Senior Director of Data 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 3,000 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, 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’s Data Platform organization builds and operates the data infrastructure and platforms that enable teams across the company to move, store, and use data reliably. The organization currently includes Database Engineering, Data Capture, Data Curation, and Production Experience & Data Governance, with approximately 35 people and 4 managers.

This is a platform-focused organization: the team builds the infrastructure and tooling that enable engineering teams to build and own their own data pipelines rather than embedding data engineers directly within product teams. Data is foundational to how Upstart operates, making this organization an important partner across Engineering, Analytics, Analytics Engineering, and Machine Learning Platform.

As the Senior Director of Data Platform Engineering, you will lead this organization and set the strategy for Upstart’s data infrastructure. For a Senior Director-level hire, the scope may expand to include Analytics Engineering, bringing the organization to approximately 50 people and five direct reports.

How you’ll make an impact

• Lead and evolve Upstart’s data platform organization, including Database Engineering, Data Capture, Data Curation, and Production Experience & Data Governance, building platforms and tooling that enable engineering teams to develop and manage reliable data pipelines.
• Set the strategy and roadmap for Upstart’s data infrastructure, developing deep context on business and technical priorities and translating that context into high-impact infrastructure investments.
• Modernize Upstart’s operational data architecture, partnering with engineering teams to simplify systems, improve reliability and data quality, and reduce technical debt.
• Develop engineering leaders and teams, establishing clear ownership, operating practices, and technical standards across the data platform organization.
• Partner across Analytics, Analytics Engineering, Engineering, and Machine Learning Platform to understand shared needs, establish priorities, and evolve Upstart’s data ecosystem.

Minimum Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, or a related field (or equivalent practical experience) and 10+ years of relevant experience, including at least 5 years of direct people management experience.
• Experience leading a data engineering or data platform organization, including managing managers and multiple engineering teams.
• Experience leading the development and operation of shared data platforms or infrastructure that enable engineering teams to build and manage their own data pipelines.
• Experience owning strategy and technical roadmaps for large-scale data infrastructure, database platforms, or distributed data systems.
• Experience leading data infrastructure modernization, architecture evolution, or technical-debt reduction in a production environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of database engineering, data governance, data quality, and operational data architecture.
• Experience partnering with or leading an Analytics Engineering function.
• Experience working in a regulated or data-intensive industry, such as financial services or lending.
• Ability to connect data infrastructure investments to business priorities and translate needs across technical and non-technical partners.
• Experience leading organizations through changes in data architecture, operating models, or platform ownership.

Position location This role is available in the following locations: Remote 

Time zone requirements The 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; most teams meet once or twice per quarter for 2-4 consecutive days at a time.

#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).

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 
• Retirement benefits to help you plan for the future, including a 401(k) or Group Retirement Savings Plan with a company match of $2 for every $1 contributed, up to $15,000 annually (USD in the US, CAD in Canada)
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) with discounted stock purchase options for eligible employees (US only)
• Comprehensive health coverage designed to support you and your family, including medical, dental, vision, and wellness resources for US and supplemental health coverage for Canada.
• Health Savings Account contributions from Upstart for eligible plans (US only)
• Income protection benefits, including life insurance and disability coverage for added financial security
• Paid time off, sick leave, and company holidays, in line with local requirements
• Paid family and parental leave to support caregiving and major life moments (duration varies by country)
• Family-centered benefits to support fertility, parenthood, and caregiving needs
• 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 (US Only)
• 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, all-company updates, and employee resource groups (ERGs)
• Onsite perks, including catered lunches and fully stocked micro-kitchens when working from one of our offices in the Bay Area, Austin, Columbus, and New York City

For roles based in Canada, please note that we are not currently able to hire in Quebec.

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