Upstart
Financial Services
PrincipalAppliedScientist
Neural analysis suggests this role is
optimal for Senior candidates.
“Principal Applied Scientist at Upstart. Skills: Machine learning, Optimization, Causal inference, Decision systems. Define technical vision for offer decisioning systems. Build conversion modeling approaches”
What You'll Achieve.
Improve conversion; Improve borrower experience; Improve lender surplus; Improve marketplace efficiency
Industry & Context.
Ambiguous problem spaces; Systems thinking
What They're Looking For.
Must Have
Advanced degree in quantitative field, 8+ years experience building ML models, Experience with optimization, Experience with operations research, Experience with constrained decision-making, Working knowledge of causal inference, Grounding in statistics, Grounding in probability, Experience leading cross-functional initiatives, Experience working across technical teams
Nice to Have
PhD in operations research, PhD in statistics, PhD in economics, PhD in computer science, PhD in quantitative field, Experience with offer optimization, Experience with pricing systems, Experience with marketplace optimization, Experience with end-to-end modeling, Experience in fintech, Experience in lending, Experience in marketplaces, Principal-level technical lead experience, Mentoring senior scientists, Raising technical bar across organization
What You'll Do.
Define technical vision for offer decisioning systems
Build conversion modeling approaches
Optimize decisions across multiple stages
Ensure models account for downstream impacts
Design interfaces between decision systems
Drive cross-functional technical alignment
Scope and lead ambiguous initiatives
Partner with scientists and engineers
Translate insights into production approaches
Ensure work progresses toward unified architecture
Contribute to implementation efforts
Operationalize new approaches
How You'll Work.
Team & Collaboration
Cross-functional technical alignment; Multiple technical teams; Multiple stakeholders
Full Job Description
About Upstart 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. The Team: Upstart’s Growth and Marketplace Optimization teams are responsible for building the decision systems that determine how offers are presented, optimized, and evolved across the customer journey. These systems sit at the intersection of machine learning, optimization, pricing, marketplace dynamics, and borrower behavior. The work spans partner channels, onsite experiences, and marketplace optimization, with t
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