Principal Mobile Engineer, Android | JobSetuu

Description

Job Overview

• Source: Jobicy

Job Description

The Team: 

Upstart’s Cash Line and Unsecured Installment teams are building and scaling mobile experiences across two important lending product surfaces. This role will help both teams drive Android migration work, strengthen Upstart’s mobile foundation, and support a newly approved Android app launch plan on an aggressive timeline. The work is highly cross-functional and high-visibility, with direct impact on product strategy, engineering execution, and the experience of future Android borrowers.

As the Principal Software Engineer, Android at Upstart, you will lead critical Android initiatives across both the Cash Line and Unsecured Installment teams while helping shape the long-term mobile architecture across those product areas. You’ll serve as the senior technical owner for native Android work, partner across both teams to deliver against an ambitious roadmap, and continue as a mobile specialist after launch with enough React Native experience to influence frontend direction, delivery, and engineering quality across the broader stack. This is a high-impact individual contributor role with meaningful technical leadership, cross-team influence, and mentorship responsibility.

How you’ll make an impact

• Lead Android migration and development efforts across Cash Line and Unsecured Installment product surfaces, making thoughtful technical decisions that improve product quality, scalability, and speed of execution.

• Help deliver against Upstart’s approved Android launch plan, translating aggressive business goals into pragmatic technical milestones and execution plans.

• Set technical direction for mobile architecture, helping the teams evolve a strong foundation across native Android and React Native surfaces while keeping Android expertise at the core.

• Partner closely with product, design, and engineering stakeholders across both teams to translate roadmap priorities into durable mobile solutions.

• Raise the bar for engineering excellence through technical leadership, design reviews, mentorship, and pragmatic execution in ambiguous, high-visibility problem spaces.

• After launch, continue as a mobile specialist who can support both the Cash Line and Unsecured Installment teams, bringing deep Android expertise alongside enough React Native fluency to contribute across shared mobile surfaces.

Minimum Qualifications 

• 8+ years of software engineering experience, including substantial experience building and shipping native Android applications in Kotlin and/or Java.

• Proven track record leading large, cross-team mobile initiatives, platform migrations, or new mobile product launches in production environments.

• Experience shipping consumer-facing mobile products at scale with strong attention to performance, reliability, and user experience.

• Native Android depth in Kotlin and/or Java, plus working experience with React Native and TypeScript to operate effectively across a mixed mobile stack.

• Demonstrated technical leadership as a senior individual contributor, including architecture ownership, mentorship, and influence across teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience serving as the mobile or frontend technical lead for a product team or business-critical product surface.

• Breadth across mobile platforms, including familiarity with iOS development, React Native, or cross-platform mobile architecture.

• Background in fintech, lending, or other consumer financial products with complex user journeys and high quality expectations.

• Experience helping teams build conviction around new mobile investments through technical proposals, feasibility work, or proof-of-concept execution.

• Comfort leading through ambiguity in fast-scaling product environments where scope, ownership, and roadmap priorities evolve over time.

• Experience building alignment across engineering, product, design, and leadership partners in high-visibility, cross-functional organizations.

Position Location - This role is available in the following locations: Remote, Burlingame, Columbus, Austin, New York

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.

#LI-REMOTE

#LI-MidSenior --> use for L5, L6

Expert Career Tips for Principal Mobile Engineer, Android Roles

To succeed in a competitive market as a Principal Mobile Engineer, Android, you need more than just technical skills. Here are some expert strategies to elevate your profile:

• Build a Strong Portfolio: For technical roles, a clean GitHub or a personal project site is essential. For non-technical roles, a case study portfolio demonstrating problem-solving and impact is equally valuable. Show, don't just tell, what you have achieved in your previous positions.
• Master the Narrative: When interviewing, use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers. Quantify your results wherever possible—mentioning "increased efficiency by 20%" is much more impactful than saying "improved efficiency."
• Continuous Learning: The industry moves fast. Whether it's staying updated with the latest AI tools or mastering a new management methodology, continuous professional development is key. Consider obtaining industry-recognized certifications that align with Principal Mobile Engineer, Android requirements.
• Networking: Connect with other professionals in similar roles. Join online communities, attend webinars, and engage in meaningful discussions on professional social networks. Often, the best opportunities come through referrals and community engagement.
• Soft Skills Matter: Communication, empathy, and leadership are often the deciding factors between two equally qualified technical candidates. Cultivate these skills as they are universally valued across all industries and seniority levels.

