Senior Software Engineer, Small Dollar Loans
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
Every year, millions of Americans turn to high-cost payday loans to cover short-term cash needs, often paying excessive fees and interest. Upstart’s Small Dollar Loan product offers a fair-priced, non-predatory alternative for those deemed "too risky" by traditional lenders. Operating like a startup within a larger company, our team moves quickly to refine our ML models, automate the customer experience, and scale the business. Since launching in April 2022, we've expanded access to credit for tens of thousands of customers while proving strong unit economics—and we’re just getting started.
As a Senior Software Engineer at Upstart, you’ll take the lead on Small Dollar Lending’s core engineering initiatives. You understand how good software design and architecture advances and accelerates business outcomes. You don’t wait for someone to set a path for you, you collaborate with stakeholders across the broader business to identify and drive the team’s success. With deep care and empathy for our customers, you’ll bring your thoughts and opinions on what we build, not just how we build it. Working alongside a team of bright and motivated engineers, you encourage everyone to be their best through coaching and mentorship.
How you’ll make an impact:
- Leverage our existing tech stack (Kotlin, Spring Boot, React, Next.js, AWS, Kafka) to add features and value
- Lead successful cross-team and/or multi-quarter, multi-engineer projects
- Drive a vision for how best to design and build software in a complex, service oriented environment
- Propose and deliver new ideas that achieve meaningful improvements to our team’s business metrics
- Maintain and champion a quality mindset, finding ways for the entire team to consistently improve reliability
What we’re looking for:
- Minimum requirements:
- 5+ years professional experience in fullstack software development in a cloud-hosted environment
- 3+ years proficiency in Kotlin, Java, or C#, or similar modern backend languages
- Some hands-on experience with a JavaScript framework like React
- Some hands-on experience with SQL databases and domain modeling
- Preferred qualifications:
- Excellent verbal and written communication, skilled in translating complex topics and ideas to a wide variety of audiences
- Experience designing, developing, and deploying microservices-based applications
- Ability to thrive both in self-directed work environments and in collaborative settings, contributing positively to team dynamics
Position Location - This role is available in the following locations: Remote, San Mateo, Columbus, Austin
Time Zone Requirements - This team operates across all U.S. time zones.
Travel Requirements - This team has regular on-site collaboration sessions. These occur 3 days per quarter at an Upstart office. If you need to travel to make these meetups, Upstart will cover all travel related expenses.
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-MidSenior
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).
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
Average salary estimate
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Are you ready to make a profound impact in the world of lending? Upstart is looking for a talented Senior Software Engineer for our Small Dollar Loans product. At Upstart, we are reshaping how affordable credit is accessed, and your engineering skills can help us drive that change. Our mission is clear: offer fair, non-predatory alternatives to traditional payday loans through AI-powered solutions that empower customers. In this role, you’ll be at the forefront of our engineering initiatives, working remotely or in one of our vibrant offices in San Mateo, Columbus, or Austin. You'll collaborate closely with stakeholders, driving projects that refine our machine learning models and enhance user experiences. Your passion for designing and architecting top-notch software will help us achieve our business goals and prioritize customer satisfaction. If you thrive in a fast-paced environment and enjoy mentoring your peers, you'll fit right in with our team of motivated engineers. Let’s transform lending together at Upstart!
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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