This role pays more than
95%
of similar roles. Most pay
$162,000–$214,500
— the shaded band above.
At the midpoint, this role pays about
$284k
versus about
$188k
for comparable roles.
Based on 240 similar postings.
Employer
About Upstart
Upstart is an AI lending platform that partners with banks and credit unions to expand access to affordable credit using non-traditional variables.
Upstart currently has
42 open roles
on FindRole.
Listed pay typically runs
$177,200–$245,400
across 42 roles with salary data.
As a Principal Applied Scientist at Upstart, you will join the Growth and Marketplace Optimization teams to define the long-term technical direction for key offer optimization and conversion modeling systems. Your role involves structuring ambiguous problem spaces, designing solutions that consider interactions across multiple stages of the customer journey, and providing technical oversight to ensure work converges towards a coherent vision. You will build and guide conversion models that optimize decisions across stages rather than in isolation, ensuring downstream impacts are accounted for. Additionally, you will design interfaces between decision systems and optimization components, drive cross-functional alignment, and lead large initiatives requiring deep modeling judgment and strong systems thinking. The ideal candidate has an advanced degree in a quantitative field, 8+ years of experience deploying machine learning models at scale, expertise in optimization and causal inference, and experience leading technical initiatives across multiple teams. Preferred qualifications include fintech or lending domain experience and serving as a principal-level lead.