Senior AI Security Engineer II

Principal Financial Group is a purpose-led firm that builds financial tools to help customers achieve better lives. They are seeking a Senior AI Security Engineer II to join their Information Security & Risk team, focusing on designing and delivering AI-enabled solutions to improve security processes, initially centered around Identity & Access Management.

Responsibilities:

• Partner with security and technology leaders to identify high‑impact opportunities, acting as a hands‑on technical expert who designs and delivers end‑to‑end AI and automation solutions—initially focused on IAM and expanding across ISR
• Design, build, and maintain security automation across cloud and enterprise environments, integrating with CI/CD pipelines, Infrastructure as Code, and APIs to improve response speed, auditability, and operational resilience
• Apply policy‑as‑code, automated control enforcement, and AI‑enabled remediation patterns to support secure baselines, continuous compliance, and alignment with security, risk, and regulatory expectations
• Collaborate across ISR and decentralized teams to understand systems and workflows, driving security outcomes through strong partnerships and influence without formal authority
• Leverage advanced AI techniques (including agentic AI where appropriate) to enhance security operations while maintaining responsible use and oversight
• Contribute to architecture discussions, design reviews, and technical standards, helping shape how ISR adopts and scales AI and automation over time

Requirements:

• Associate's or bachelor's degree (preference in a computer science, technology, engineering or math-related field) or equivalent experience
• 8+ years of professional experience in security, technology, or engineering
• Experience designing, implementing, and operating AI enabled and automation solutions end‑to‑end, including exposure to advanced or agentic AI and AI enabled security capabilities such as anomaly detection, UEBA, or automated remediation
• Comfortable building new capabilities and operating in evolving environments
• Able to navigate ambiguity and help define direction in partnership with leaders and teams
• Collaborative, consultative problem‑solver who can navigate ambiguity, build alignment, and deliver results across multiple teams
• Curious, adaptable, and motivated to continuously learn as AI, automation, and security technologies evolve
• Able to collaborate across teams and partners, communicate clearly with diverse audiences, and influence outcomes without formal authority
• Experience applying AI responsibly within security workflows, balancing innovation with risk awareness through appropriate governance, guardrails, and human‑in‑the‑loop practices
• Background in information security, with IAM experience
• Experience applying automation and AI in regulated environments, translating security and compliance frameworks (e.g., NIST, ISO, SOX, PCI) into automated, repeatable technical controls
• Experience contributing as a senior technical partner through design input, technical guidance, and code reviews