Senior Director of Data Platform Engineering

Upstart

. Lead and evolve Upstart’s data platform organization, including Database Engineering, Data Capture, Data Curation, and Production Experience & Data Governance .

Posted 9/30/2026full-timeRemote • United StatesSenior💰 $261,000 - $357,200 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in leading data platform organizations, including Database Engineering and Data Governance, while effectively managing teams and driving strategic infrastructure initiatives. Proven ability to modernize data architecture and connect technical investments to business priorities in regulated industries.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Data Platform LeadershipData Infrastructure ModernizationPeople ManagementDatabase EngineeringData Governance

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Data ArchitectureData Pipeline ManagementTechnical Roadmap DevelopmentData Quality AssuranceOperational Data ArchitectureData Governance PracticesAnalytics EngineeringDistributed Data SystemsTechnical Debt ReductionDatabase Platforms

Soft Skills

Cross-Functional CollaborationStrategic ThinkingLeadership DevelopmentCommunication SkillsProblem Solving

Industry Keywords

Financial ServicesLendingData-Intensive IndustryRegulated Industry

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Lead and evolve Upstart’s data platform organization, including Database Engineering, Data Capture, Data Curation, and Production Experience & Data Governance
Build platforms and tooling that enable engineering teams to develop and manage reliable data pipelines
Set the strategy and roadmap for Upstart’s data infrastructure
Translate business and technical priorities into high-impact infrastructure investments
Modernize Upstart’s operational data architecture
Partner with engineering teams to simplify systems, improve reliability and data quality, and reduce technical debt
Develop engineering leaders and teams
Establish 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 and establish priorities
Potentially expand scope to include Analytics Engineering, leading an organization of approximately 50 people and five direct reports

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience
10+ years of relevant experience
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 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
Knowledge of database engineering, data governance, data quality, and operational data architecture
Experience partnering with or leading an Analytics Engineering function
Experience 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
Ability to work on East/West coast time zones

Benefits

Comp & perks

Competitive compensation, including base pay, bonus opportunities, and annual equity grants that vest quarterly
401(k) or Group Retirement Savings Plan with a company match of $2 for every $1 contributed, up to $15,000 annually
Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) with discounted stock purchase options for eligible employees (US only)
Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and wellness coverage/resources for US employees; supplemental health coverage for Canada
Health Savings Account contributions for eligible plans (US only)
Life insurance and disability coverage
Paid time off, sick leave, and company holidays
Paid family and parental leave
Family-centered fertility, parenthood, and caregiving benefits
Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with mental health support and life-centered resources
Financial planning tools and financial concierge service (US only)
Annual wellness allowance
Annual productivity allowance for relevant tools and resources
Team events, all-company updates, and employee resource groups (ERGs)
Catered lunches and fully stocked micro-kitchens at offices in the Bay Area, Austin, Columbus, and New York City