Director of Engineering, AI Enablement

We’re looking for a Director of Engineering to join our Enterprise AI Enablement team. In this role, you’ll lead the strategy and execution of the common AI platforms that power AI across the entire company, shaping how teams build, scale, and deliver AI solutions at Principal.

You'll have the opportunity to:

• Lead engineering teams focused on AI infrastructure, model operations, agent and platform enablement, and agent lifecycle capabilities (design, orchestration, deployment, and monitoring), driving clarity, alignment, and execution across a highly collaborative organization
• Define and deliver the technical direction for enterprise AI platforms, including LLM, chatbot, and agent-based systems used by teams across Principal
• Partner closely with product management to build and execute roadmaps that align to enterprise AI strategy and business priorities
• Drive execution discipline and delivery outcomes within an experimentation-heavy environment by bringing structure, prioritization, and timelines to innovative work
• Shape and advance enterprise AI enablement efforts, ensuring scalable, secure, and reusable platform capabilities
• Lead a globally distributed team, setting direction and fostering strong collaboration across regions
• Build, mentor, and develop engineering leaders and teams, improving on performance, accountability, and technical excellence
• Act as a key technology leader, influencing decisions and advocating for modern, resilient AI infrastructure practices across the organization

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!

• Bachelor's degree (preference in computer sciences, information systems, business administration) or equivalent
• 10+ years of enterprise-level technical experience, demonstrating progressive responsibility and impact
• Experience driving delivery and execution—bringing focus, direction, and accountability to complex, evolving environments
• Formal people leadership experience with the ability to guide teams through both strategy and hands-on execution
• Strong collaborator who can partner across engineering, product, and business teams to influence outcomes and align to enterprise strategy
• Effective communicator who can translate between technical concepts and business priorities

Skills That Will Help You Stand Out

• Experience building or supporting AI/ML platforms, LLMs, or AI enablement infrastructure
• 6+ years of technology leadership managing and mentoring direct reports; proven ability to build strong teams and a culture of accountability
• Experience leading in global or distributed team environments
• Background working in a regulated industry (e.g., financial services)
• Familiarity with platform engineering, model operations, or enterprise-scale AI systems

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, Charlotte, NC or Raleigh, 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 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.

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