Pension Calculation Automation Analyst I

Principal International

Des Moines (IA)

Hybrid

USD 56,000 - 152,000

Full time

5 days ago
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Benefits offered by this job

Flexible Time Off
Pension Eligible

Job summary

Principal International seeks a Pension Calculation Automation Analyst I to advance DB calculation automation using Excel and Visual Basic. You will analyze, improve, and support desktop tools that underpin defined benefit calculations, aiming to enhance pension customer experience and scalability.

Ideal candidates have 3+ years in DB products and strong Excel/VB skills, with an associate degree or higher in a math/actuarial field. Hybrid work and confidential data handling are part of the role.

Qualifications

  • 3+ years of DB product knowledge.
  • Familiarity with DB pension field.
  • DB calculation experience preferred.
  • Associate degree or higher in math, actuarial science, statistics.

Responsibilities

  • Analyze, create, and fix defects within DB calculation desktop tools.
  • Deliver the solution to production and provide ongoing support for fixes and improvements.
  • Support defined benefit plan onboarding to ensure correct calculation setup.
  • Follow processes, quality standards for deployments and servicing.
  • Perform in-depth quality reviews through testing of tools and outputs.
  • Assist in developing new tools, processes, and solutions for efficiencies.
  • Mentor and train team members on assigned items.

Skills

DB knowledge
Analytical thinking
Problem solving
Communication

Education

Associate degree or higher in math/actuarial/science

Tools

Excel
Visual Basic
Databases

Job description

What You'll Do

As a Pension Calculation Automation Analyst I, you will get the opportunity to complete desktop tool coding primarily within Excel and Visual Basic – related to Defined Benefit (DB) calculation automation to drive pension customer experience, scalability, and mitigate risks for the organization. Use DB calculation experience to provide recommendations for improvements and automation. Serve as an expert for internal and external contacts by providing services and support around data, analytics, and calculation.

Here are a few of things you’ll do:

  • Responsible for analyzing, creating, and fixing defects within DB calculation desktop tools. Deliver the solution to the production environment and provide ongoing support for defects/fixes and internal improvements as necessary.
  • Partner and support defined benefit plan onboarding team to assure that the calculation system can be set up according to specifications and request clarification as necessary when interpreting plan specifications.
  • Follow firm and line of business processes, protocols and quality standards in the development and deployment of solutions for all implementations and ongoing servicing.
  • Perform highly in-depth quality reviews through detailed testing for tools and calculation system output.
  • Raise appropriate issues and potential delays related to desktop tool implementation or fixes.
  • Assist with development of new tools, processes, and solutions to create efficiencies and business outcomes.
  • Assist with mentoring, training, and development of team members on specific items assigned, based upon experience.
Who You Are

  • 3+ years of DB product knowledge.
  • Familiarity within DB pension field required.
  • Calculation system or DB calculation experience preferred.
  • An associate degree or higher in math, actuarial science, statistics, or a similar field is helpful.
  • Understanding of pension administration technology, calculation formulas.
  • Planning, problem solving, analytical, time management decision making, and interpersonal skills required.
  • Strong mathematical, technical, and analytical skills along with keen attention to detail.
  • Strong communication skills across multiple mediums – including both long- and short- form written and verbal formats. Ideally able to illustrate mathematical examples in an easy to digest format.
  • Experience mentoring and developing junior level team members.
  • Ability to interpret sophisticated, detailed plan provisions.
  • Ability to handle a full workload and prioritize.
  • Be a team player and a positive influence in a team environment.
  • Strong proficiency in Excel is required, experience with Visual Basic is preferred.
  • Experience working with databases is preferred.
  • High integrity and discretion to ensure the confidentiality of sensitive client data.
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)

$55800 - $152400 / year
Salary Details

The following levels and locations are examples of market-specific salary ranges across different job levels and geographies. Candidates will be evaluated to determine the appropriate job level based on their skills and experience.

  • Wichita, KS:
    • Pension Calc. Automation Analyst I: $55,800 - $75,600 / year
    • Pension Calc. Automation Analyst II: $69,300 - $94,500 / year
    • Pension Calc. Sr. Analyst: $84,600 - $114,300 / year
  • Des Moines, IA:
    • Pension Calc. Automoation Analyst I: $58,900 - $79,800 / year
    • Pension Calc. Automation Analyst II: $73,150 - $99,750 / year
    • Pension Calc. Automation Sr. Analyst: $89,300 - $120,650 / year
  • Charlotte, NC:
    • Pension Calc. Automation Analyst I: $62,000 - $84,000 / year
    • Pension Calc. Automation Analyst II: $77,000 - $105,000 / year
    • Pension Calc. Automation Sr. Analyst: $94,000 - $127,000 / year
  • Chicago/Minneapolis:
    • Pension Calc. Automation Analyst I: $68,200 - $92,400 / year
    • Pension Calc. Automation Analyst II: $84,700 - $115,500 / year
    • Pension Calc. Automation Sr. Analyst: $103,400 - $139,700 / year
  • Los Angeles/New York City:
    • Pension Calc. Automation Analyst I: $74,400 - $100,800 / year
    • Pension Calc. Automation Analyst II: $92,400 - $126,000 / year
    • Pension Calc. Automation Sr. Analyst: $112,800 - $152,400 / year
Time Off Program

Flexible Time Off (FTO) is provided to salaried (exempt) employees and provides the opportunity to take time away from the office with pay for vacation, personal or short-term illness. Employees don’t accrue a bank of time off under FTO and there is no set number of days provided.
Pension Eligible

Yes
Job Level

We're open to hiring in at the next level with the right skills and experience.

Pension Calculation Automation Analyst II
  • 5+ years of DB or pension risk transfer product knowledge.
  • Familiarity with DB or pension risk transfer field required.
  • Calculation system or DB/pension risk transfer calculation experience preferred.
  • An associate degree or higher in math, actuarial science, statistics, or a similar field is preferred.
  • Understanding of pension administration technology and calculation formulas.
  • Strong proficiency in Excel is required, experience with Visual Basic is highly preferred.
Pension Calculation Automation Sr Analyst
  • 6+ years of DB or pension risk transfer product knowledge.
  • Familiarity with DBor pension risk transfer field required.
  • Calculation system or DB/pension risk transfer calculation experience preferred.
  • An associate degree or higher in math, actuarial science, statistics, or a similar field is preferred.
  • Strong understanding of pension administration technology, including interaction of data and system programming.
  • Must have the ability to understand end-to end processes and dependencies along with basic systems configuration.
  • Strong proficiency in Excel is required, experience with Visual Basic is highly preferred.
Work Environments

This role offers in-office, hybrid (blending at least three office days in a typical workweek), and remote work arrangements (only if residing more than 30 miles from Des Moines, IA, or Charlotte, NC).

Work Authorization/Sponsorship

At this time, we're not considering candidates that need any type of immigration sponsorship now or in the future or those needing work authorization for this role. (This includes, but is not limited to students on F1-OPT, F1-CPT, J-1, etc.)

Investment Code of Ethics

For Principal Global Investors 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 employees. And we support our employees the same way we support our customers: with comprehensive, competitive benefit offerings crafted to protect their physical, financial, and social well-being. Check out our careers site to learn more about our purpose, values and benefits.

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

11/9/2026
Most Recently Posted Date

11/9/2026

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.

LinkedIn Remote Hashtag

  • #LI-Remote
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