Sr Software Engineer II (Platform Modernization Solution Design)

Principal Financial Group; Raleigh, Charlotte, Des Moines (NC, NC, IA); On-site; USD 123,000 - 167,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible Time Off

Pension eligibility

Comprehensive benefits

Job summary

A leading financial services firm in Iowa is seeking an experienced Senior Software Engineer to lead the modernization of retirement solutions. In this role, you'll design scalable architectures, mentor an engineering team, and assess emerging technologies. Ideal candidates should have 8+ years of engineering experience, with strong problem-solving skills and a background in cloud platforms like AWS. The position offers both in-office and hybrid work arrangements, competitively compensated with a range of $123,000 to $167,000 per year.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of enterprise-level engineering experience.
• Experience in a collaborative matrix environment.
• Informal leadership experience mentoring a team.

Responsibilities

• Lead architectural oversight for system modernization.
• Create and maintain solution architecture artifacts.
• Champion an engineering team fostering innovation.

Skills

Cloud platforms experience (e.g. AWS)

Solution architecture

Modernization ability while maintaining continuity

Education

Associate’s or bachelor’s degree in a related field

Job description

What You’ll Do

We’re looking for a Senior Software Engineer to join our Retirement & Income Solutions (RIS) business. In this role, you’ll be an engineering lead providing architectural oversight for the modernization of our retirement recordkeeping platform by designing scalable solutions, guiding architectural decisions, and ensuring the successful delivery of mission-critical initiatives that shape the future of our retirement solutions.

You’ll have the opportunity to:

• Drive technological innovation by identifying strategic opportunities that deliver maximum business impact in our fast-paced environment
• Assess emerging technologies and provide guidance on technical direction, ensuring alignment with enterprise-wide strategic initiatives
• Create and maintain solution architecture artifacts, reference architectures, and technical roadmaps that guide implementation teams
• Partner with key stakeholders to transform business objectives into robust technical solutions, while effectively bridging communication between technical and non-technical teams
• Shape product strategy and establish compelling technical vision through active participation in enterprise-level programs
• Champion an exceptional engineering team by fostering innovation, mentoring talent, and supporting a results-driven culture founded on trust and accountability

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
• 8+ years of enterprise-level engineering experience, demonstrating progressive responsibility and impact
• Experience working on in a collaborative matrixed environment
• Informal team leadership experience, mentoring and providing strategic direction to a team
• Excellent communication and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to work through complex technical challenges

Skills That Will Help You Stand Out

• Experience with cloud platforms (e.g. AWS)
• Proven track record in solution architecture and system design
• Demonstrated ability to modernize while maintaining business continuity

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)

$123000 - $167000 / 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 Environments

This role offers an in‑office and hybrid (blending at least three office days in a typical workweek) work arrangement in Des Moines, IA or Charlotte, NC.

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 (https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united‑states/temporary-nonimmigrant-workers) and Green Card for Employment-Based Immigrants (https://www.uscis.gov/green‑card/green‑card‑eligibility/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 (https://www.principal.com/about‑us/careers) 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.