Principal Security Engineer, Data Security

Upstart

6h•Remote

About The Position

At Upstart, we’re united by a mission that matters: to radically reduce the cost and complexity of borrowing for all Americans. Every day, we bring creativity, experimentation, and advanced AI to reshape access to credit, helping millions move forward financially with clarity and confidence. As the leading AI lending marketplace, we partner with banks and credit unions to expand access to affordable credit through technology that’s both radically intelligent and deeply human. Our platform runs over one million predictions per borrower using more than 1,800 signals, powering smarter, fairer decisions for millions of customers. But the numbers only hint at the impact. Every idea, every voice, and every contribution moves us closer to a world where credit never stands between people and their financial progress. We’re proudly digital-first, giving most Upstarters the flexibility to do their best work from wherever they thrive, alongside teammates across 80+ cities in the US and Canada. Digital-first doesn’t mean distant. We’re intentional about in-person connection through team onsites, planning sessions, and moments that spark creativity and trust. And whether you choose to work primarily from home or collaborate in-person from one of our offices in Columbus, Austin, the Bay Area, or New York City (opening Summer 2026), you’ll have the support to work in the way that works best for you. If you’re energized by tackling meaningful problems, excited to innovate with purpose, and motivated by work that truly matters, we’d love to hear from you. Upstart’s Security team is dedicated to advancing security practices that enhance the safety of our products, customers, and partners. We believe security should empower innovation, move at the speed of the business, and be built in from the ground up. Our mission is to protect Upstart’s products and enterprise while enabling teams to move quickly and safely through strong collaboration, automation, and thoughtful security design. As a Principal Security Engineer focused on Data Security, you will play a critical role in defining, building, and leading Upstart’s data security program. This is a highly impactful role that combines deep hands-on technical execution with program leadership. You will design and implement scalable data security capabilities, influence cross-functional partners across the company, and help establish long-term strategy and accountability for how data is protected at Upstart. This role is ideal for a senior security practitioner who enjoys operating at the intersection of coding, architecture, and cross-functional leadership, and who has experience taking complex security programs from concept to reality.

Requirements

Extensive experience across enterprise and operational security domains, with deep focus on Data Security and Identity & Access Management
Experience owning or leading a Data Security, DLP (Data Loss Prevention), or DSPM (Data Security Posture Management) initiatives
Proven experience leading security programs that span multiple teams and functions
Strong software engineering background, with the ability to design and build production-quality systems (e.g., APIs, services, or internal web applications)
Experience launching new security capabilities or programs from 0 to 1 in complex environments
Deep understanding of least-privilege principles and practical experience applying them at scale
Excellent communication skills, with the ability to influence senior technical and non-technical stakeholders
Ability to navigate ambiguity, make sound tradeoffs, and independently drive meaningful change

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with modern data protection tooling such as endpoint DLP, data classification, or posture management platforms
Experience working with diverse data domains (e.g., analytics, reporting, business operations, or people data)
Contributions to the security community through talks, publications, open-source projects, or other industry involvement
Familiarity with compliance frameworks such as SOC 1, SOC 2, and SOX
Interest in long-term growth as a senior individual contributor, with openness to future people leadership paths

Responsibilities

Lead the design and execution of Upstart’s data security program, from early foundations through mature, scalable systems
Architect and build software solutions (APIs, services, and internal tools) that enable effective data protection and governance
Partner closely with Engineering, Analytics, Product, Legal, Risk, HR, and other stakeholders to secure sensitive data across diverse domains
Establish clear goals, success metrics, and accountability for data security initiatives
Drive adoption of least-privilege access models and modern data protection patterns across the organization
Mentor engineers and security practitioners, fostering strong technical standards and a culture of ownership
Continuously improve systems by learning from real-world signals such as false positives, operational feedback, and evolving threats

Benefits

Competitive compensation, including base pay, bonus opportunities, and annual equity grants that vest quarterly
Generous 401(k) plan with Upstart matching $2 for every $1 contributed, up to $15,000 per year
Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) with discounted stock purchase options for eligible employees
Affordable medical, dental, and vision coverage, with multiple plan options - Upstart covers 90% to 100% of the cost depending on the plans you choose
Health Savings Account contributions from Upstart for eligible plans
Income protection benefits, including company-paid Basic Life, AD&D, and Short- and Long-Term Disability coverage, with options to purchase supplemental coverage
Paid time off, sick and safe time, and company holidays
Paid family and parental leave to support caregiving and major life moments
Family-centered benefits through Carrot and Cleo, supporting fertility, parenthood, and caregiving
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
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 and onsites, all-company updates, and employee resource groups (ERGs)
Onsite perks, including catered lunches and fully stocked micro-kitchens when working from one of our four offices, located in the Bay Area, Austin, Columbus, and New York City (opening Summer 2026!).