Information Security Engineer Internship - Des Moines, IA (Summer 2027)

Principal Financial Group operates at the intersection of financial services and technology, building financial tools that help customers achieve financial security. The Information Security Engineer Intern will work on real information security projects in an Agile team environment, potentially supporting cyber defense, governance and compliance, identity and access management, insider risk, data protection, or security automation.

What you'll do:

• Serves as the front line of cyber defense by monitoring, detecting, investigating, and responding to potential security threats and vulnerabilities across Principal’s networks, systems, and applications
• Partners with business and technology teams to establish security policies, standards, and controls. This team helps identify, assess, and manage information security risks while providing insight into the organization’s overall risk posture
• Designs, implements, and supports enterprise identity, authentication, and access management solutions that help ensure users have secure and appropriate access to company resources
• Monitors and analyzes user activity to identify potential insider threats, policy violations, and risky behaviors. The team works to strengthen prevention, detection, investigation, and response capabilities to protect the organization from internal risks
• Safeguards sensitive information by implementing controls and technologies that help ensure data is securely stored, accessed, shared, and transmitted across the organization
• Develops and maintains automated solutions that improve the efficiency and effectiveness of security operations. The team leverages automation, orchestration, and integrations to streamline workflows and reduce manual effort

What they're looking for:

• Currently pursuing or have completed an undergraduate degree program - in a preferred science, technology, engineering, or math-related field of study
• Involvement in student organizations on your respective campus, within the community, or have prior internship experience
• Exceptional communication and organizational skills and a strong work ethic
• Passion for technology including technical curiosity and ability to think critically and solution for technology-based problems
• This role will be in Des Moines, IA. Individuals in this role are required to work a minimum of 3 days per week in the office
• 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
• Interest in and/or experience with information security technologies, tools, and concepts
• Leadership experience in student, professional, or community organizations
• Previous IT internship or relevant work experience
• Proven continuous learning through certifications, training, research, or other non-traditional learning paths
• Technical experience with:
• Programming and/or scripting languages

Benefits:

• Opportunity to participate in a bonus program
• Paid company holidays and any time off required in your state.
• You will receive a lump sum stipend of $4,000.
• The Company will provide a tax gross-up on this stipend as a financial benefit.
• You'll learn new skills with dedicated teams and mentors, build your professional network and collaborate across a global Fortune 500 company.
• Our flexibility and work life balance.
• Events such as our Executive Speaker Series
• Gain career direction