Software Engineer III/ Sr. Software Engineer I

Principal Financial Group; Des Moines (IA); Hybrid; USD 95,000 - 138,000; Full time

Job summary

Principal Financial Group in Des Moines, IA is seeking a Software Engineer III or Sr. Software Engineer I to help modernize life and disability claims platforms and customer experiences with next‑gen tech.

You will design and build cloud-native AWS apps, use CDK/CloudFormation, and work with React/Next.js in an Agile team, pairing to deliver high‑quality software and scalable services.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, MIS, Engineering or related field or equivalent experience.
• Experience designing, developing, and supporting cloud-native applications in AWS.
• Experience with infrastructure-as-code (CDK and/or CloudFormation).
• Strong programming skills in TypeScript, Java, and SQL preferred.
• Experience with React and Next.js for modern web apps.
• Experience building serverless/event-driven architectures.
• Familiarity with Agile methodologies (Scrum/Kanban).
• Experience with TDD and quality-first engineering practices.
• Experience with pair programming in collaborative teams.

Responsibilities

• Develop high-quality applications for customers.
• Identify and propose strategies for technical problems affecting the business.
• Collaborate with engineering, architecture, and business partners to improve software.
• Tackle increasingly complex tasks and learn quickly from feedback.
• Solve complex problems to improve customer experience.
• Experiment with new tools to deliver value in agile settings.
• Understand how work fits into larger business strategy.
• Participate in pairing, mobbing, and design sessions.

Skills

TypeScript

Java

SQL

AWS

React

Next.js

Serverless

TDD

Agile

Pair programming

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science / MIS / Engineering

Tools

AWS CDK

AWS CloudFormation

DynamoDB

PostgreSQL

Oracle

GitHub

GitHub Actions

API Gateway

AWS Lambda

S3

Job description

What You\'ll Do

The Workplace Benefits Fulfillment Customer Experience / Claims Intake team is looking for a Software Engineer III or Sr. Software Engineer I to join their team. The team supports customer facing web applications and digital pipelines for customers (employers & employees) to submit Life & Disability claims. This team is focused on modernizing claims operations and customer experiences through the implementation of next-generation technology platforms, process improvements, and large-scale business transformation initiatives.

Here are a few examples of the kinds of things you’ll do:

• Develop high-quality applications for our customers
• Identify and propose strategies around technical problems affecting the business, communicate standards, and get consensus on solutions
• Work closely within your engineering team, architecture, and business partners to resolve how to make our software even better
• Take on tasks of increasing complexity, learn quickly, and make steady progress to make improvements based on partner feedback
• Solve interesting and complex problems to create a positive customer experience
• Experiment with new tools and practices to deliver business value in an agile organization
• Understand how work fits into the larger strategy
• Actively participate with team during pairing, mobbing, and design

Who You Are

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Management Information Systems, Engineering, or related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• Experience designing, developing, and supporting cloud-native applications in AWS environments.
• Experience with infrastructure-as-code development using AWS Cloud Development Kit (CDK) and/or AWS CloudFormation.
• Strong proficiency in one or more programming languages, with experience in TypeScript, Java, and SQL preferred.
• Experience developing modern web applications using React and Next.js frameworks.
• Experience building and supporting serverless applications and event-driven architectures.
• Familiarity with Agile software development methodologies, including Scrum and Kanban.
• Experience with Test-Driven Development (TDD) and quality-first engineering practices.
• Experience working in collaborative engineering environments utilizing pair programming.

Preferred Technical Skills

• AWS Services, AWS Lambda, API Gateway, Amazon S3
• DynamoDB
• SNS/SQS
• AWS CloudFormation and AWS CDK
• PostgreSQL
• Oracle
• GitHub
• GitHub Actions

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)

$95000 - $138000 / year

Salary Details

• Software Engineer III: $95,000 - $112,000 / year
• Sr. Software Engineer I: $120,000 - $138,000 / 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

Work Environment

This role offers in-office and hybrid (blending at least three office days in a typical workweek), in Des Moines, IA. You’ll work with your leader to figure out which option may align best based on several factors.

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

8/18/2026

Most Recently Posted Date

8/18/2026

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