Upstart
Senior Database Engineer
Job Summary
The role involves owning and optimizing production database systems built on Postgres, focusing on performance improvements, automation, and tooling development. Candidates should have extensive experience in database engineering, particularly with Postgres and cloud infrastructure like AWS. The position requires strong communication skills, collaboration with cross-functional teams, and experience with database scalability and replication solutions. It offers opportunities for remote work across the U.S., with a focus on improving data workflows and supporting engineering practices within an agile environment.
Required Skills
Benefits
Job Description
About Upstart
Upstart is the 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 80% of borrowers are approved instantly, with zero documentation to upload.
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!
The Team
As a Database Engineer on the Database Engineering team, you will own the tooling, maintenance and performance optimizations of our production database systems built on Postgres technology. The Database Engineering team is responsible for all of the AWS RDS infrastructure which powers our loans. You will lead by developing tools and processes You’ll have wide latitude in technology options to help us choose the right technology for our evolving data workflows.
Position Location - This role is available in the following locations: Remote, San Mateo, Columbus
Time Zone Requirements - This team operates on the East/West Coast time zones.
Travel Requirements - As a digital first company, the majority of your work can be accomplished remotely. The majority of our employees can live and work anywhere in the U.S but are encouraged to to still spend high quality time in-person collaborating via regular onsites. The in-person sessions’ cadence varies depending on the team and role; most teams meet once or twice per quarter for 2-4 consecutive days at a time.
How you’ll make an impact:
- Improving query patterns and dataflows in the operational layer
- Building out tools to reduce the teams workload
- Providing guidance to vertical squads on database best practices
What we’re looking for:
Database Expertise
- 5-10 years of experience in a Database Engineer/DBA role
- Advanced knowledge of Postgres extensions and performance optimization techniques.
- Experience optimizing sql queries and techniques for improving data workflows
- Familiarity with Postgres scalability solutions and can use this knowledge to guide designs
- Advanced knowledge of Postgres Replication solutions
- Proficiency with database normalization
Cloud and Operations experience
- Proficiency in Python or other language for database automation and tooling development
- Knowledge of fundamental AWS building blocks (EC2, EBS, S3, RDS, IAM, VPC)
- Have relevant technical skills (scripting, SQL, Unix command line tools)
- Experience with RDS and monitoring tools such as Datadog
Communication & Collaboration
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills with ability to present complex technical information clearly
- Experience mentoring development teams and conducting technical training on database design standards and query best practice
- Proven ability to work in agile environments and collaborate with cross-functional teams
- Experience with OnCall and the ability to think on your feet
Preferred Qualification
- Experience with Clickhouse and DataDog DBM
Note: Candidates who may not yet meet all listed qualifications are still encouraged to apply, as there will be ample opportunity to develop and strengthen these skills on the job
#LI-REMOTE
#LI-Associate
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 education or training. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your preferred location during the hiring process.
In addition, Upstart provides employees with target bonuses, equity compensation, and generous benefits packages (including medical, dental, vision, and 401k).
Upstart is a proud Equal Opportunity Employer. We are dedicated to ensuring that underrepresented classes receive better access to affordable credit, and are just as committed to embracing diversity and inclusion in our hiring practices. We celebrate all cultures, backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences, and know that we can only become better together.
If you require reasonable accommodation in completing an application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please email [email protected]
Upstart
A lending platform using AI to provide personal loans and credit solutions with a focus on fair and fast approvals.
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