About Upstart
Upstart is the leading AI lending marketplace partnering with banks and credit unions to expand access to affordable credit. By leveraging Upstart's AI marketplace, Upstart-powered banks and credit unions can have higher approval rates and lower loss rates across races, ages, and genders, while simultaneously delivering the exceptional digital-first lending experience their customers demand. More than 80% of borrowers are approved instantly, with zero documentation to upload.
Upstart is a digital-first company, which means that most Upstarters live and work anywhere in the United States. However, we also have offices in San Mateo, California; Columbus, Ohio; Austin, Texas; and New York City, NY (opening Summer 2026).
Most Upstarters join us because they connect with our mission of enabling access to effortless credit based on true risk. If you are energized by the impact you can make at Upstart, we’d love to hear from you!
The Team
We’re looking for a Principal Application Security Engineer to join our growing Information Security team. Your primary function will be to work with Upstart’s engineering and product management teams to ensure that our product platform is secure, safe and reliable.
You’ll have the latitude to touch every aspect of our security strategies, with the opportunity to specialize as the team grows. As one of the key resources on the Security team, you will have significant influence over the design of Upstart's Security program.
Position Location - This role is available in the following locations: San Mateo, Columbus, Austin, Remote (#LI-REMOTE)
Time Zone Requirements - This team operates on the East/West Coast time zones.
Travel Requirements - This team has regular on-site collaboration sessions. These occur 5 days per Quarter at one of our office locations or some other off-site location determined by your team/manager. If you need to travel to make these meetups, Upstart will cover all travel related expenses.
How you’ll make an impact:
- Work closely with our engineering and data science teams to securely design and implement new products and features, including the development and maintenance of threat models for high-risk functionality.
- Set up a regular vulnerability scanning tools and manage remediation of identified issues
- Support teams with vulnerability remediation efforts, including the design of remediation strategies.
- Assess the threat model for cloud native infrastructures and applications
- Identify and design company-wide security controls and solutions.
- Operate as an integral member of the engineering team and advocate for security best practices across the organization
- Help identify Upstart’s internal and external attack surface in a dynamic environment
What we’re looking for:
Minimum requirements:
- 3+ years of experience in an application security or security engineering-focused role
- An IT/CS degree or equivalent knowledge
- Experience in Java, Python or Ruby development
- Knowledge of industry standard authentication and authorization protocols (TLS, SAML, etc)
- Previous usage or knowledge of SAST/DAST and vulnerability scanners
- Understanding of Full Stack Development, SDLC, and CI/CD pipelines
- Understanding of network stack and common protocols
- A self-starter who is comfortable getting hands-on and engaging in all areas of product security, from ideation to deployment.
- Ability to collaborate cross-functionally and communicate effectively with highly technical teams
Preferred qualifications:
- 7+ years of experience in a high-security environment
- MS degree or equivalent knowledge
- Certification in IT or cybersecurity (e.g. OSCP, OSCE, OSWE)
- Experience conducting product/application level security audits, penetration tests, and security focused code reviews
- AWS, K8s and CI/CD pipeline experience
- Contributions to the security industry (e.g. whitepaper, security advisories, OSS projects, patents)
What you'll love:
- Competitive Compensation (base + bonus & equity)
- Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage with Health Savings Account contributions from Upstart
- Generous 401(k) plan with Upstart matching $2 for every $1 contributed, up to $15,000 per year
- Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)
- Life and disability insurance
- Generous holiday, vacation, sick and safety leave
- Supportive parental, family care, and military leave programs
- Annual wellness, technology & ergonomic reimbursement programs
- Social activities including team events and onsites, all-company updates, employee resource groups (ERGs), and other interest groups such as book clubs, fitness, investing, and volunteering
- Catered lunches + snacks & drinks when working in offices
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).
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 [email protected]
https://www.upstart.com/candidate_privacy_policy
Top Skills
What the Team is Saying
What We Do
Upstart is the leading AI lending marketplace, connecting millions of consumers to more than 100 banks and credit unions that leverage Upstart’s AI models and cloud applications to deliver superior credit products. With Upstart's 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, home equity lines of credit, and small-dollar “relief” loans.
If you are energized by the impact you think you could make at Upstart, we'd love to hear from you!
Why Work With Us
Connection to our mission creates a special environment where people feel passionately about the impact they make in the world. Upstart is fast-paced, and we encourage ownership at all levels of the organization. As a result, culture at Upstart is driven by Upstarters. Upstarters are proactive, talented, multi-dimensional and collaborative.
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Upstart Offices
Remote Workspace
Employees work remotely.
Upstart has a digital-first model enabling most Upstarters can live and work anywhere in the U.S. We also offer in-person options from our office locations in San Mateo, California; Columbus, Ohio; Austin, Texas; and New York City, NY.
