Principal Software Engineer, Unsecured Installments

Upstart

Remote

Quick summary

Work type: Remote
Location: San Mateo, CAColumbus, OHAustin, TX
Salary: $195,300–$270,400 / yr
Posted: 164 days ago
Closes: Sep 16, 2026
Nearby: 99+ roles within 25 mi

Market check

Salary context

Above market

How this pay compares to similar roles

Similar $196k

This role $233k

$127k most similar roles pay here $286k

This role pays more than 81% of similar roles. Most pay $169,425–$222,000 — the shaded band above. At the midpoint, this role pays about $233k versus about $196k for comparable roles.

Based on 239 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 61 open roles on FindRole.

Listed pay typically runs $172,100–$238,300 across 61 roles with salary data.

Most-posted roles

View all roles at Upstart

At a glance

TL;DR · Principal Software Engineer, Unsecured Installments

Role Posting Log in to save

As a Principal Software Engineer on Upstart's Cash Line team, you will design and build core backend systems for a new revolving credit product, focusing on underwriting, pricing, and servicing with high reliability. You’ll collaborate closely with machine learning engineers to integrate AI-driven decision-making into real-time user flows and work across the full lifecycle of consumer credit experiences. The role requires expertise in distributed systems, event-driven architectures, and proficiency in languages like Python or Java. Ideal candidates have fintech experience, particularly in revolving credit and ML-driven pricing systems, and are comfortable working in a greenfield environment with high ownership responsibilities. This position involves regular cross-functional collaboration and leveraging generative AI to enhance both user experiences and internal workflows.

Skills

Python Java Kotlin Docker CI/CD AWS PostgreSQL Kubernetes Terraform GraphQL Redis Event Driven Architecture Generative AI API Design Observability Machine Learning

What you'll do

Design and build core backend systems for a new revolving credit product.
Own distributed services supporting underwriting, pricing, and servicing with reliability.
Translate complex requirements into scalable technical systems balancing speed and risk.
Partner with machine learning teams to integrate AI-driven decisioning in real-time flows.
Work across the full lifecycle of credit from acquisition through funding and servicing.
Shape architectural decisions in a greenfield environment while integrating mature systems.

What we're looking for

Strong experience designing distributed systems and event-driven architectures.
Proficiency in object-oriented languages and building service-oriented APIs.
Experience shipping consumer-facing features with a focus on reliability and latency.
Ability to work effectively in ambiguous environments with evolving requirements.
Strong cross-functional collaboration skills, especially with product and finance teams.
Active use of AI tools and understanding of how AI reshapes software development.
Exceptional communication and alignment skills across multiple functions.

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