Principal IT Engineer

The Team

As a Principal IT Engineer at Upstart, you’ll play a critical role in architecting, implementing, and scaling our infrastructure; ensuring resilience, security, and optimal performance across all systems. This role requires a seasoned DevOps expert who excels in designing large-scale systems, automating complex workflows, and leading cross-functional projects that enhance the speed and efficiency of our IT development and deployment processes. You’ll work closely with teams across engineering, IT, and InfoSec to drive IT and Security outcomes using best practices and foster a culture of continuous improvement.

How you’ll make an impact:

• Lead the design and implementation of scalable, highly available, and secure infrastructure to support IT technology tools like Okta, GSuite, Slack, Jamf, and Palo Alto Firewalls.
• Champion a culture of continuous improvement within IT, identifying opportunities for process optimization, automation, and enhanced security across all IT technology systems
• Drive infrastructure automation through Infrastructure as Code (IaC) using tools such as Terraform or Ansible, ensuring reliability, repeatability, and cost efficiency.
• Architect and lead comprehensive observability solutions and incident response that includes logging, tracing, and metrics collection to support IT Engineering and operations, enhancing troubleshooting and performance analysis.
• Collaborate with InfoSec to implement security best practices and drive compliance alignment across IT technologies, including role-based access control, automated compliance monitoring, and vulnerability management.
• Mentor and guide junior engineers in IT DevOps practices, promoting a collaborative culture focused on innovation, performance, and security. 

What we’re looking for: 

• Minimum requirements:
  • 10+ years of experience in DevOps or IT infrastructure engineering, with a proven record in architecting and managing complex, IT-centric systems
  • Experience leading large cross-team initiatives at companies that have gone through periods of rapid business or organizational growth
  • Advanced skills in cloud infrastructure (preferably AWS) and Infrastructure as Code (IaC) tools such as Terraform, CloudFormation, or Ansible
  • Experience in building and managing CI/CD pipelines for automated deployments, security integrations, and compliance workflows
  • Strong scripting skills in languages like Python and Bash for automation and integration tasks
• Preferred qualifications:
  • Extensive experience designing and implementing scalable, resilient IT infrastructure with multiple integrations across cloud providers.
  • Experience with large sunset of the following technologies Okta, Google workspace, Jamf, Slack enterprise grid, Workato, sumilogic 
  • Excellent problem solving skills and ability to work under pressure.
  • Relevant certifications such as AWS Certified DevOps Engineer, Okta Certified Administrator, or security certifications (e.g., CISSP).

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

Time Zone Requirements - This team operates across all U.S. time zones.

Travel Requirements - 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.

What you'll love: 

• 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

#LI-REMOTE

#LI-MidSenior