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Principal Machine Learning Engineer
Location
United States
Posted
65 days ago
Salary
$220.7K - $300K / year
Seniority
Lead
Job Description
Principal Machine Learning Engineer
Upstart
• Scale ML innovation by building tools, infrastructure, and workflows that dramatically improve the speed and reliability of model development. • Work backward from modeling needs to design systems that directly unlock gains in accuracy, efficiency, and scientific productivity. • Explore new algorithms and methodologies for our machine learning models and develop tooling to support them. • Improve the entire ML lifecycle—from data readiness and feature development through training, evaluation, serving, and monitoring. • Automate and standardize operational workflows, enabling scientists to focus on high-leverage modeling and analysis rather than manual pipelines. • Define the roadmap for our next generation ML Platform, balancing near-term impact with long-term architectural scalability. • Collaborate cross-functionally with Data Engineering, ML Platform, Pricing, and other teams to build reliable, end-to-end ML systems.
Job Requirements
- 7+ years of hands-on experience in applied machine learning, with strong exposure to production-scale modeling efforts.
- Demonstrated expertise in end-to-end model development: data prep, feature engineering, training, evaluation, and deployment.
- Experience working in high-scale, ML-driven product environments—especially in fintech, pricing, or risk modeling.
- Proficiency in Python and core ML frameworks (e.g., PyTorch, TensorFlow, Scikit-learn, XGBoost).
- Ability to work autonomously and lead technical direction in ambiguous, high-impact domains.
- Experience collaborating with cross-functional teams including ML scientists, engineers, and product partners.
- Ability to bridge engineering and science teams, and influence technical strategy across disciplines.
- Numerically-savvy and smart with ability to operate at a fast pace
- Master’s degree or PhD in a quantitative discipline, or equivalent additional professional experience.
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!).
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