Director Of Engineering, Platform Engineering

About Upstart At Upstart, we’re united by a mission that matters: to radically reduce the cost and complexity of borrowing for all Americans. Every day, we bring creativity, experimentation, and advanced AI to reshape access to credit, helping millions move forward financially with clarity and confidence. As the leading AI lending marketplace, we partner with banks and credit unions to expand access to affordable credit through technology that’s both radically intelligent and deeply human. Our platform runs over one million predictions per borrower using more than 1,800 signals, powering smarter, fairer decisions for millions of customers. But the numbers only hint at the impact. Every idea, every voice, and every contribution moves us closer to a world where credit never stands between people and their financial progress. We’re proudly digital-first, giving most Upstarters the flexibility to do their best work from wherever they thrive, alongside teammates across 80+ cities in the US and Canada. Digital-first doesn’t mean distant. We’re intentional about in-person connection through team onsites, planning sessions, and moments that spark creativity and trust. And whether you choose to work primarily from home or collaborate in-person from one of our offices in Columbus, Austin, the Bay Area, or New York City (opening Summer 2026), you’ll have the support to work in the way that works best for you. If you’re energized by tackling meaningful problems, excited to innovate with purpose, and motivated by work that truly matters, we’d love to hear from you. Director of Engineering - Platform Engineering Upstart Upstart (NASDAQ: UPST) is the leading AI lending marketplace, connecting millions of consumers to 100 banks and credit unions that leverage Upstart’s AI models and cloud applications to deliver superior credit products. With Upstart AI, lenders can approve more borrowers at lower rates across races, ages, and genders, while delivering the exceptional digital-first experience customers demand. More than 80% of borrowers are approved instantly, with zero documentation to upload. Founded in 2012, Upstart’s platform includes personal loans, automotive retail and refinance loans, and small-dollar “relief” loans. Upstart is based in San Mateo, California, and Columbus, Ohio. Most Upstarters join us because they connect with our mission of enabling access to effortless credit based on true risk. The Role The Platform Engineering team builds and maintains the foundational systems that power all of Upstart’s engineering teams and customer-facing products. This includes our API Gateway, Event Bus, gRPC stack, Frontend Platform, Design System, and secure Login and Identity solutions. The team’s charter is to deliver the communication fabric, authentication frameworks, and next-generation design systems that scale our products and enable engineers to move faster with confidence. While the team executes well today, there is a significant opportunity to improve customer focus, drive adoption across engineering, and reduce fragmentation. How You’ll Make an Impact Define and drive the vision and roadmap for core platform solutions powering Upstart’s products and engineering teams. Deliver scalable, secure communication and identity frameworks that form the backbone of our product suite. Improve adoption of platform solutions across engineering by partnering closely with other technical leaders. Lead the development of next-generation design systems and frontend platforms that elevate customer and developer experiences. Build alignment across organizations to reduce bespoke solutions and technical debt. Mentor senior engineers and grow future technical leaders within the team. Represent Platform Engineering in weekly Operational Reviews, Engineering Leadership meetings, and Strategic Planning sessions. What we’re looking for Minimum Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or Mathematics, or a related field (or its equivalent) + 10 years of experience, including at least 5 years of direct people management experience Experience leading teams of over 40 in a fast paced dynamic environment. Extensive experience in software engineering, with demonstrated success leading teams that deliver platform-level solutions. Deep expertise in developer productivity frameworks, design systems, and modern front end frameworks Robust expertise in cloud infrastructure, APIs and gateways, event-driven systems, authentication/authorization. Proven ability to lead large-scale projects and influence adoption of shared systems across engineering organizations. Strong technical judgment with the ability to balance speed, scalability, and security. Experience managing Manager and Principal engineers and driving outcomes in cross-functional environments. Preferred qualifications Track record of building and scaling platform teams in fast-moving, high-growth environments. Experience influencing executive-level stakeholders and ensuring adoption of cross-cutting solutions. Familiarity with experimentation frameworks and backend event/data processing systems. Important Details Position Location - This role is available in the following locations: Remote, San Mateo, CA, and Columbus, OH Time Zone Requirements - This team operates on the East/West Coast time zones. Travel Requirements - As a digital first company, the majority of your work can be accomplished remotely. The majority of our employees can live and work anywhere in the U.S but are encouraged to to still spend high quality time in-person collaborating via regular onsites. The in-person sessions’ cadence varies depending on the team and role #LI-REMOTE #LI-Executive 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). United States | Remote - Anticipated Base Salary Range $217,400—$300,900 USD What you'll love At Upstart, our benefits are designed to support your health, financial well-being, family, and personal growth. Here’s what you can expect: 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!). Upstart is a proud Equal Opportunity Employer. Just as we are dedicated to improving access to affordable credit for all, we are committed to inclusive and fair hiring practices. 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 https://www.upstart.com/candidate_privacy_policy