Data Engineer (Python, AWS, Snowflake)

What You'll Do:

We're looking for an experienced Data Engineer to join our newly established team within the Benefits & Protection Data Analytics Technology organization in Sales Comp Administration within our Distribution product family. This team supports our business by delivering services and solutions that empower data producers to contribute effortlessly and enable data consumers to discover, request, and access consistent, governed, high-quality, and secure data. These efforts aim to meet analytical, business intelligence, and operational needs seamlessly. 

Operating within an agile framework, we focus on regular, fully managed deployments. This role offers a unique opportunity to shape both the process and the final outcomes while collaborating with a high performing community of data engineers and analytics professionals. 

You'll Have the Opportunity to: 

• Gain a deep understanding of business needs and translate that knowledge into building data-driven solutions while maintaining an enterprise and engineering mindset 

• Design and develop curated data products in our cloud environment using native AWS services and Snowflake 

• Build efficient, reusable data pipelines for serving and monitoring models 

• Recommend and implement improvements for data reliability, efficiency, and quality 

• Provide technical guidance and mentoring to team members, particularly on data management process designs, models, enterprise patterns, while influencing program direction 

• Shape data acquisition strategies and guide others by establishing policies, best practices, and patterns 

• Balance trade-offs between technical, analytical, and product requirements to deliver well-rounded solutions 

• Support ongoing maintenance, enhancements, and transition initiatives for legacy platforms 

• Stay current with industry trends to influence team direction and strategy 
• This role will involve significant collaboration with global resources, requiring the ability to build strong partnerships and effectively navigate cross-functional teams.
• This role is not a formal leadership position but demonstrated informal leadership—such as coaching others, leading by example, and driving results—will be recognized and may position the candidate well for future opportunities.

 

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:

• Bachelor's degree plus 4 - 6 years of experience as a data engineer 

• In depth experience working in Python, Typescript, and similar object-oriented programming languages in an enterprise environment 

• Experience working with AWS, GitHub, and Snowflake 

• Experience building/operating systems for data extraction, ingestion and processing of large data sets 

• Expertise in modern data modeling techniques and data structures 

• Experience with ETL/ELT concepts and Dev Ops practices (TDD, CI/CD and pair programming) 

• Experience optimizing data for analytics 

• Demonstrated experience in data management practices (data profiling, quality management, Master Data Management) 

• Experience building data products incrementally and integrating datasets from multiple sources 

• Excellent communication skills with ability to present strategies and designs to all levels of the company 

• Strong planning, organizational, and problem-solving capabilities 

• Ability to maintain a high degree of accuracy and confidentiality 

• May be required to provide on-call support 

 

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: $91000 - $158400 / 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 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, Raleigh, NC, or Charlotte, NC). You’ll work with your leader to figure out which option may align best based on several factors. 

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.

Date First Posted (TTF): 9/24/2025 Latest Post Date: Careers - US: 10/10/2025

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Principal Financial Group, Inc. provides financial products and services to businesses, individuals, and institutional clients. The Company offers retirement solutions, life and health insurance, wellness programs, and investment and banking products.