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Principal Software 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 Team: 

The Identity Platform team is responsible for the creating, securing and managing the borrower and partner identity that is the center piece of all Upstart loan products like Personal Loans, Auto Loans and Home Loans.The Identity platform team is responsible for all Authentication and Authorization Platform and the experiences ( Frontend ) associated with it. We ensure borrowers and partners are able to authenticate securely and seamlessly and their data is protected from unauthorized access.

As a Principal Software Engineer, you are at the helm of driving technical excellence, execution and innovation within the Identity Platform team. You are responsible for setting the technical vision and direction for Identity Platform that works backwards from our product strategy. You will work closely with Product partners from different verticals to help them plan, create and deliver secure product experiences that are frictionless.  You will have the opportunity to design and build large scale systems from the ground up, partner closely with Infosec and CSO, and work in a highly-collaborative and fast-paced environment. We are looking for a seasoned leader with a passion for Identity and Access Management, Customer Experience, experimentation, and distributed systems. If this sounds exciting, we would love to hear from you. 

 

How you’ll make an impact

  • Define the long-term technical direction and roadmap for Identity and Access Management Platform in alignment with Upstart’s business objectives. 
  • Lead the design, development and execution of a system that emphasizes security and ease of access.
  • Work closely with the Informational Security team to improve and develop standards that ensure that our customer data is secure.
  • Guide the architectural evolution of Identity engineering systems with an emphasis on security, scaling innovation across multiple engineering teams. 
  • Uncover and drive alignment across complex technical requirements, designs, trade-offs, influencing product direction 
  • Proactively evaluate, prototype, and roll out new technologies/frameworks to help cultivate a culture of innovation
  • Lead from the front, while mentoring and developing technical leaders

 

Minimum Qualifications 

  • 10+ years of experience developing large scale distributed systems in the cloud
  • 7+ years of experience leading large cross-team initiatives
  • Experience building highly scalable APIs using containerization technologies like Docker and Kubernetes
  • Solid grasp of software development principles and best practices for creating scalable and maintainable systems
  • Proficiency in one or more object oriented programming languages like Kotlin, Ruby,, C#, C++
  • Strong communication skills and ability to explain complex business and technical concepts to all audiences
  • Track record of successfully mentoring and developing technical leaders
  • Experience working in dynamic fast paced organizations
  • Ability to balance the needs of the business with the needs of engineering improvements
  • Passion for clean code and architecture and initiative to “level-up” the engineering team with better practices & design
  • You are able lead and resolve company-wide technical discussions and are able to collaborate and include input from cross-functional teams (security, devops, data, compliance and product)
  • You have a good sense for build-vs-buy and are able to prioritize the highest ROI architectural investments

 

Preferred Qualifications

  • High proficiency with OAuth 2.0 and OpenID Connect Specifications.
  • Experience working in Identity and Security Platform.
  • Experience with building Kotlin or Java Backend services.
  • Experience with A/B testing, GRPC and Devops.
  • Background in Keycloak, Devops, Ruby and NextJS is a big plus. 
  • Experience designing and building microservice-based architectures
  • Experience developing large scale distributed systems in AWS
  • Strong sense of ownership and accountability for the quality and timely delivery of work
  • Ability to thrive both in self-directed work environments and in collaborative settings, contributing positively to team dynamics
  • Demonstrated ability to take feedback well and actively incorporate it into work with a desire to continuously improve
  • Ability to influence and lead without direct authority
  • Strong product and analytical mindset that allows you to think in terms of ROI, risk, and trade offs
  • Experience working at companies that have gone through periods of rapid business or organizational growth

 

Position location This role is available in the following locations: Remote

Time zone requirements The team operates on the East/West coast time zones.

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.

 

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

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
$180,600$250,000 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

$215300 / YEARLY (est.)
min
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$180600K
$250000K

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What You Should Know About Principal Software Engineer, Upstart

Upstart is on the lookout for a dynamic Principal Software Engineer to join our Identity Platform team in a fully remote capacity! Here at Upstart, we're revolutionizing the lending landscape using AI to provide accessible credit. You’ll play a pivotal role in shaping the technical vision and direction for our Identity and Access Management Platform, working closely with product partners across various sectors to deliver secure and frictionless user experiences. Imagine building large-scale systems from scratch while collaborating with experts in security to safeguard our customers' data. In this position, your responsibilities will encompass everything from defining long-term technical strategies to guiding the architectural evolution of our identity systems. We value innovation and continuous improvement, so expect to evaluate and roll out new technologies that keep us ahead of the curve. If you have a minimum of ten years in developing distributed systems and a knack for mentoring technical leaders, this could be your next adventure. Experience in technologies like Docker, Kubernetes, and object-oriented programming is key. Let’s empower individuals to access credit effortlessly together while fostering a collaborative and energetic work environment. If you're passionate about Identity and Access Management and eager to create meaningful change, we’d love to hear from you at Upstart!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Principal Software Engineer Role at Upstart
What are the main responsibilities of a Principal Software Engineer at Upstart?

