Senior Software Engineer II, Platform Modernization Technology Enablement

Principal Financial Group; Des Moines (IA); Hybrid; USD 130,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus opportunities

Flexible Time Off

Pension plan

Hybrid/Remote options

Job summary

Principal Financial Group in Des Moines invites a Senior Software Engineer II to join the Retirement & Income Solutions modernization effort. You will design, build, and scale enterprise integrations, partnering with cross-functional teams in a cloud-native AWS environment.

The role combines hands-on engineering with informal leadership, mentoring teammates and shaping patterns used across RIS. Flexible in-office/hybrid arrangements with options for remote work for eligible applicants.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of enterprise engineering experience with increasing scope and technical influence.
• Deep experience building solutions on AWS with a strong working knowledge of core services.
• Experience in matrixed, highly collaborative environments, partnering across teams and disciplines.
• Informal team leadership experience, mentoring, and providing strategic direction.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and evolve enterprise integration patterns leveraging APIs, events, and messaging to support the RIS modernization effort.
• Partner closely with enterprise teams to enable scalable integrations using AWS-native services such as EventBridge, SQS, Lambda, and ECS/EKS.
• Develop reusable, composable CDK constructs that can be adopted consistently across teams.
• Provide technical direction, informal leadership, and mentoring while remaining hands-on in engineering activities.
• Translate complex business and modernization needs into practical, repeatable engineering solutions.
• Contribute to architectural discussions with a strong engineering lens, understanding design intent and implementation trade-offs.
• Help shape how integration capabilities are delivered at scale across RIS and the broader organization.

Skills

Enterprise engineering leadership

Strong communication

Mentoring

Problem-solving

Education

Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in CS/Engineering

Tools

AWS core services

TypeScript

CDK (Cloud Development Kit)

API/Event/Messaging patterns

Job description

Overview

Senior Software Engineer II – Retirement & Income Solutions (RIS) Principal is a purpose‑led firm committed to making financial security accessible to all. The RIS modernization initiative involves building cloud‑native, scalable integration solutions that support financial services across the organization.

Role Overview

The role is part of a newly formed engineering enablement team where you will help define, build, and scale enterprise integration patterns used broadly across RIS.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and evolve enterprise integration patterns leveraging APIs, events, and messaging to support the RIS modernization effort.
• Partner closely with enterprise teams to enable scalable integrations using AWS‑native services such as EventBridge, SQS, Lambda, and ECS/EKS.
• Develop reusable, composable CDK constructs that can be adopted consistently across teams.
• Provide technical direction, informal leadership, and mentoring while remaining hands‑on in engineering activities.
• Translate complex business and modernization needs into practical, repeatable engineering solutions.
• Contribute to architectural discussions with a strong engineering lens, understanding design intent and implementation trade‑offs.
• Help shape how integration capabilities are delivered at scale across RIS and the broader organization.

Qualifications

• Associate’s or bachelor’s degree in computer science, technology, engineering, mathematics, or equivalent experience.
• 8+ years of enterprise engineering experience with increasing scope and technical influence.
• Deep experience building solutions on AWS with a strong working knowledge of core services.
• Experience in matrixed, highly collaborative environments, partnering across teams and disciplines.
• Informal team leadership experience, mentoring, and providing strategic direction.
• Excellent communication and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to work through complex technical challenges.

Desired Skills

• Experience designing and implementing enterprise integrations using APIs, events, files, and messaging.
• Proficiency with TypeScript or a similar modern language.
• Hands‑on experience creating Level 2 and Level 3 AWS constructs or similar reusable cloud patterns.
• Familiarity with Domain‑Driven Design (DDD) concepts and application patterns.
• Experience with AI and agentic AI solutions in modern cloud environments.
• A track record of contributing to modernization efforts while maintaining reliability and continuity.

Benefits

• Targeted base salary: $130,000 – $170,000 per year (non‑exempt expressed hourly; exempt expressed yearly).
• Bonus and incentive opportunities for eligible positions.
• Flexible Time Off (FTO) for salaried employees, including paid vacation and short‑term illness.
• Eligible for pension (subject to plan terms).
• Hours: expected start at 7:30 am Central Time to support collaboration across teams.
• Work arrangements: in‑office, hybrid (at least three office days per week), or remote (if residing > 30 miles from Des Moines, IA, or Charlotte, NC).

Equal Opportunity Employer

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.

Work Authorization

Principal is not considering applicants that require immigration sponsorship now or in the future to work in the United States.