Director of Engineering, Cyber GRC Data, AI & Automation

Principal Financial Group • UNAVAILABLE, UNAVAILABLE

11d

About The Position

The Director of Engineering will lead the technology transformation of data, AI, automation, and modern engineering capabilities across Cyber Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC) within the Information Security & Risk organization. The role owns the strategy and technical roadmap for GRC data, analytics, AI, automation, and platforms, with measurable goals that include reducing manual effort, increasing automation and control visibility, strengthening data quality, and improving risk decision-making.

The director will modernize GRC technology and platforms, build cybersecurity analytics and risk intelligence, advance AI and Continuous Controls Monitoring, and establish secure, reusable, sustainable engineering and data practices. The role influences decisions across GRC, Information Security, Technology, Enterprise Data, Audit, and Compliance, translating complex risk, control, and business needs into scalable solutions. It also builds and sustains a high-performing technical organization through talent development, workforce and capacity planning, succession planning, and capability development.

The position offers in-office, hybrid, and remote arrangements. Remote work is available only to employees residing more than 30 miles from Des Moines, Iowa; Charlotte, North Carolina; and Raleigh, North Carolina. The specific arrangement is determined with the leader based on several factors.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree, preferably in computer sciences, information systems, or business administration, or equivalent experience.
• 10+ years of relevant experience leading data engineering, analytics engineering, software engineering, automation, or related technical capabilities in a complex enterprise environment, including leadership of technical teams and large-scale cross-functional initiatives.
• Formal people leadership experience, with a track record of coaching and developing talent and building a culture of accountability and collaboration.
• Strong knowledge of modern data and software engineering practices, including data architecture, integrations, APIs, cloud data platforms, data governance, analytics, SQL, and Python.
• Experience translating cybersecurity, risk, compliance, controls, or complex business requirements into scalable technology solutions, including AI-enabled solutions and automation.
• Demonstrated success leading technology modernization while maintaining critical operational services.
• Strong strategic planning and executive communication skills, and the ability to develop technical talent and influence across business and technology teams.

Nice To Haves

• 6+ years of formal people leadership, including leading modernization or product-oriented engineering teams.
• Experience in cybersecurity, GRC, technology risk, controls, audit, or assurance, ideally within financial services, insurance, or another highly regulated environment.
• Experience with enterprise technologies such as Snowflake, Microsoft Fabric/Azure, Power BI, ServiceNow IRM, Power Platform, or similar platforms.
• Experience applying generative or agentic AI, machine learning, intelligent automation, Continuous Controls Monitoring, or automated controls and assurance capabilities.
• Familiarity with cybersecurity and controls frameworks such as NIST, ISO 27001, COBIT, CIS Controls, or SOX, including experience supporting executive, Board, audit, regulatory, or cybersecurity risk reporting.

Responsibilities

• Shape and communicate a multi-year Cyber GRC technology strategy and roadmap, prioritizing engineering, data, AI, analytics, and automation investments.
• Modernize GRC technology and platforms, including ServiceNow IRM, Snowflake, Microsoft technologies, Power BI, integrations, and related solutions, while strengthening scalability, resiliency, reliability, and sustainable delivery.
• Build trusted data, cybersecurity analytics, and risk intelligence capabilities across controls, vulnerabilities, security awareness and phishing, compliance, assurance, and emerging risk.
• Advance AI, intelligent automation, and Continuous Controls Monitoring to streamline processes and automate evidence and controls activities, with appropriate governance, security, monitoring, human oversight, and performance measurement.
• Establish modern engineering and data practices across architecture, development, integration, data governance, AI, and automation.
• Influence technology strategy and decisions across GRC, Information Security, Technology, Enterprise Data, Audit, and Compliance, and drive alignment across technical and business partners.
• Build and sustain a high-performing technical organization, developing talent and future leaders.
• Lead workforce and capacity planning, succession, and capability development across data engineering, AI, automation, analytics, and GRC platforms.

Benefits

• Non-sales positions have the opportunity to participate in a bonus program.
• Flexible Time Off (FTO) for salaried (exempt) employees, with paid time away for vacation, personal needs, or short-term illness and no set number of days.
• Pension eligibility.
• Comprehensive, competitive benefit offerings designed to support employees’ physical, financial, and social well-being.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director