What You'll Do
We’re looking for an Assistant Director of Engineering to join our Enterprise Data & Analytics team! In this role, you'll lead a multidisciplinary team of data engineers, data governance analysts, and data quality professionals driving one of Principal’s strategic initiatives to advance the use of data and AI across our global enterprise.
You’ll have a part in maturing our AI and data foundations, strengthening our governance frameworks, and elevating the visibility, accessibility, and quality of the data that powers decision‑making across the organization. Your team will lead essential capabilities such as metadata management, data cataloging, data lineage, and data quality monitoring to ensure trusted, well-governed data is available at scale.
This role is ideal for a leader with a strong data engineering background, exceptional soft skills, and the ability to influence teams.
You’ll have the opportunity to:
- Lead and mentor high-performing data engineering, data governance analyst and data quality team members, encouraging a collaborative and innovative environment to deliver high-quality, scalable processes and solutions in alignment with the enterprise framework
- Advance enterprise capabilities in metadata management, data cataloging, data lineage, and data quality, ensuring trusted, well-governed data for AI and analytics
- Serve as a technical lead for data quality and governance products that are supported with a global team
- Strengthen the organization’s data foundation by driving consistent data definitions, taxonomy, quality, and standards that enable scalable data sharing and AI maturity
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
- Bachelor's degree (preference in a computer science, technology, engineering or math-related field) or equivalent experience
- 8+ years of relevant technical experience
- 4+ years of leadership experience preferred
- Excellent leadership, problem solving, analytical, and decision making skills
- Deep knowledge of data engineering, metadata management/data cataloging, data quality, AI, and master data management concepts
- Skilled in collaborating with a variety of partners, including outside consultants and vendors, with ability to influence others without formal authority
- Strong skills in communicating with all levels of the organization and easily translating complex topics for others to understand
Skills That Will Help You Stand Out
- Experience with direct people leadership; passionate about developing others as well as continuing to learn and build your own skills
- Experience with data quality and data catalog tooling
- Ability to learn new systems and integration patterns, including cloud platforms
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 (Non-Exempt expressed as hourly; Exempt expressed as yearly)
$141000 - $185000 / 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
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.
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.
Original Posting Date
1/20/2026
Most Recently Posted Date
1/20/2026
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