Upstart

Software Engineer, Upstart Bank

Upstart$14K — $186K *
US-AnywhereRemote in United States
Finance & Insurance
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, or related field (or equivalent experience)
  • 4+ years of backend or full-stack software engineering experience
  • Experience in production software systems
  • Proficient in modern programming languages like Java, Kotlin, Python, Go
  • Strong software design, testing, debugging, and operational ownership fundamentals
  • Effective in ambiguous, cross-functional environments

Responsibilities

  • Design and build scalable backend systems and services
  • Deliver high-quality software for medium-sized projects
  • Translate business and regulatory requirements into software solutions
  • Improve system reliability and performance of backend services
  • Contribute to technical design discussions for engineering quality
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure software quality
  • Maintain high engineering standards through implementation and testing

Benefits

  • Competitive compensation package including base pay and bonus opportunities
  • 401(k) plan with generous company match
  • Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) with discounted stock options
  • Comprehensive health coverage for employees and families
  • Paid time off and family leave for major life moments
  • Annual wellness and productivity allowances
  • Support for fertility, parenthood, and caregiving needs
Full Job Description
The Team:

Upstart Bank is an evolution of Upstart's AI lending platform, focused on simplifying the regulatory infrastructure behind our marketplace while expanding access to credit nationwide. By moving from a fragmented, state-based system to a unified federal framework, Upstart Bank enables more consistent borrower experiences, reduces structural costs, and unlocks opportunities to improve pricing, compliance, and access to credit at scale.

As a Software Engineer on the Upstart Bank team, you will design and build reliable backend software that enables Upstart Bank to launch and scale successfully. Engineers work across a variety of Bank initiatives while partnering closely with Product, Compliance, Legal, Risk, Finance, Operations, and Engineering to deliver scalable software in a regulated environment.

This is a rare opportunity to help build one of the first modern AI-enabled national banks. The ideal engineer enjoys solving challenging backend problems, thrives in ambiguous environments, and is excited to help shape both the technology and engineering culture as Upstart Bank grows.

How you'll make an impact
  • Design and build scalable backend systems, services, and APIs supporting Upstart Bank initiatives
  • Deliver well-designed software across medium-sized engineering projects while collaborating with senior engineers
  • Translate business, operational, and regulatory requirements into reliable, maintainable software
  • Improve system reliability, observability, performance, and operational excellence across backend services
  • Contribute to technical design discussions and continuously improve engineering quality
  • Partner closely with Product, Compliance, Legal, Risk, Finance, Operations, and Engineering to deliver high-quality software
  • Uphold a high engineering bar through thoughtful implementation, testing, code review, and operational ownership
  • Thrive in ambiguous environments while continuously growing technical ownership and engineering judgment

Minimum Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, or a related field (or equivalent practical experience)
  • 4+ years of backend or full-stack software engineering experience
  • Experience building and operating production software systems
  • Experience building scalable services, APIs, or web applications
  • Proficiency in at least one modern programming language such as Java, Kotlin, Python, Go, or similar
  • Strong engineering fundamentals around software design, testing, debugging, and operational ownership
  • Ability to operate effectively in ambiguous, cross-functional environments

Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience working in fintech, financial services, payments, or another regulated industry
  • Experience with distributed systems, cloud-native architectures, Kafka, gRPC, or similar backend technologies
  • Experience building reliable backend services, APIs, or platform software
  • Experience modernizing existing systems or building new backend platforms
  • Ability to collaborate effectively across Product, Compliance, Operations, and Engineering teams
  • Curiosity, adaptability, and a desire to continuously learn new technologies and business domains

Position location This role is available in the following locations: Remote [A specific city/location is not required if the role does not have an in-person requirement]

Time zone requirements The team operates on the East/West coast time zones. [Only use this section if there are specific time zone requirements that this role must work in; if the role is remote-US or can work in any timezone in the US, please remove this section.]

[OPTIONAL] In-Office requirements. You will be required to work from the {insert location} office x days per week/month.

Travel requirements As a digital first company, the majority of your work can be accomplished remotely. The majority of our employees can live and work anywhere in the U.S but are encouraged to to still spend high quality time in-person collaborating via regular onsites. The in-person sessions' cadence varies depending on the team and role; most teams meet once or twice per quarter for 2-4 consecutive days at a time.

#LI-REMOTE

#LI-Associate --> use for L3, L4

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

$14,200-$186,800 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.

About Upstart

Upstart is a lending platform that uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to automate the borrowing process. The company was founded in 2012 by ex-Googlers and has since originated over $10 billion in loans. Upstart's platform uses non-traditional variables such as education and employment history to determine creditworthiness, which allows for more accurate risk assessment and better loan terms for borrowers. The company went public in December 2020 and is listed on the NASDAQ under the ticker symbol UPST.
Learn more about Upstart
Size
100 employees
Market Cap
$1 billion
Industry
Net Income
$11 million
Founded
2012
Revenue
$205.3 million
NASDAQ

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