onsites, all-company updates, and employee resource groups (ERGs)
Onsite perks, including catered lunches and fully stocked micro-kitchens when working from one of our four offices, located in the Bay Area, Austin, Columbus, and New York City (opening Summer 2026!).

Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard Skills & Tools

software engineeringdistributed systemsservice-oriented architecturessystem designmodular componentsexperiment-driven developmentA/B testingdata-driven iterationAPIsautomation

Soft Skills

technical leadershipcommunicationmentoringcollaborationproblem-solvingstrategic thinkinginfluencingadaptabilityfeedback appreciationcross-functional leadership

Certifications

Bachelor’s degree in Computer ScienceBachelor’s degree in EngineeringBachelor’s degree in Mathematics