Software Engineer Leader (Des Moines, IA or Charlotte, NC)

What You'll Do

We're looking for a Senior Software Engineer to join our WSRS technology team. In this role, you'll be a key player and leader in strategically shaping our technological future from innovative customer experiences to robust core systems. We want your leadership skills and expertise in utilizing technology to drive operational efficiency and business growth. You will have the opportunity to :

Lead and mentor high-performing software engineers, fostering a collaborative and innovative environment to deliver high-quality, scalable solutions.

Shape our technology strategy by collaborating across scrum teams to champion a unified and consistent approach to software engineering, ensuring efficiency and quality while pioneering the latest techniques.

Lead the way in decision-making, providing the tools and data insights needed to ensure our systems continue to support critical business outcomes.

Be the trailblazer who carves innovative pathways, not just to overcome challenges, but to significantly raise the bar, leaving a lasting positive impact.

Delivering solutions with a future and reusable mindset, and not just short-term delivery.

Partner with global engineering teams to ensure effective collaboration and knowledge sharing.

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) and 6+ years work experience or equivalent experience

Excel at bridging the gap between IT and non-IT partners, using your interpersonal skills to facilitate effective communication and ensure alignment on project goals and objectives

Experience managing engineering teams with accountability for hiring, onboarding, career development, and HR-related responsibilities in addition to technical leadership.

People leader who enjoys developing others as well as continuing to learn and build own skills

Ability to work on cross-functional teams and collaborate with both It and non-IT partners

Skills That Will Help You Stand Out

• Experience leading modernization efforts

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)

$100800 - $152000 / 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

Location(s)

Des Moines, IA or Charlotte, NC

Work Environments

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

Job Level

We'll consider talent at the next level with the right experiences and skills.

Hours

This role will partner with our global teams and has an expectation for flexibility in your work schedule. Hours may start at 7 : 00 a.m.

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.

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

9 / 18 / 2025

Most Recently Posted Date

9 / 18 / 2025

LinkedIn Hashtag

#LI-EW1