Principal Software Engineer

Upstart; United States; Remote; USD 191,000 - 264,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

401k matching

ESPP

Job summary

Upstart is seeking a Principal Software Engineer to provide technical leadership across a growing portfolio of internal platforms and automation systems. You will drive architectural direction, solve complex challenges, and establish patterns for secure, scalable, and maintainable solutions.

You will mentor engineers, collaborate with risk, compliance, and operations, and influence long-term platform growth while aligning with business needs and regulatory requirements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent practical experience; 8+ years of software engineering.
• Experience designing, building, and operating large-scale production software systems.
• Experience leading architecture for distributed systems and internal platforms.

Responsibilities

• Lead architecture, design, and implementation of internal platforms and automation systems.
• Establish scalable engineering patterns and technical standards.
• Collaborate with risk, compliance, legal, operations, and engineering to translate requirements into durable software.
• Design relational data models, auth systems, integrations, and platform services for secure operations.
• Identify and mitigate technical risks and make build-versus-buy decisions.
• Mentor engineers through architectural reviews and best practices.

Skills

Distributed systems

DB schema design

API design

Stakeholder collaboration

Mentoring

Security

Education

Bachelor’s degree in CS/Engineering/Math

Tools

TypeScript

Node.js

Next.js

Prisma

Job description

About Upstart

At Upstart, we’re united by a mission that matters: to radically reduce the cost and complexity of borrowing for all Americans. Every day, we bring creativity, experimentation, and advanced AI to reshape access to credit, helping millions move forward financially with clarity and confidence.

As the leading AI lending marketplace, we partner with banks and credit unions to expand access to affordable credit through technology that’s both radically intelligent and deeply human. Our platform runs over one million predictions per borrower using more than 1,800 signals, powering smarter, fairer decisions for millions of customers. But the numbers only hint at the impact. Every idea, every voice, and every contribution moves us closer to a world where credit never stands between people and their financial progress.

We’re proudly digital-first, giving most Upstarters the flexibility to do their best work from wherever they thrive, alongside teammates across 80+ cities in the US and Canada. Digital-first doesn’t mean distant. We’re intentional about in-person connection through team onsites, planning sessions, and moments that spark creativity and trust. And whether you choose to work primarily from home or collaborate in-person from one of our offices in Columbus, Austin, the Bay Area, or New York City (opening Summer 2026), you’ll have the support to work in the way that works best for you.

If you’re energized by tackling meaningful problems, excited to innovate with purpose, and motivated by work that truly matters, we’d love to hear from you.

The Team

Upstart’s Bank Technology team builds the internal platforms, security automation, and operational systems that enable Upstart Bank to operate securely, efficiently, and at scale. The team partners closely with stakeholders across risk, legal, compliance, security, and operations to create software solutions that support the bank’s growth as a licensed financial institution.

As a Principal Software Engineer, you will provide technical leadership across a growing portfolio of internal platforms and automation systems. You will drive architectural direction, solve complex technical challenges, and establish engineering patterns that enable the team to deliver secure, scalable, and maintainable solutions for the bank’s most critical operational functions.

How you’ll make an impact

• Lead the architecture, design, and implementation of internal platforms, security automation systems, and workflow tooling that support Upstart Bank operations.
• Establish scalable engineering patterns, technical standards, and system designs that enable long-term platform growth and maintainability.
• Partner 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, making thoughtful decisions around system architecture, platform investments, and build-versus-buy tradeoffs.
• Mentor engineers through technical leadership, architectural reviews, design documentation, and engineering best practices.
• Drive technical strategy for internal platforms and automation initiatives as the bank expands its operational and regulatory capabilities.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, or a related field (or equivalent practical experience) and 8+ years of software engineering experience.
• Experience designing, building, and operating large-scale production software systems and web applications.
• Experience leading architecture 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 partnering with cross-functional stakeholders to deliver software solutions supporting operational, compliance, security, or business-critical workflows.

Preferred Qualifications

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

Position Location - This role is available in the following locations: Remote

Time Zone Requirements - This team operates on the East/West Coast time zones.

Travel Requirements - This team has regular on-site collaboration sessions. These occur X days per Month/Quarter at the Y office. If you need to travel to make these meetups, Upstart will cover all travel related expenses.

At Upstart, your base pay is one part of your total compensation package. The anticipated base salary for this position is expected to be within the below range. Your actual base pay will depend on your geographic location–with our “digital first” philosophy, Upstart uses compensation regions that vary depending on location. Individual pay is also determined by job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your preferred location during the hiring process.

In addition, Upstart provides employees with target bonuses, equity compensation, and generous benefits packages (including medical, dental, vision, and 401k).

United States | Remote - Anticipated Base Salary Range

$190,600—$263,900 USD

What you’ll love

At Upstart, our benefits are designed to support your health, financial well-being, family, and personal growth. Here’s what you can expect:

• Competitive compensation, including base pay, bonus opportunities, and annual equity grants that vest quarterly
• Retirement benefits to help you plan for the future, including a 401(k) or Group Retirement Savings Plan with a company match of $2 for every $1 contributed, up to $15,000 annually (USD in the US, CAD in Canada)
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) with discounted stock purchase options for eligible employees (US only)
• Comprehensive health coverage designed to support you and your family, including medical, dental, vision, and wellness resources for US and supplemental health coverage for Canada.
• Health Savings Account contributions from Upstart for eligible plans (US only)
• Income protection benefits, including life insurance and disability coverage for added financial security
• Paid time off, sick leave, and company holidays, in line with local requirements
• Paid family and parental leave to support caregiving and major life moments (duration varies by country)
• Family-centered benefits to support fertility, parenthood, and caregiving needs
• 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 (US Only)
• 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, all-company updates, and employee resource groups (ERGs)
• Onsite perks, including catered lunches and fully stocked micro-kitchens when working from one of our offices in the Bay Area, Austin, Columbus, and New York City (opening Summer 2026!)

For roles based in Canada, please note that we are not currently able to hire in Quebec.

Upstart is a proud Equal Opportunity Employer. Just as we are dedicated to improving access to affordable credit for all, we are committed to inclusive and fair hiring practices.

If you require reasonable accommodation in completing an application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please email [e-mail]

https://www.upstart.com/candidate_privacy_policy