Additionally, research the specific company's culture and values. Tailoring your application to show how you align with their mission can significantly increase your chances of moving forward in the process.

Salary & Compensation

Salary not disclosed; typically competitive for the role.

Work Arrangement

Type: On-Site

Standard business hours at the office.

Comprehensive Application Strategy & Hiring Process

Applying for a new role is a marathon, not a sprint. Follow this strategic approach to maximize your success rate:

1. Initial Research & Tailoring

Don't send the same resume to every employer. Spend at least 30 minutes researching the company. Look for recent news, their product roadmap, and their team structure. Modify your summary and core competencies to reflect the specific keywords found in the job description.

2. The Perfect Cover Letter

If the application allows for a cover letter, use it to tell a story that your resume cannot. Explain why you are passionate about this specific company and how your unique background makes you the perfect fit for the challenges they are currently facing.

3. Navigating the Multi-Stage Interview

Most modern hiring processes involve 3-5 stages. This typically includes a recruiter screen, a technical or skill-based assessment, a peer interview, and a final leadership round. Prepare for each stage differently: focus on enthusiasm and fit for the recruiter, technical depth for the assessment, and strategic vision for the leadership round.

4. Post-Interview Follow-Up

Always send a personalized thank-you note within 24 hours of each interview. Reference a specific topic discussed during the call to demonstrate your active listening and genuine interest in the role.

By following these steps, you demonstrate a high level of professionalism and attention to detail that sets you apart from the average applicant.

Typical Interview Process

1. Resume screening
2. HR call
3. Skill interview
4. Final manager interview
5. Offer

Tip: Research the company's products and culture.

Global Market Intelligence & Relocation Insights

At JobSetuu, we specialize in helping talent navigate the global job market. Here is what you need to know about the current landscape in Global and beyond:

The demand for skilled professionals is increasingly borderless. For roles based in Global, understanding the local cost of living, visa requirements (if applicable), and cultural nuances is vital. If this is a remote role, consider the time zone alignment and the asynchronous communication culture of the hiring organization.

Relocation Support: Many forward-thinking companies offer relocation packages that include moving stipends, temporary housing, and legal assistance with work permits. When evaluating an offer, look beyond the base salary—consider the total compensation package, including equity, bonuses, and healthcare benefits.

Work-Life Balance Trends: Hybrid and remote work have become standard in many regions. Research the local labor laws and common practices regarding work hours and vacation time to ensure the role aligns with your lifestyle goals.

Leveraging JobSetuu's tools can help you compare salaries across different cities and understand the "purchasing power" of your potential offer, ensuring you make an informed decision for your long-term career path.

Skills & Competency Roadmap for Professional Development

To remain competitive in Professional Development, we recommend focusing on the following core competencies over the next 12-18 months:

• Technical Mastery: Deepen your expertise in the core tools and languages relevant to your field. For developers, this might be cloud architecture; for marketers, it might be data-driven attribution modeling.
• AI Augmentation: Learn how to leverage generative AI and automation tools to increase your productivity. Understanding how to integrate these technologies into your workflow is becoming a non-negotiable skill.
• Leadership & Strategy: Even in individual contributor roles, the ability to think strategically and lead projects from inception to completion is highly valued. Focus on stakeholder management and high-level project planning.
• Data Literacy: The ability to interpret data and use it to drive decisions is essential across all business functions. Familiarize yourself with data visualization and basic analytical concepts.

By investing in these areas, you not only prepare yourself for the role you are applying for today but also build a resilient foundation for the opportunities of tomorrow.

Apply via JobSetuu

Discover your next career milestone on JobSetuu. This Principal Mobile Engineer, Android position is part of our commitment to bringing you the most relevant and high-impact job openings globally. At JobSetuu, we simplify your job search by aggregating premier listings and providing the tools you need to stand out. Don't miss the chance to elevate your professional journey—explore more opportunities and career insights on our platform today.