Director of Engineering, Upstart Bank
Upstart, Columbus, OH, United States
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.
The Team Upstart Bank is an evolution of Upstart’s AI lending platform, focused on simplifying the regulatory infrastructure behind our marketplace while expanding access to credit nationwide. By moving from a fragmented, state-based system to a unified federal framework, Upstart Bank enables more consistent borrower experiences, reduces structural costs, and unlocks opportunities to improve pricing, compliance, and access to credit at scale.
As Director of Engineering for Upstart Bank, you will build and lead the engineering organization responsible for the core platforms that enable the bank to operate at scale. Starting from a small, high-caliber seed team, you will define the technical strategy, organizational design, and execution model for systems spanning ledgering and funding, deposits and payments, marketplace integrations, and reporting. You will partner closely with Product, Compliance, Legal, Risk, Finance, and Operations to deliver scalable, reliable, and audit-ready infrastructure for a modern banking platform.
This is a rare opportunity to help build a modern bank platform from an early foundation rather than inherit a legacy core.
How you’ll make an impact
Build the Upstart Bank engineering organization from an initial seed team into a scaled, high-performing domain with multiple teams and managers
Define and drive the technical strategy and architecture for core bank platforms, including ledgering and funding, deposits and payments, marketplace integrations, and reporting
Set the organization design, hiring strategy, and leadership bench needed to scale the Upstart Bank engineering org
Partner with Product and cross-functional leaders to translate business, regulatory, and operational priorities into engineering architecture, sequencing, and delivery
Own delivery across critical bank platform domains, ensuring teams execute predictably and deliver reliable, scalable, high-quality infrastructure
Establish engineering standards and operating mechanisms that support reliability, resilience, security, traceability, and auditability
Lead cross-functional execution across complex dependencies with Compliance, Legal, Risk, Finance, and Operations
Build systems and processes that support internal controls, audits, and high-confidence operation in a regulated environment
Develop engineering leaders and foster a culture of high standards, ownership, and continuous improvement
Minimum Qualifications
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 building and scaling engineering organizations, including hiring and developing teams through periods of rapid growth or organizational formation
Strong technical background with a track record of setting architecture and technical direction for complex distributed systems and cloud platforms
Experience leading engineering in regulated or high-control environments where reliability, controls, auditability, and change management are critical
Experience partnering with senior cross-functional and executive stakeholders on business-critical platforms
Preferred Qualifications
Experience building core financial infrastructure such as ledgering, payments, deposits, funding systems, reporting, or financial integrations
Experience in banking, fintech, payments, or other regulated financial systems
Experience building platforms that support internal controls, audits, and reliable operation in regulated environments
Experience leading platform modernization, core-system launches, or major infrastructure transformations
Demonstrated ability to attract and develop strong technical talent in competitive hiring markets
Interest in improving access to credit through technology and scalable financial infrastructure
Position Location This role is available in the following locations: Remote, San Mateo, CA, and Columbus, OH
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 still spend high quality time in-person collaborating via regular onsites. The in-person sessions’ cadence varies depending on the team and role; most teams meet once or twice per quarter for 2-4 consecutive days at a time.
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.
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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.
The Team Upstart Bank is an evolution of Upstart’s AI lending platform, focused on simplifying the regulatory infrastructure behind our marketplace while expanding access to credit nationwide. By moving from a fragmented, state-based system to a unified federal framework, Upstart Bank enables more consistent borrower experiences, reduces structural costs, and unlocks opportunities to improve pricing, compliance, and access to credit at scale.
As Director of Engineering for Upstart Bank, you will build and lead the engineering organization responsible for the core platforms that enable the bank to operate at scale. Starting from a small, high-caliber seed team, you will define the technical strategy, organizational design, and execution model for systems spanning ledgering and funding, deposits and payments, marketplace integrations, and reporting. You will partner closely with Product, Compliance, Legal, Risk, Finance, and Operations to deliver scalable, reliable, and audit-ready infrastructure for a modern banking platform.
This is a rare opportunity to help build a modern bank platform from an early foundation rather than inherit a legacy core.
How you’ll make an impact
Build the Upstart Bank engineering organization from an initial seed team into a scaled, high-performing domain with multiple teams and managers
Define and drive the technical strategy and architecture for core bank platforms, including ledgering and funding, deposits and payments, marketplace integrations, and reporting
Set the organization design, hiring strategy, and leadership bench needed to scale the Upstart Bank engineering org
Partner with Product and cross-functional leaders to translate business, regulatory, and operational priorities into engineering architecture, sequencing, and delivery
Own delivery across critical bank platform domains, ensuring teams execute predictably and deliver reliable, scalable, high-quality infrastructure
Establish engineering standards and operating mechanisms that support reliability, resilience, security, traceability, and auditability
Lead cross-functional execution across complex dependencies with Compliance, Legal, Risk, Finance, and Operations
Build systems and processes that support internal controls, audits, and high-confidence operation in a regulated environment
Develop engineering leaders and foster a culture of high standards, ownership, and continuous improvement
Minimum Qualifications
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 building and scaling engineering organizations, including hiring and developing teams through periods of rapid growth or organizational formation
Strong technical background with a track record of setting architecture and technical direction for complex distributed systems and cloud platforms
Experience leading engineering in regulated or high-control environments where reliability, controls, auditability, and change management are critical
Experience partnering with senior cross-functional and executive stakeholders on business-critical platforms
Preferred Qualifications
Experience building core financial infrastructure such as ledgering, payments, deposits, funding systems, reporting, or financial integrations
Experience in banking, fintech, payments, or other regulated financial systems
Experience building platforms that support internal controls, audits, and reliable operation in regulated environments
Experience leading platform modernization, core-system launches, or major infrastructure transformations
Demonstrated ability to attract and develop strong technical talent in competitive hiring markets
Interest in improving access to credit through technology and scalable financial infrastructure
Position Location This role is available in the following locations: Remote, San Mateo, CA, and Columbus, OH
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 still spend high quality time in-person collaborating via regular onsites. The in-person sessions’ cadence varies depending on the team and role; most teams meet once or twice per quarter for 2-4 consecutive days at a time.
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.
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