Information Security Engineer Internship - Charlotte, NC (Summer 2027)

Principal Financial Group; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 44,000 - 47,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Internship stipend $4,000 (tax gross‑u

Mentored internship program

Job summary

Principal Financial Group's Technology & Engineering internship program offers opportunities for 100+ interns and has a strong reputation with over 20 years of history. You’ll work on real projects collaborating with a range of team members from other interns through senior level management.

We'll place you in a role customized to your expertise and interests all while working in an Agile team environment. You'll be assigned a formal leader and mentor to help guide you through the program.

Qualifications

• Currently pursuing or completed undergrad in a STEM field.
• Involvement in campus or community organizations or prior internship experience.
• Strong communication, organization, and work ethic; passion for technology.

Responsibilities

• Work on real projects in an Agile team environment with a mentor.
• Support security operations and engineering across multiple domains.
• Collaborate with interns and senior leaders on security initiatives.

Skills

Cyber Defense Operations

Governance, Risk, and Compliance

Identity and Access Management

Insider Risk

Data Protection

Security Automation

Education

Undergraduate STEM degree in progress or completed

Tools

Programming/scripting languages

Automation tools

Cloud platforms & cloud security

DevOps/Agile practices

Cybersecurity frameworks

Job description

What You’ll Do

Our Technology & Engineering internship program offers opportunities for 100+ interns and has a strong reputation with over 20 years of history. You’ll work on real projects collaborating with a range of team members from other interns through senior level management. We'll place you in a role customized to your expertise and interests all while working in an Agile team environment. You'll be assigned a formal leader and mentor to help guide you through the program. This is an excellent opportunity to understand and learn more about Principal’s Technology Engineering culture.

As an Information Security Engineer Intern, team alignment could be within one of the following areas

• Cyber Defense Operations Serves as the front line of cyber defense by monitoring, detecting, investigating, and responding to potential security threats and vulnerabilities across Principal’s networks, systems, and applications.
• Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Partners with business and technology teams to establish security policies, standards, and controls. This team helps identify, assess, and manage information security risks while providing insight into the organization’s overall risk posture.
• Identity and Access Management Designs, implements, and supports enterprise identity, authentication, and access management solutions that help ensure users have secure and appropriate access to company resources.
• Insider Risk Monitors and analyzes user activity to identify potential insider threats, policy violations, and risky behaviors. The team works to strengthen prevention, detection, investigation, and response capabilities to protect the organization from internal risks.
• Data Protection Safeguards sensitive information by implementing controls and technologies that help ensure data is securely stored, accessed, shared, and transmitted across the organization.
• Security Automation Develops and maintains automated solutions that improve the efficiency and effectiveness of security operations. The team leverages automation, orchestration, and integrations to streamline workflows and reduce manual effort.

Operating at the intersection of financial services and technology, Principal builds financial tools that help our customers live better lives. We take pride in being a purpose-led firm, motivated by our mission to make financial security accessible to all. Our mission, integrity, and customer focus have made us a trusted leader for more than 140 years.

Who You Are

• Currently pursuing or have completed an undergraduate degree program - in a preferred science, technology, engineering, or math-related field of study
• Involvement in student organizations on your respective campus, within the community, or have prior internship experience
• Exceptional communication and organizational skills and a strong work ethic
• Passion for technology including technical curiosity and ability to think critically and solution for technology-based problems

Skills That Will Help You Stand Out

• Interest in and/or experience with information security technologies, tools, and concepts
• Leadership experience in student, professional, or community organizations
• Previous IT internship or relevant work experience
• Proven continuous learning through certifications, training, research, or other non-traditional learning paths
• Technical experience with:
  • Programming and/or scripting languages
  • Automation tools
  • Cloud platforms and cloud security concepts
  • DevOps or Agile methodologies
  • Cybersecurity frameworks and standards

Salary Range Information

Salary ranges below reflect targeted base salaries. Non-sales positions have the opportunity to participate in a bonus program. Sales positions are eligible for sales incentives, and in some instances a bonus plan, whereby total compensation may far exceed base salary depending on individual performance. Actual compensation for all roles will be based upon geographic location, work experience, education, licensure requirements and/or skill level and will be finalized at the time of offer.

Salary Range (Non-Exempt expressed as hourly; Exempt expressed as yearly)

$32 - $34 / hour

Time Off Program

Paid company holidays and any time off required in your state.

Pension Eligible

No

Work Environments

This role will be in Charlotte, NC. Individuals in this role are required to work a minimum of 3 days per week in the office.

Internship Stipend

You will receive a lump sum stipend of $4,000. This amount is intended to support incidental expenses you may incur as part of your internship. The Company will provide a tax gross-up on this stipend as a financial benefit but is not intended to compensate for all tax liabilities.

Our Internship Culture

Join an established program that provides hands‑on experiences for 200+ interns each year! You’ll learn new skills with dedicated teams and mentors, build your professional network and collaborate across a global Fortune 500 company. We care about offering you diverse experiences and exciting challenges that push you to reach for bigger life goals, all while enjoying our flexibility and work life balance. Join us for events such as our Executive Speaker Series, gain career direction, and much more.

Work Authorization/Sponsorship

At this time, we're not considering applicants that need any type of immigration sponsorship (additional work authorization or permanent work authorization) now or in the future to work in the United States. This includes, but IS NOT LIMITED TO: F1-OPT, F1-CPT, H-1B, TN, L-1, J-1, etc. For additional information around work authorization needs please use the following links.

Nonimmigrant Workers and Green Card for Employment‑Based Immigrants

Investment Code of Ethics

For Principal Asset Management positions, you’ll need to follow an Investment Code of Ethics related to personal and business conduct as well as personal trading activities for you and members of your household. These same requirements may also apply to other positions across the organization.

Experience Principal

At Principal, we value connecting on both a personal and professional level. Together, we’re imagining a more purpose‑led future for financial services – and that starts with you. Our success depends on the unique experiences, backgrounds, and talents of our interns.

Principal is an Equal Opportunity Employer

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.

Original Posting Date

9/9/2026

Most Recently Posted Date

9/14/2026

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