As a Principal Software Engineer at Upstart, you'll be responsible for defining and implementing the long-term technical direction for our Identity and Access Management Platform. This involves leading the design and development of secure systems, working cross-functionally with product teams, and ensuring that customer data remains protected. You'll also mentor technical leaders and guide the architectural evolution of our identity engineering systems.

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What qualifications are necessary for a Principal Software Engineer role at Upstart?

To qualify for the Principal Software Engineer position at Upstart, candidates should have over 10 years of experience in developing large-scale distributed systems, with at least 7 years in leadership roles managing cross-team initiatives. Proficiency in Docker, Kubernetes, and object-oriented programming languages such as Kotlin or Ruby is essential, along with a strong understanding of software development principles.

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How does Upstart promote a collaborative work environment for Principal Software Engineers?

Upstart emphasizes a collaborative environment for Principal Software Engineers by fostering open communication across cross-functional teams, including security, product management, and DevOps. Regular in-person collaboration sessions are scheduled to strengthen team dynamics while innovative practices are encouraged to enhance engineering solutions and team contribution.

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What does the career growth look like for a Principal Software Engineer at Upstart?

At Upstart, a Principal Software Engineer can expect substantial opportunities for career advancement. By taking on technical mentorship roles and leading cross-team initiatives, you can elevate your leadership skills and influence critical company-wide technical discussions that impact the organization's trajectory, positioning yourself for future senior leadership roles.

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What is Upstart’s approach to handling security in the Principal Software Engineer role?

Security is paramount at Upstart. As a Principal Software Engineer, you will closely collaborate with our Information Security team to develop standards and practices that ensure customer data is secure. You’ll lead the design and execution of systems that prioritize security while providing seamless user access, continuously evolving our security frameworks.

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Common Interview Questions for Principal Software Engineer
Can you describe your experience with large-scale distributed systems as it relates to the Principal Software Engineer role?

When answering this question, focus on specific projects where you've architected or developed large-scale systems. Describe the technologies you used, challenges faced, and how you overcame them to improve scalability and security.

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How do you ensure software development best practices are followed in your team?

Discuss your approach to promoting best practices, such as code reviews, implementing CI/CD pipelines, and regular retrospectives. Highlight how you have led initiatives or training sessions that have successfully embedded these practices within engineering teams.

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What strategies do you employ to mentor technical leaders effectively?

Share your mentorship experiences, focusing on your methods for providing constructive feedback, setting goals, and encouraging independent problem-solving. Illustrate your commitment to fostering a culture of continuous learning and trust within the team.

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How do you approach decision-making around trade-offs in system architecture?

For this question, outline a structured decision-making process you utilize, considering factors like performance, scalability, security, and cost. Use examples from past experiences that demonstrate your analytical skills in evaluating potential impacts on the product and engineering.

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What is your experience with containerization technologies like Docker and Kubernetes?

Elaborate on your hands-on experience with Docker and Kubernetes, discussing specific projects where you've implemented these technologies. Share insights on how they benefited system architecture, deployment, and development cycles.

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Can you explain your understanding of OAuth 2.0 and OpenID Connect specifications?

When answering, show your understanding of the protocols and how they ensure secure authentication and authorization. Discuss how you've applied these specifications in past projects, particularly in enhancing user experiences while maintaining tight security.

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Describe how you foster a culture of innovation within your engineering teams.

Discuss initiatives you've led or contributed to that encourage innovation, such as hackathons, A/B testing, or technology prototyping. Highlight how you create an environment that welcomes new ideas and experimentation.

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What is your approach to balancing business needs with engineering improvements?

Share your thought process in prioritizing technical debt versus feature enhancements. Highlight your ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders to align engineering objectives with business goals.

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How do you handle feedback, both giving and receiving, within team dynamics?

Discuss your philosophy on feedback—emphasizing honesty, respect, and growth. Provide examples of how you've used feedback to improve processes or team morale and how you actively seek feedback for your own development.

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Can you provide an example of a challenging technical problem you faced and how you resolved it?

Narrate a specific instance where you encountered a significant technical challenge. Be detailed about the issue, the steps you took to analyze and test different solutions, and the successful outcome. This demonstrates your problem-solving skills and resilience.

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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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DATE POSTED
December 7, 2024

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