Principal Software Engineer

Upstart

Confirmed live yesterday High trust
Remote

Quick summary

Work type
Remote
Location
Canada
Salary
$190,600–$263,900 / yr
Posted
88 days ago
Freshness
Confirmed live yesterday
Closes
Dec 8, 2026

Market check

Salary context

Above market

How this pay compares to similar roles

Similar $200k
This role $227k
$127k most similar roles pay here $286k

This role pays more than 79% of similar roles. Most pay $174,600–$225,000 — the shaded band above. At the midpoint, this role pays about $227k versus about $200k 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 73 open roles on FindRole.

Listed pay typically runs $166,900–$230,450 across 72 roles with salary data.

Most-posted roles

View all roles at Upstart

At a glance

TL;DR · Principal Software Engineer

As a Principal Software Engineer on the Bank Technology team, you will provide technical leadership for internal platforms, security automation, and operational systems that enable the bank to operate securely and at scale. You will drive architectural direction, establish engineering patterns, and design relational data models, authorization systems, and integration services while mentoring engineers through technical reviews. The role involves translating complex requirements from risk, legal, and compliance stakeholders into durable software solutions for a licensed financial institution. To succeed, you should possess experience with distributed systems, web applications, and large-scale production environments. Preferred skills include proficiency in TypeScript, Node.js, Next.js, and Prisma. You will navigate the complexities of regulated industries by building tools for governance, risk, and compliance while managing technical risks and making critical build-versus-buy decisions to support the bank's growth.

What does a Software Engineer earn in Remote?

Median $204500 from 415 postings across 57 companies.

See salary data

What you'll do

  • Lead the architecture, design, and implementation of internal platforms and security automation systems.
  • Establish scalable engineering patterns and technical standards to ensure long-term platform maintainability.
  • Translate complex requirements from risk, legal, and compliance stakeholders into durable software solutions.
  • Design relational data models, authorization systems, and integrations for secure bank operations.
  • Identify and mitigate technical risks regarding system architecture and build-versus-buy trade-offs.
  • Mentor engineers through architectural reviews, design documentation, and engineering best practices.
  • Drive the technical strategy for internal platforms to support expanding regulatory capabilities.

What we're looking for

  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, or a related field (or equivalent practical experience).
  • 8+ years of software engineering experience.
  • Experience designing, building, and operating large-scale production software systems and web applications.
  • Experience leading architecture and technical design for distributed systems, platform services, or internal software platforms.
  • Experience designing relational database schemas, APIs, integrations, authentication systems, and role-based access control frameworks.
  • Experience partnering with cross-functional stakeholders to deliver solutions for operational, compliance, security, or business-critical workflows.
  • Knowledge of TypeScript, Node.js, Next.js, Prisma, or similar modern application frameworks.
  • Familiarity with regulated industries (financial services, banking, healthcare) and compliance frameworks like SOC 2 or NIST CSF.

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