Principal Security Engineer

About Upstart

Upstart is a 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 two-thirds of Upstart loans are approved instantly and are fully automated.

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; and Austin, Texas.

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!

• Lead complex, high-impact security initiatives with cross-team dependencies across our products, services, infrastructure, and enterprise
• Collaborate with key stakeholders to develop and implement security patterns that reduce risk and enable developers
• Provide mentorship, foster a strong security culture and promote security excellence
• Continually assess Upstart’s security risk posture and influencing priorities and roadmap decisions
• Stay at the forefront of innovative security solutions to strengthen our stance
• Monitor emerging threats and attack methods, ensuring Upstart remains one step ahead

• Minimum requirements:
  • Deep expertise across multiple security domains (e.g. Application Security, Infrastructure Security, Enterprise Security, Detection & Response, Security GRC, Customer Trust, Offensive Security)
  • Demonstrable track record as an influential security leader, driving security solutions across multiple stakeholder groups
  • Experience with advanced threat modeling techniques and risk assessment
  • Strong communication skills, capable of engaging engineers and senior leadership through clear, concise, and effective messaging (both written and verbal).
  • Ability to promote innovative security solutions while independently navigating ambiguity to drive change.
  • 10+ years of experience in security leadership, open to strong individual contributors and people managers
• Preferred qualifications:
  • Strong security program management experience, leading large-scale, multi-team security initiatives.
  • Contributions to the security industry (e.g. industry presentations, white papers, OSS projects, patents)
  • Familiarity with compliance frameworks, including SOC1, SOC2, and SOX

This role is available in the following locations:
Remote, San Mateo, Columbus, Austin

This team operates across all U.S. time zones.

This team has regular on-site collaboration sessions. These occur 3 days per quarter at an Upstart office. If you need to travel to make these meetups, Upstart will cover all travel related expenses.

• Competitive Compensation (base + bonus & equity)
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage with Health Savings Account contributions from Upstart
• 401(k) with 100% company match up to $4,500 and immediate vesting and after-tax savings
• 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…