Senior Software Engineer – New Product

Role Overview

• Design and build the frontend systems that power a brand-new consumer credit experience.
• Develop scalable, distributed services using event-driven architectures to ensure reliability, observability, and long-term maintainability.
• Collaborate closely with design and product to translate intent into features that serve millions of consumers.
• Drive technical decisions in a zero-to-one product environment, balancing speed with high-quality execution.
• Apply AI-native workflows to accelerate development, testing, analysis, and documentation.
• Help define engineering best practices and culture within a fast-moving and outcome-driven team.

Requirements

• 4+ years of experience building frontend and backend systems in production, ideally for consumer-facing applications.
• Strong technical background in distributed systems and event-driven architecture (Kafka, SQS, Kinesis, or similar).
• Proficiency in object-oriented programming languages (e.g., Java, Kotlin, C#, Python, Ruby) and familiarity with relational databases, APIs, and caching.
• Demonstrated ability to work autonomously and thrive in ambiguous, early-stage product environments.
• Deep product sense with a strong focus on end-user experience and outcomes.
• Familiarity with observability and reliability concepts (metrics, logs, traces, SLOs).
• Actively uses AI tools in engineering workflows, with strong opinions about the future of AI in software development.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Tech Stack

• Distributed Systems
• Java
• Kafka
• Kotlin
• Python
• Ruby

Benefits

• Competitive compensation, including base pay, bonus opportunities, and annual equity grants that vest quarterly
• Generous 401(k) plan with Upstart matching $2 for every $1 contributed, up to $15,000 per year
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) with discounted stock purchase options for eligible employees
• Affordable medical, dental, and vision coverage, with multiple plan options
• Upstart covers 90% to 100% of the cost depending on the plans you choose
• Health Savings Account contributions from Upstart for eligible plans
• Income protection benefits, including company-paid Basic Life, AD&D, and Short
• and Long-Term Disability coverage, with options to purchase supplemental coverage
• Paid time off, sick and safe time, and company holidays
• Paid family and parental leave to support caregiving and major life moments
• Family-centered benefits through Carrot and Cleo, supporting fertility, parenthood, and caregiving
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offering mental health support and life-centered resources
• Financial wellness resources, including access to financial planning tools and a financial concierge service
• Annual wellness allowance to support your physical and emotional well-being and personal development, based on what matters most to you
• Annual productivity allowance to invest in relevant tools and resources you need to do your best work, no matter where you work from
• Connection and community through team events and onsites, all-company updates, and employee resource groups (ERGs)
• Onsite perks, including catered lunches and fully stocked micro-kitchens when working from one of our four offices, located in the Bay Area, Austin, Columbus, and New York City (opening Summer 2026!).