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Data Platform Engineer

About Upstart

Upstart is a leading AI lending marketplace partnering with banks and credit unions to expand access to affordable credit. By leveraging Upstart's AI marketplace, Upstart-powered banks and credit unions can have higher approval rates and lower loss rates across races, ages, and genders, while simultaneously delivering the exceptional digital-first lending experience their customers demand. More than two-thirds of Upstart loans are approved instantly and are fully automated.

Upstart is a digital-first company, which means that most Upstarters live and work anywhere in the United States. However, we also have offices in San Mateo, California; Columbus, Ohio; and Austin, Texas.

Most Upstarters join us because they connect with our mission of enabling access to effortless credit based on true risk. If you are energized by the impact you can make at Upstart, we’d love to hear from you!

The Data Platform Engineering team (Part of Upstart's core platform vertical) provides developer tools, frameworks, and scalable data infrastructure as shared services across Upstart. The team's primary objective is to provide Data Analysts, Software Engineers, and ML scientists access to high-quality data and developer tools to create business metrics for respective product verticals. 

You will join the subdivision focusing on Data Curation. 

As the Data Platform Engineer joining this team, you will get the opportunity to contribute to following areas:

  1. Build and maintain user-friendly, scalable tools that enable data teams and other stakeholders to perform data transformations without needing deep technical expertise.
  2. Expand the self-serve ETL and orchestration framework that developers use to build pipelines
  3. Manage, organize, and maintain the data catalog to ensure efficient data discovery, governance, access control, and metadata management across the organization.

We would love to hear from you if you are passionate about building data products!

How you’ll make an impact:

  • Build and Improve the tools owned by the Data Curation team
  • Participate in planning and prioritization by collaborating with stakeholders across the various product verticals and functions (ML, Analytics, Finance, Software engineering) to ensure our tools/frameworks help deliver overall business objectives.
  • Collaborate with stakeholders such as Software Engineering, Machine Learning, Machine Learning Platform and Analytics teams to onboard them to the Lakehouse and adopt the developer tools 
  • Participate in code reviews and architecture discussions to exchange actionable feedback with peers. 
  • Help break down complex projects and requirements into stories for sprints.
  • Continuously monitor and improve data platform performance, reliability, and security.
  • Stay up-to-date with emerging technologies and industry best practices in data engineering.
  • Develop and maintain technical documentation for the data platform, including design, architecture, and operational procedures. Promote best practices for data engineering within the organization.

What we’re looking for: 

  • Minimum requirements:
    • A bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Engineering, or a related field.
    • 3+ years of experience in data platform development, data engineering or related fields
    • Proficiency in data engineering tech stack; Databricks / PostgreSQL / Python / Spark / Kafka / SQL / AWS / Airflow/ DBT / containers and orchestration (Docker, Kubernetes) and others.
    • Ability to approach problems with first principles thinking, embrace ambiguity, and enjoy collaborative work on complex solutions. 
  • Preferred qualifications:
    • Strong foundation in algorithms and data structures and their real-world use cases.
    • Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills, with the ability to analyze complex technical challenges and deliver effective solutions.
    • Experience and understanding of distributed systems, data architecture design, and big data technologies (e.g., Spark, Kafka, Lakehouse, Databricks).
    • Experience with AWS technologies ( e.g.,  AWS Lambda, Redshift, RDS, S3, etc.).
    • Good knowledge of DevOps engineering using Continuous Integration/Delivery tools like Kubernetes, Jenkins, Terraform, etc., thinking about automation, alerting, monitoring, security, and other declarative infrastructure.
    • Ability to explain complex concepts in easy-to-understand ways and navigate environments where problems are not well-defined (and evolve quickly).

Position Location - This role is available in the following locations: Remote, San Mateo, Columbus 

Travel Requirements - This team has periodic on-site collaboration sessions twice or thrice a year. Upstart will cover all travel-related expenses if you need to travel to make these meetups.

What you'll love: 

  • Competitive Compensation (base + bonus & equity)
  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage with Health Savings Account contributions from Upstart 
  • 401(k) with 100% company match up to $4,500 and immediate vesting and after-tax savings
  • Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)
  • Life and disability insurance
  • Generous holiday, vacation, sick and safety leave  
  • Supportive parental, family care, and military leave programs
  • Annual wellness, technology & ergonomic reimbursement programs
  • Social activities including team events and onsites, all-company updates, employee resource groups (ERGs), and other interest groups such as book clubs, fitness, investing, and volunteering
  • Catered lunches + snacks & drinks when working in offices

 

#LI-REMOTE

#LI-Associate 

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
$142,000$196,600 USD

Upstart is a proud Equal Opportunity Employer. We are dedicated to ensuring that underrepresented classes receive better access to affordable credit, and are just as committed to embracing diversity and inclusion in our hiring practices. We celebrate all cultures, backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences, and know that we can only become better together. 

