Java Software Engineer Contract Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

What You'll Do
We're looking for an Experienced Software Engineer to join our Retirement & Income Solutions (RIS) business. In this role, you'll contribute to the modernization of our retirement platforms by building scalable services, enabling complex system integrations, and delivering high-quality solutions that support our long-term technology strategy.
You will work within a highly integrated ecosystem that includes internal platforms, external solutions, and SaaS enterprise platforms requiring strong engineering fundamentals and a focus on reliable, well-defined system interactions.
You'll have the opportunity to:

• Design, build, and support scalable, reliable, and performant applications that enable core business capabilities
• Develop and maintain integrations across APIs, file-based interfaces, and batch processing patterns
• Collaborate with internal teams and external partners to ensure systems integrate effectively and meet shared objectives
• Contribute to platform modernization efforts by building new capabilities and enabling connectivity across evolving systems
• Participate in technical design discussions, helping define interface contracts, data exchanges, and integration patterns
• Make well-reasoned technical decisions by evaluating tradeoffs across performance, scalability, and maintainability
• Ensure solutions meet non-functional requirements such as performance, security, scalability, and resiliency
• Advocate for engineering best practices, including code quality, automated testing, and delivery discipline
• Troubleshoot integration and production issues, with a focus on reliability, traceability, and operational stability
• Take ownership of features of increasing complexity, driving them from design through delivery in collaboration with the team
• Work cross-functionally to deliver outcomes in a fast-paced, evolving environment

Who You Are

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree with a preference in a science, technology, engineering, or math related field or equivalent work experience
• 3+ years of professional software development experience
• 2+ years of AWS experience is required.
• 2+ years of vendor integration experience is required.
• Must have the desire to learn new technology and continuously grow.
• Ability to work on cross-functional teams and collaborate with both IT and non-IT partners
• May be required to provide on-call support

Preferred technical experience:

• Python and Java
• Enterprise level configure and code SaaS platforms (Salesforce, ServiceNow, IBM Business Automation Workflow, or equivalent)

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
$95000 - $138000 / year
Salary Details
The following salary ranges reflect market-specific compensation for this position across multiple job levels. Candidates will be evaluated to determine the appropriate job level based on their skills and experience.

• Software Engineer III: $95,000 - $112,000 / year
• Sr. Software Engineer I: $120,000 - $138,000 / 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 the ability for in-office and hybrid (blending at least three office days in a typical workweek) work arrangements in Des Moines, IA, Charlotte, NC, or Raleigh, NC locations. There is an expectation for this role to work on site at least 3 days a week.
Job Level
We'll consider talent at the Software Engineer III or Sr. Software Engineer I level with the right experience and skills.
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)
7/22/2026
Latest Post Date: Careers - US
7/22/2026
LinkedIn Hashtag
#LI-EW1