[Remote] Principal Software Engineer, Cash Line

Note: The job is a remote job and is open to candidates in USA. Upstart is an AI lending marketplace focused on reducing borrowing costs for Americans. They are seeking a Principal Software Engineer to design and build core backend systems for a new revolving credit product, collaborating with various teams to enhance user experience and operational workflows.

Responsibilities

• Design and build the core backend systems that power a new revolving credit product used directly by consumers
• Own distributed services that support underwriting, pricing, line management, transactions, and servicing with high reliability and observability
• Translate complex product and economic requirements into scalable technical systems, balancing speed, risk, and long term maintainability
• Partner closely with machine learning engineers and data teams to productionize models and integrate AI driven decisioning into real time user flows
• Collaborate with mobile engineers to deliver seamless consumer facing features, ensuring backend systems are optimized for real world usage patterns
• Work across the full lifecycle of credit, from consumer acquisition and onboarding through funding, servicing, and capital markets distribution
• Shape foundational architectural decisions in a greenfield environment, while thoughtfully integrating with systems from Upstart’s mature lending platform
• Contribute to a Gen AI first product strategy, helping define how generative AI enhances user experience, internal tooling, automation, and operational workflows
• Raise the bar for engineering quality through strong API design, data modeling, observability, testing, and operational rigor

Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or Mathematics, or a related field (or its equivalent) + 8 years of experience
• Strong experience designing distributed systems and event driven architectures, including real world handling of retries, idempotency, fault tolerance, and failure modes
• Proficiency in an object oriented language such as Python, Java, Kotlin, C#, or Ruby, and experience building and maintaining APIs and service oriented architectures
• Experience shipping consumer facing features end to end, with a strong understanding of latency, reliability, and user impact
• Ability to work effectively in ambiguous, zero to one environments where requirements evolve quickly
• Strong cross functional collaboration skills and comfort working closely with product, finance, compliance, and other business stakeholders
• Active use of AI tools in engineering, with a forward-looking perspective on how AI is reshaping software development
• Exceptional communication and collaboration skills; able to align teams and advocate for high-impact solutions across functions
• Experience in fintech, credit, payments, or other regulated financial systems
• Familiarity with revolving credit, line management, transaction processing, or ledger based systems
• Experience building systems that sit at the intersection of consumer products and capital markets infrastructure
• Background working with ML driven pricing, underwriting, or risk systems
• Hands on experience leveraging generative AI in product features or internal engineering workflows
• Experience on small, high ownership teams where engineers are responsible for architecture, implementation, and operational excellence
• Passion for building products that expand access to credit and improve financial outcomes for underserved consumers

Benefits

• Target bonuses
• Equity compensation
• Generous benefits packages (including medical, dental, vision, and 401k)
• 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!)
• If you need to travel to make these meetups, Upstart will cover all travel related expenses.

Company Overview

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