Software Engineer I

What You'll Do

We are looking for a Software Engineer I to join our Benefits & Protection (B&P) area. In this role, you’ll build your engineering skills while contributing to an agile team and software that solves real business problems. You’ll work alongside senior engineers, product owners, and scrum team members to design, build, test, and support solutions.

You’ll take on well-defined development work, participate in sprint ceremonies, write clean and tested code, and learn through solving new technical challenges. Along the way, you’ll collaborate across teams, build strong partnerships, and benefit from mentorship and code reviews from experienced engineers as you grow your technical depth and ability to deliver high-quality software.

Who You Are

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Systems, or a related field, or equivalent experience (internships, bootcamp, or substantial personal projects).
• Working proficiency in at least one modern programming language (e.g., Java, JavaScript/TypeScript, Python, C#).
• Understanding of programming fundamentals: data structures, algorithms, and object-oriented principles.
• Ability to write, run, and debug code, and to read and understand code written by others.
• Experience with Git
• Basic understanding of the software development lifecycle and agile practices.
• Basic knowledge of web fundamentals: HTTP, REST APIs, and client/server concepts.
• Familiarity with relational databases and SQL basics.
• Strong written and verbal communication, including asking questions, explaining your work, and reaching out to people across teams.
• Self-motivation and resourcefulness: you can research and work through unfamiliar problems, and you know when to ask for help.
• Curiosity about the business and a willingness to learn the domain.

Skills that will help you stand out:

• Familiarity with React, TypeScript/JavaScript, Node.js, Java, and GraphQL
• Exposure to AWS services, including Lambda, S3, DynamoDB, and API Gateway
• Experience with TDD, unit testing, and integration testing
• Familiarity with CI/CD practices and tools
• Experience working within an Agile or Scrum team
• Development experience through internships, co-ops, open-source work, coursework, or personal projects
• Exposure to the insurance or financial services industry

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

$55800 - $75000 / 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

Additional Information

Work Environment

This role is located in our Des Moines office. We offer a hybrid work arrangement with 3-days in the office and 2-days remotely.

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.)

Nonimmigrant Workers and Green Card for Employment-Based Immigrants

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.

Date First Posted (TTF)

10/29/2026

Latest Post Date: Careers - US

10/29/2026