Software Engineer, Upstart Bank

Upstart•Burlingame, CA

9d•$14,200 - $186,800•Remote

About The Position

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.

Requirements

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

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

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

Benefits

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!)