Sr Software Engineer II (Platform Modernization Solution Design)

Principal Financial Services, Inc.; Iowa (LA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible Time Off (FTO)

Pension Eligible

Job summary

Principal Financial Services, Inc. is seeking a Senior Software Engineer to lead architectural efforts in modernizing their retirement recordkeeping platform. This role involves driving innovation and creating robust technical solutions in a collaborative environment.

Ideal candidates will have 8+ years of engineering experience and strong communication skills. Responsibilities include mentoring, guiding architectural decisions, and working with stakeholders to align technology with business objectives.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of enterprise-level engineering experience.
• Informal team leadership experience and mentoring.
• Excellent communication and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide architectural oversight for modernization efforts.
• Drive technological innovation and assess emerging technologies.
• Create and maintain architecture artifacts and roadmaps.

Skills

Cloud platforms (e.g. AWS)

Solution architecture

System design

Education

Associate's or bachelor's degree in computer science, technology, engineering or math-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 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)

$130000 - $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

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 and 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.

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.

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.