Upstart

Sr Software Engineer - Lending Platform

Upstart$166K — $230K *
US-AnywhereRemote in United States
Finance & Insurance
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in a technical field or equivalent experience
  • 4+ years in software engineering for production systems
  • Experience with distributed, event-driven applications in cloud environments like AWS
  • Skilled in developing scalable backend services with large data volumes
  • Proficient in best practices for testing and deploying reliable systems

Responsibilities

  • Design and operate distributed systems for accounting automation
  • Develop scalable solutions for processing financial events
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams on technical solutions
  • Enhance reliability and scalability of financial systems
  • Lead engineering initiatives from architecture to production
  • Utilize AI tools to improve software development productivity

Benefits

  • Competitive compensation package with base pay and bonuses
  • Generous 401(k) matching contributions
  • Employee Stock Purchase Plan for eligible employees
  • Comprehensive health coverage including medical, dental, and vision
  • Income protection benefits like life insurance and disability
  • Paid time off and family leave for caregiving
  • Annual wellness and productivity allowances
Full Job Description
The Team

Upstart's Lending Platform team builds the systems that power critical financial operations across the company. The team develops highly scalable, event-driven platforms that automate accounting close processes, capital risk workflows, and other finance capabilities that support the accuracy and integrity of Upstart's financial operations.

As a Senior Software Engineer, you'll design and deliver the core systems that process large volumes of financial data and events. Your work will directly influence the reliability of Upstart's balance sheet, accelerate finance automation, and create a strong technical foundation for future investments across Treasury and other financial platforms.
How you'll make an impact
  • Design, build, and operate distributed, event-driven systems that power accounting close automation and capital risk workflows.
  • Deliver scalable data processing solutions that transform high-volume financial events into accurate, reliable business outcomes.
  • Partner closely with Product, Data Analytics, Finance, and Engineering teams to define technical solutions for complex financial processes.
  • Improve the reliability, scalability, and maintainability of critical financial systems while thoughtfully managing technical debt.
  • Lead multi-quarter engineering initiatives from architecture through production, balancing long-term platform investments with business priorities.
  • Leverage AI-assisted development tools to improve engineering productivity while maintaining high standards for quality, security, and correctness.
Minimum Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, or a related technical field (or equivalent practical experience).
  • 4+ years of professional software engineering experience building and operating production systems. (L5 standard).
  • Experience designing and building distributed, event-driven applications in cloud environments such as AWS.
  • Experience developing scalable backend services that process large volumes of data using modern programming languages.
  • Experience designing, testing, and deploying reliable production systems using software engineering best practices.
Preferred Qualifications
  • Knowledge of financial systems, accounting processes, or capital risk management.
  • Experience building high-throughput data processing or event streaming platforms.
  • Ability to design systems that balance scalability, maintainability, and long-term operational efficiency.
  • Experience collaborating across engineering, product, analytics, and business stakeholders to deliver complex technical initiatives.
  • Curiosity for applying generative AI tools to accelerate software development and improve engineering effectiveness.
Position location

Remote
Travel requirements

As a digital-first company, the majority of your work can be accomplished remotely. Most employees live and work throughout the U.S. or Canada (outside Quebec) and come together for regular team onsites several times per year.

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

$166,900-$230,900 USD

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).

Canada | Remote - Anticipated Base Salary Range

$153,000-$190,000 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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