Principal Software Engineer, Cash Line

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in United States.

📋 Description

• Develop and construct the essential backend systems that support a new revolving credit product utilized directly by consumers.

• Take ownership of distributed services that enhance underwriting, pricing, line management, transactions, and servicing with exceptional reliability and observability.

• Convert intricate product and economic requirements into scalable technical systems, effectively balancing speed, risk, and long-term maintainability.

• Collaborate closely with machine learning engineers and data teams to implement models and integrate AI-driven decision-making into real-time user flows.

• Work alongside mobile engineers to provide seamless consumer-facing features, ensuring that backend systems are optimized for actual usage patterns.

• Engage throughout the complete lifecycle of credit, from consumer acquisition and onboarding to funding, servicing, and capital markets distribution.

• Influence foundational architectural choices in a greenfield environment while thoughtfully integrating with systems from Upstart’s established lending platform.

• Contribute to a Gen AI-first product strategy, assisting in defining how generative AI enhances user experience, internal tools, automation, and operational workflows.

• Elevate engineering quality through robust API design, data modeling, observability, testing, and operational rigor.

⛳️ Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, or a related field (or equivalent) plus 8 years of experience.

• Extensive experience in designing distributed systems and event-driven architectures, including practical handling of retries, idempotency, fault tolerance, and failure modes.

• Proficient in an object-oriented programming language such as Python, Java, Kotlin, C#, or Ruby, with experience in building and maintaining APIs and service-oriented architectures.

• Demonstrated experience in delivering consumer-facing features from start to finish, with a solid understanding of latency, reliability, and user impact.

• Capacity to thrive in ambiguous, zero-to-one environments where requirements rapidly evolve.

• Strong collaborative skills, comfortable working closely with product, finance, compliance, and other business stakeholders.

• Active engagement with AI tools in engineering, possessing a forward-thinking outlook on how AI is transforming software development.

• Outstanding communication and collaboration abilities; capable of aligning teams and advocating for impactful solutions across functions.

🏝️ Benefits

• Competitive compensation, including base salary, bonus opportunities, and annual equity grants that vest quarterly.

• Retirement benefits to assist in future planning, featuring 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) offering 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 the US, along with supplemental health coverage for Canada.

• Contributions to Health Savings Accounts from Upstart for eligible plans (US only).

• Income protection benefits, including life insurance and disability coverage for enhanced financial security.

• Paid time off, sick leave, and company holidays, compliant with local regulations.

• Paid family and parental leave for caregiving and significant life events (duration varies by country).

• Family-oriented benefits to assist with fertility, parenthood, and caregiving needs.

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) providing 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 growth, based on your priorities.

• Annual productivity allowance to invest in necessary tools and resources to perform at your best, regardless of your work location.

• Opportunities for connection and community through team events, company-wide updates, and employee resource groups (ERGs).

• Onsite perks, including catered lunches and fully stocked micro-kitchens for those working from our offices in the Bay Area, Austin, Columbus, and New York City (opening Summer 2026!).