If you require reasonable accommodation in completing an application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please email candidate_accommodations@upstart.com

https://www.upstart.com/candidate_privacy_policy

Average salary estimate

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$142000K
$196600K

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What You Should Know About Data Platform Engineer, Upstart

Are you a Data Platform Engineer looking for your next adventure? Join us at Upstart, a leading AI lending marketplace that’s making waves in the world of affordable credit while transforming lives. With a digital-first approach, Upstart allows our team members to work remotely from anywhere in the United States, and we also have offices in San Mateo, Columbus, and Austin. As a Data Platform Engineer in our Data Platform Engineering team, you’ll be pivotal in providing developers, analysts, and machine learning scientists with the tools and infrastructure they need to thrive. You’ll build user-friendly, scalable tools that facilitate data transformations and contribute to the development of our self-serve ETL frameworks. Your knack for organizing and maintaining data catalogs will ensure efficient data discovery and governance across Upstart. You’ll collaborate closely with various stakeholders to plan and prioritize your projects, ensuring that our frameworks deliver on business objectives. If you have a passion for data products and a desire to be part of something impactful, we can’t wait to hear from you!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Data Platform Engineer Role at Upstart
What are the responsibilities of a Data Platform Engineer at Upstart?

As a Data Platform Engineer at Upstart, you will have a variety of responsibilities including building and maintaining user-friendly tools for data transformations, expanding self-serve ETL frameworks, and managing data catalogs. You'll also collaborate with different product verticals to ensure your tools help achieve overall business objectives and participate in architecture discussions and code reviews.

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What qualifications are required for the Data Platform Engineer position at Upstart?

To qualify for the Data Platform Engineer position at Upstart, you need a bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Engineering, or a related field, along with 3+ years of experience in data platform development. Proficiency in technologies like Databricks, PostgreSQL, Python, Spark, SQL, and AWS is crucial. A strong understanding of algorithms, data structures, and distributed systems is also preferred.

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How does the Data Platform Engineer role contribute to Upstart's mission?

The Data Platform Engineer role at Upstart is integral to our mission of making credit accessible to more people. By creating and maintaining the tools and infrastructure that data teams rely on, you’ll help improve the efficiency and effectiveness of our data analysis, ultimately leading to higher approval rates and lower loss rates across diverse demographics.

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What is the work environment like for a Data Platform Engineer at Upstart?

Working as a Data Platform Engineer at Upstart means embracing a digital-first culture with the flexibility of remote work from anywhere in the US. You'll be part of a collaborative team that values innovation and is committed to supporting employee growth and success through continuous learning and engagement in team activities.

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What opportunities for advancement exist for Data Platform Engineers at Upstart?

Upstart offers numerous opportunities for career advancement for Data Platform Engineers. You can take on more complex projects, engage in professional development to enhance your technical skills, and participate in cross-functional collaborations that could lead to leadership roles within the organization.

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Common Interview Questions for Data Platform Engineer
What experience do you have with data engineering technologies relevant to the Data Platform Engineer role?

In answering this question, highlight specific projects where you utilized data engineering technologies such as Databricks, Python, or SQL. Discuss the tools you used, the challenges faced, and the solutions you implemented to demonstrate your proficiency.

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Can you describe a time when you improved a data pipeline or data transformation process?

Share a concrete example where you identified inefficiencies in a data pipeline and took decisive action to enhance its performance. Describe the methodologies you applied, the technologies involved, and the positive outcomes of your improvements.

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How do you stay updated with emerging trends and technologies in data engineering?

Discuss your methods for staying current, such as following industry blogs, attending webinars, or participating in professional networks. Highlight how this continuous learning mindset has benefited your previous roles.

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What is your approach to collaborating with cross-functional teams?

Illustrate your collaborative approach by providing an example where you worked successfully with teams such as machine learning, analytics, and engineering. Emphasize communication, alignment on goals, and shared success.

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How would you prioritize tasks when faced with tight deadlines?

Explain your strategy for prioritizing tasks, such as assessing impact and urgency, communicating with stakeholders, and using project management tools. Share an example from a past experience to illustrate how you managed conflicting priorities effectively.

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Can you explain a complex data concept in simple terms?

Demonstrating the ability to simplify complex data concepts is crucial. Choose a relevant concept, break it down step-by-step, and use analogies or examples to make it relatable, showing your communication skills and understanding.

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What is your experience with data governance and security?

Discuss your understanding and experience with data governance frameworks and security protocols. Provide specific examples where your expertise helped ensure data integrity and compliance in past projects.

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Describe how you approach troubleshooting during a data engineering project.

Share your systematic approach to troubleshooting, outlining the steps you take to diagnose issues, gather relevant data, and collaborate with team members. Use a prior example to demonstrate your problem-solving skills.

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What tools do you prefer for building and maintaining data pipelines, and why?

Talk about your preferred tools, such as Apache Airflow or DBT, detailing why you favor them based on ease of use, functionality, and your past success with those tools. You can incorporate brief examples to enhance your response.

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How would you handle a situation where team members have conflicting opinions on technical solutions?

Emphasize your conflict resolution skills by discussing your approach to facilitating discussions, gathering data to guide decisions, and striving for consensus. Providing an example of successfully navigating such a situation can further strengthen your answer.

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Most Upstarters join us because they connect with our mission of enabling access to effortless credit based on true risk. If you are energized by the impact you can make at Upstart, we would love to hear from you!

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Full-time, remote
DATE POSTED
March 1, 2025

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