Director, Software Engineering, Mobile Platform

Upstart

5h•Remote

About The Position

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. As the Director, Software Engineering, Mobile Platform, you will lead and scale Upstart’s Mobile Platform organization, shaping and driving our overall mobile platform strategy. With the majority of customer interactions now occurring via mobile, this channel is central to Upstart’s continued growth and to our ability to operate as a multi-product company. As an example, Upstart recently announced our first mobile-only product, CashLine. Your leadership will ensure that our mobile platform reliably supports every current and future product, while delivering a seamless, engaging, and high-performing customer experience. Specifically, Mobile Platform engineering is responsible for: Building a Strong Foundation – Developing shared platform capabilities (e.g., account creation, navigation, and observability) that power all loan products on mobile. Accelerate Mobile Development – Reducing friction for product teams by providing reusable components, reliable release pipelines, and high-quality testing frameworks. Expanding Our Reach – Improving application discoverability and onboarding flows (including app downloads and account creation) to bring more customers to Upstart. Maximizing Customer Lifetime Value – Enabling users to seamlessly manage their loan applications, access credit repeatedly, and make monthly repayments effortlessly. As a key engineering leader, you will collaborate closely with Product Management, Legal & Compliance, UX/UI Design, Data Analytics, and Loan Product teams to drive mobile innovation and excellence. You will have the opportunity to refine the scope and strategy of Upstart’s mobile platform, as well as the long-term organizational structure of the mobile platform engineering team.

Requirements

Proven experience leading mobile engineering teams in high-growth, consumer-facing technology companies.
Strong background in native mobile development using React Native (both iOS and Android preferred), including deep expertise in engineering best practices, frameworks, and scalable architectures.
Demonstrated ability to scale and structure teams, balancing technical leadership with people management.
Experience working closely with Product, Design, and Analytics to develop customer-centric mobile experiences.
A data-driven mindset, with a strong ability to measure impact and drive continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

Define and drive the mobile platform vision – Establish a culture of technical excellence, innovation, and collaboration.
Lead and grow a high-performing team – Recruit, mentor, and develop engineering leaders and individual contributors, fostering a sense of ownership and accountability.
Deliver a world-class mobile experience – Lead the development of a robust, native iOS application that enables users to apply for loans, manage their accounts, and handle repayments seamlessly.
Operationalize success metrics – Establish clear KPIs to measure engineering efficiency, product performance, and business impact.
Drive automation and process improvements – Champion best practices in mobile development, CI/CD, testing, and deployment.
Strategic Roadmapping & Prioritization – Partner with cross-functional teams to develop and execute medium- and long-term mobile strategies.

Benefits

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!).