Intern - Investment Solutions (Summer 2027)

Principal International; Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 23,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

Principal Asset Management invites bright undergraduates to join its Investment Solutions Team in Des Moines for Summer 2027. You will learn LDI concepts, design client reports, and leverage AI tools to enhance investment analysis and reporting.

The role emphasizes automation and scalable analytics within a Fortune 500 environment. You will contribute to portfolio construction, risk management, and support data integration across systems while gaining exposure to OCIO and asset allocation

Qualifications

• Working towards a Bachelor's degree in financial mathematics, accounting, finance, economics, or a related major.
• Completion of intermediate coursework in finance.
• Exposure to investment concepts through student activities or internships.
• Previous work/intern experience in asset management or financial services is a plus.
• Ability to work onsite full-time in Des Moines during Summer 2027.

Responsibilities

• Learn Liability-Driven Investment concepts and assist in developing investment solutions.
• Design client-facing reports and presentations.
• Use investment tools to generate data for client materials.
• Gain exposure to investment solution design and delivery to clients.
• Optimize structuring and reporting processes.
• Develop and apply AI agents to enhance analysis and workflows.
• Identify opportunities to automate and redesign processes.
• Support scalable analytical frameworks for asset allocation, OCIO, LDI, and derivatives.
• Contribute to dashboards, knowledge bases, and decision-support tools.
• Evaluate AI outputs for accuracy and investment suitability.
• Assist with portfolio construction, risk management, and workflow optimization.
• Integrate data from multiple investment systems to improve efficiency.

Skills

Financial mathematics

Finance

Economics

Communication

AI tools

Python

Data analytics

Dashboards

Education

Bachelor's degree in financial mathematics, accounting, finance, economics, or related major

Tools

Microsoft Copilot

Copilot Studio

ChatGPT

Claude

Gemini

Python

Job description

What You'll Do

We’re looking for a summer intern to join our Investment Solutions Team in Principal Asset Management for Summer 2027! In this role, you’ll be responsible for assisting the team in various investment-related functions. The intern will:

• Learn Liability-Driven Investment (LDI) concepts and contribute to the development and implementation of sophisticated investment solutions
• Design client-facing reports and presentations
• Use advanced investment tools to generate data for client-facing material
• Gain exposure to investment solution design and delivery of that solution to a client or prospect
• Optimize existing structuring and reporting processes
• Develop and apply AI agents to enhance investment analysis, research, reporting, knowledge management, and team workflows
• Identify opportunities to improve analytical, structuring, and reporting processes through automation and process redesign
• Assist in developing scalable analytical frameworks supporting strategic asset allocation, OCIO, LDI, and derivative-based investment solutions
• Support the creation of investment dashboards, knowledge repositories, and decision-support tools used by investment professionals
• Evaluate AI-generated analyses and outputs for accuracy, consistency, and investment suitability
• Contribute to projects involving portfolio construction, risk management, investment strategy, and workflow optimization
• Assist with integrating data from multiple investment systems and sources to improve analytical efficiency and scalability

Principal Asset Management's Investment Solutions team develops customized, outcome-oriented investment strategies for institutional and wealth clients worldwide. The team specializes in Liability Driven Investing (LDI), Outsourced Chief Investment Officer (OCIO) solutions, strategic asset allocation, derivatives-based strategies, portfolio construction, and investment risk management.

In addition to delivering customized investment solutions, the team is focused on advancing analytical capabilities, process innovation, and AI-enabled tools that enhance decision-making, improve efficiency, and support scalable investment excellence.

Principal Asset Management, a subsidiary of Principal Financial group, offers global asset management expertise across a diverse set of traditional and alternative asset classes. Our mission, integrity, and customer focus have made us a trusted leader for more than 140 years! Check us out at www.principalam.com.

Who You Are

• Working towards a Bachelors degree in financial mathematics, accounting, finance, economics, or a related major
• Completion of intermediate level coursework in finance
• Additional exposure to investment concepts through involvement in student organizations or work/intern experiences
• Ideally has previous work/intern experience in asset management or related financial services field
• Ability to work onsite, full time in Des Moines over the summer of 2027

Skills That Will Help You Stand Out

• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to present ideas clearly and confidently to both technical and non-technical audiences
• Strong interest in strategic asset allocation, fixed income markets, derivatives, institutional investing, pension risk management, or OCIO solutions
• You preferably have a 3.5 GPA or higher and/or working towards a CFA charter
• Experience using Microsoft Copilot, Copilot Studio, ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, or similar AI platforms
• Experience building AI agents, copilots, automations, workflow solutions, or analytical tools is highly desirable
• Familiarity with Python, APIs, data analytics, dashboard development, workflow automation, or related technologies
• Demonstrated ability to translate complex analytical findings into concise recommendations for technical and non-technical audiences.
• Curiosity regarding governance, controls, model risk, and responsible implementation of AI-enabled solutions
• Ability to identify process inefficiencies and develop scalable solutions to improve team effectiveness
• Demonstrated interest in long-term professional development within asset management, institutional consulting, portfolio management, OCIO, investment strategy, or asset allocation
• Demonstrated commitment to a career in investment management through academic achievement, investment research, student investment organizations, internships, or related experiences
• Candidates pursuing or intending to pursue the CFA designation are strongly encouraged to apply
• Progress toward the CFA Program or demonstrated familiarity with CFA curriculum concepts will be viewed favorably

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)

$29 - $29 / hour

Time Off Program

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

Pension Eligible

No

Location(s)

This internship will be located at our global headquarters in Des Moines, IA. Check out what our global headquarters looks like here: https://www.principal.com/about-us/careers/internships

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! https://www.principal.com/about-us/careers/internships

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.

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.

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.

Posting Window

We will accept applications for 3 full days following the Original Posting Date, after which the posting may remain open or be removed based upon applications received. If we choose to post the job again, we will accept additional applications for at least 1 full day following the Most Recently Posted Date. Please submit applications in a timely manner as there is no guarantee the posting will be available beyond the applicable deadline.

Original Posting Date

10/16/2026

Most Recently Posted Date

10/16/2026

Principal uses artificial intelligence tools to assist in reviewing and evaluating job applications, fraud prevention, and candidate matching and comparisons. These AI tools support our human recruiters in the initial review process but do not make final hiring decisions without human involvement. By submitting your application, you acknowledge this use of AI in our recruitment process. Please review our Workforce (U.S.) Privacy Notice for more details on our practices and your data privacy rights.