Senior Software Engineer, Ruby on Rails

Principal Financial Group; Des Moines, Raleigh, Charlotte (IA, NC, NC); Hybrid; USD 115,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension Eligible

Job summary

Principal Financial Group is seeking a Senior Software Engineer to lead the invoicing capabilities of our insurance platform. You will architect scalable systems for enrollment, commissions, and billing across insurance products while modernizing how our team builds software.

You will work with product managers, designers, and engineers to refine requirements, balance trade‑offs, and deliver prioritized roadmaps.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of enterprise level engineering experience
• Experience with AWS cloud-based technology
• Experience with AI, generative AI, or agentic AI technologies and their practical application within software products
• Experience creating solution architectures and building applications using Ruby on Rails

Responsibilities

• Own the design and development of scalable software solutions across the full development lifecycle
• Build and enhance applications using Ruby on Rails and AWS, exploring AI integrations
• Partner with product and design teams to refine requirements and deliver prioritized roadmap initiatives
• Provide senior technical leadership by guiding architectural decisions, code reviews, and mentoring engineers
• Own software quality through automated testing, CI/CD pipelines, and secure coding practices

Skills

Leadership

Mentoring

Communication

Collaboration

Education

Associate’s or bachelor’s degree in CS/related field

Tools

Ruby on Rails

AWS

Python

Job description

What You’ll Do

We’re looking for a Senior Software Engineer to join our insurance technology team! This is a hands‑on leadership-by-example role for an engineer who cares about building software that makes a real difference. You’ll lead the build and enhancements for the invoicing capabilities of an insurance platform that supports enrollment, commissions, and billing across insurance products. You’ll architect systems that simplify benefits access while aggressively modernizing how our team builds software.

You’ll have the opportunity to:

• Own the design and development of scalable software solutions, contributing across the full development lifecycle from requirements and solution architecture through testing and production
• Build and enhance applications using Ruby on Rails and AWS, while helping the team identify meaningful opportunities to incorporate AI and agentic AI capabilities
• Partner closely with product managers, designers, engineers, and other stakeholders to refine requirements, evaluate technical and product trade‑offs, and deliver prioritized roadmap initiatives
• Provide senior level technical leadership by establishing development approaches, influencing architectural decisions, reviewing code, mentoring engineers, and helping the team solve complex technical problems
• Own software quality through automated testing, peer code reviews, performance planning, secure coding practices, and reliable CI/CD pipelines
• Deliver software predictably by developing accurate estimates, communicating progress and risks, and taking accountability for moving projects from requirements through production
• Stay current with emerging technologies and industry trends, recommend improvements, and help ensure solutions remain secure, scalable, maintainable, and aligned with regulatory requirements

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.

As Principal continues to modernize its systems, this role will offer you an exciting opportunity to build solutions that will directly impact our long‑term strategy and tech stack, all while ensuring that our products are robust, scalable, and secure!

Who You Are

• Associate’s or bachelor’s degree (preference in a computer science, technology, engineering or math-related field) or equivalent experience
• 6+ years of enterprise level engineering experience, designing, developing, testing, and supporting software applications
• Experience working with AWS cloud-based technology
• Experience with AI, generative AI, or agentic AI technologies and their practical application within software products
• Experience creating solution architectures and building applications using Ruby on Rails
• Ability to break down complex problems, reduce ambiguity, and drive solutions forward
• Strong collaboration skills and experience working across product, engineering, and business teams
• Committed to continuous learning and enjoy helping other engineers grow through coaching, mentoring, and knowledge sharing
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to translate technical concepts clearly to business stakeholders and translate business objectives into actionable technical solutions

Skills That Will Help You Stand Out

• Experience with Python, automated testing, peer code reviews, and CI/CD practices
• Experience within insurance, financial services, or another regulated industry
• Passion for mentoring others and contributing to a strong engineering culture

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)

$115000 - $170000 / 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’ll consider talent at the next level (Senior Software Engineer II) with the right experience and skills. The salary ranges above reflect both levels ranges. The posted salary range represents the full range across both the Senior Software Engineer I and Senior Software Engineer II levels.

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). You’ll work with your leader to figure out which option may align best based on several factors.

Our Engineering Culture

Through our product-driven Agile/Lean DevOps environment, we’ve fostered a culture of innovation and experimentation across our development teams. As a customer-focused organization, we work closely with our end users and product owners to understand and rapidly respond to emerging business needs.

Collaboration is embedded into everything we do – from the products we develop to the quality service we provide. We’re driven by the belief that diversity of thought, background, and perspective is critical to creating the best products and experiences for our customers.

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

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 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

10/2/2026

Most Recently Posted Date

10/2/2026

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.