Principal Software Engineer, Personal Loans
The Principal Software Engineer, Personal Loans at Upstart will lead the technical direction and architecture of the applicant funnel, focusing on the journey from rate acquisition to loan funding. This role is integral to Upstart's mission of expanding access to affordable credit through innovative AI-driven solutions. The Personal Loans Engineering team is pivotal in enhancing the applicant experience and optimizing the loan application and verification processes.
Key responsibilities include defining and driving the architecture of the end-to-end loan application journey, identifying and resolving systemic bottlenecks affecting conversion rates, latency, and reliability. The engineer will lead large, cross-team initiatives, aligning multiple teams around cohesive technical strategies and execution plans. Additionally, the role involves evolving platform architecture by decomposing tightly coupled systems into scalable, reusable services and APIs, and translating complex business problems into balanced, maintainable systems.
Candidates must possess a bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, or a related field, along with over 10 years of professional software engineering experience. Proven experience at a Staff or Principal level, leading large, ambiguous, cross-functional initiatives is essential. Deep expertise in distributed systems, service-oriented architectures, and system design at scale is required. The role also demands excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex technical topics to non-technical stakeholders, and a track record of successfully mentoring and developing other engineers.
Upstart offers a competitive compensation package, including a base salary ranging from $195,300 to $270,400, depending on geographic location and individual qualifications. Additional benefits include target bonuses, equity compensation, and comprehensive benefits packages covering medical, dental, vision, and 401(k) plans. The company also provides generous paid time off, family and parental leave, and wellness allowances to support employees' overall well-being.
Upstart fosters a digital-first work environment, offering flexibility for employees to work from locations where they thrive, while emphasizing intentional in-person connections through team onsites and planning sessions. The company values creativity, experimentation, and advanced AI to reshape access to credit, providing employees with opportunities to tackle meaningful problems and innovate with purpose.