Software Engineer Intern

What You'll Do

Our Technology & Engineering internship program offers opportunities for 100+ interns and has a strong reputation with over 20 years of history. You’ll work on real projects collaborating with a range of team members from other interns through senior level management. We'll place you in a role customized to your expertise and interests all while working in an Agile team environment. You'll be assigned a formal leader and mentor to help guide you through the program. This is an excellent opportunity to understand and learn more about Principal’s Technology Engineering culture.

*Please note we will also post Software Engineering internships at our World Headquarters in Des Moines, Iowa on September 14th.

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 a Software Engineer Intern, project involvement could include:

• Delivering customer centric solutions that incorporate desired capabilities, security, scalability, and performance
• Collaborating with your scrum team to design, develop, test, deploy, maintain and improve software and systems while also gaining cloud experience
• Solving interesting and complex problems to create a positive customer experience
• Partnering with architecture, technical engineers, and other stakeholders on application design and architecture
• Aiding in improving operations, documenting and demonstrating solutions, and ensuring software is updated and secure
• Developing maintainable and high-quality software by integrating automation tests and following standard processes as laid out by the team

Who You Are

• You are currently pursuing or have completed an undergraduate degree program - in a preferred science, technology, engineering, or math-related field of study
• You are involved in student organizations on your respective campus, within the community, or have prior internship experience 
• You have exceptional communication and organizational skills and a strong work ethic
• You have a passion for technology including technical curiosity and ability to think critically and solution for technology-based problems

Skills That Will Help You Stand Out

• Leadership positions within student, work, or community organizations
• Previous IT internship or relevant work experience
• Proven continuous learning through certifications and/or other non-traditional learning paths
• Technical experience with:
• Development in Java, Python, React, JavaScript, Git, AWS
• Data visualization technologies - R, Business Objects, Informatica, PowerBI, SAS
• Automation tooling
• DevOps, Agile methodologies
• Artificial Intelligence

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)

$28 - $30 / hour

Time Off Program

Paid company holidays and any time off required in your state.

Pension Eligible

No

Work Environments

This role will be located in our Charlotte, NC office location. Individuals in this role are required to work a minimum of 3 days per week in the office.

Internship Stipend

You will receive a lump sum stipend of $4,000. This amount is intended to support incidental expenses you may incur as part of your internship. The Company will provide a tax gross-up on this stipend as a financial benefit but is not intended to compensate for all tax liabilities.

Our Internship Culture

Join an established program that provides hands-on experiences for 200+ interns each year! You'll learn new skills with dedicated teams and mentors, build your professional network and collaborate across a global Fortune 500 company. We care about offering you diverse experiences and exciting challenges that push you to reach for bigger life goals, all while enjoying our flexibility and work life balance. Join us for events such as our Executive Speaker Series, gain career direction, and much more.

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 interns.

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

9/3/2026

Most Recently Posted Date

9/4/2026

Principal uses artificial intelligence tools to assist in reviewing and evaluating job applications, fraud prevention, and candidate matching and comparisons. These AI tools support our human recruiters in the initial review process but do not make final hiring decisions without human involvement. By submitting your application, you acknowledge this use of AI in our recruitment process. Please review our Workforce (U.S.) Privacy Notice for more details on our practices and your data privacy rights.