Junior Software Engineer Jobs in Waukee, IA (NOW HIRING)

What You'll Do
We're looking for a Software Engineer to join our Experience Solutions technology team within Workplace Savings & Retirement Solutions (WSRS). You'll work on a variety of technologies including APIs, event-driven architectures and React web applications in AWS along with some Java based applications. You'll collaborate closely with experienced engineers and product partners while growing your technical skills in a modern, Agile environment.
You'll have the opportunity to:

• Collaborate with engineers, architects, and business partners to build high-quality, customer-facing front-end applications that drive meaningful business outcomes
• Own features end to end, from technical design and implementation through testing, deployment, and ongoing maintenance
• Solve increasingly complex problems that improve customer experience, platform scalability, and system performance
• Take on work of growing complexity, learning quickly, incorporating feedback, and continuously improving the quality of your solutions
• Participate actively in pairing, mob programming, and design discussions, learning from teammates while strengthening overall team outcomes
• Contribute to technical design and build deep expertise in at least one area of the front-end codebase, with mentorship and guidance
• Use AI-assisted development tools (e.g., GitHub Copilot) to improve productivity, testing, and code quality
• Follow established engineering, security, and quality standards while experimenting with new tools, practices, and industry trends

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!
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.
Who You Are

• Associate's or bachelor's degree (preference in a computer science, technology, engineering or math-related field or equivalent experience) or equivalent experience
• 2+ years engineering experience, ideally with full stack exposure
• Experience building user interfaces using React or similar JavaScript frameworks
• Experience with API or event-driven applications in TypeScript or Java
• Excellent planning, organizational, problem-solving, analytical, decision-making and communication skills
• Must have the desire to learn new technology and continuously grow

Skills That Will Help You Stand Out

• Hands-on experience working with cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, Azure)
• Experience with Typescript, React, and Next.js
• Experience working on customer-facing web platforms or large-scale content sites
• Curiosity about system design, decoupling, and modern architecture patterns
• Using AI tools, GitHub Copilot, etc.

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
$77000 - $127000 / 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 II: $77,000 - $105,000 / year
• Software Engineer III: $94,000 - $127,000 / 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 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.
Job Level
We'll consider talent at the next level, Software Engineer III, with the right experience and skills.
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)
8/10/2026
Latest Post Date: Careers - US
8/10/2026
LinkedIn Hashtag
#LI-EW1